2025/26 Season has begun.. here's the updates of my opinion -

Squad:

Goalkeepers

1 Nathan Bishop Games Played 4 Average Rating = 8.50

20 Joe McDonnell Games Played 1 Average Rating = 7.00 Defenders

2 Nathan Asiimwe Games Played 5 Average Rating = 8.20

3 Steve Seddon Games Played 5 Average Rating = 7.80

5 Sam Hutchinson Games Played 0 Average Rating = 0

6 Ryan Johnson Games Played 5 Average Rating = 7.60

15 Sam Bauer Games Played 1 Average Rating = 8.00

26 Riley Harbottle Games Played 5 Average Rating = 7.80

25 Ethan Sutcliffe Games Played 0 Average Rating = 0

31 Joe Lewis Games Played 3 Average Rating = 8.00

33 Isaac Ogundere Games Played 5 Average Rating = 8.20

Midfielders

4 Jake Reeves Games Played 5 Average Rating = 7.40

8 Callum Maycock Games Played 3 Average Rating = 7.00

12 Allistair Smith Games Played 4 Average Rating = 7.50

18 Delano McCoy-Splatt Games Played 0 Average Rating = 0

21 Myles Hippolyte Games Played 5 Average Rating = 7.60

24 Harry Sidwell Loaned to Enfield Town

29 Aron Sasu Games Played 2 Average Rating = 7.00

Forwarders

7 Danilo Orsi Games Played 4 Average Rating = 6.75

9 Omar Bugiel Games Played 3 Average Rating = 8.00

10 Josh Kelly Games Played 1 Average Rating = 6.00

11 Marcus Browne Games Played 4 Average Rating = 8.00

14 Matty Stevens Games Played 4 Average Rating = 7.75

16 Antwoine Hackford Games Played 4 Average Rating = 7.25

19 Osman Foyo Games Played 0 Average Rating = 0

Youngsters

22 Riley Horan Loaned to Walton & Hersham

23 Leo Young Loaned to Hasting United

27 Ed Leach Loaned to Whitehawk

30 Junior Nkeng Games Played 1 Average Rating = 8.00

32 Kai Jennings Loaned to Whitehawk

CONTRACTS:

Ending June 2026

Steve Seddon, Jake Reeves, Sam Hutchinson, Callum Maycock,

Omar Bugiel, Josh Kelly, Myles Hippolyte, Leo Young,

Harry Sidwell, Ethan Sutcliffe, Riley Harbottle, Aron Sasu,

Joe Lewis, Kai Jennings, Isaac Ogundere,

Nathan Asiimwe (On Loan from Charlton Athletic)

Ending June 2027

Ryan Johnson Danilo Orsi Marcus Browne Allistair Smith

Matty Stevens Antwoine Hackford (1 Year Ext Option) Delano McCoy-Splatt Osman Foyo Joe McDonnell Riley Horan Ed Leach

Junior Nkeng

Ending June 2028

Nathan Bishop

 Update #5- First defeat report this season

  Sunday 23rd August 2025

For the first time this season I am reporting on a Dons defeat and nobody appears to care. The players tried but weren’t that fussed, the fans didn’t bother turning up or cheering or singing, the management chose second string and youth players and just a general apathy around everything and the Dons didn’t bother that much either.

 Royals 2      V  Dons 1

              Away at the empty shell that was the Select Car Leasing Stadium the home of Reading FC the team that are in the hat for the third round of the Carabao Cup the Dons bow out despite from my point of view spending much of the first half and plenty of the second in command but what we were guilty of was the same as Reading in the League encounter just a few weeks back. That being not taking chances when they present themselves there were very few in this game full stop, but when they did show I think we were about even and to be completely honest it took a cock-up from the player selected in the team of the week and recent player of the match Mr Johnson to be completely out of position as the R’s broke and snatched the lead in the 70^th minute. A lead in truth they never looked like relinquishing, finishing with a comfortable 2-1 win.

              In the first half the teams exchanged goals from another rocket to take the lead for the Royals to a well-placed header from Bugiel to level up what felt like moments later. The Dons unusually dominated possession at times and looked good composed and ready to take advantage at any stage, however they did not.

              The game was the second round of the League Cup and realistically it was not important for either side to use first team players and although Reading had better youngsters and more of them the Dons gave run outs for the back-up squad and a debut for the new centre back who performed well in his first outing for the Wombles. The left wing-back performed ok on his first team competitive debut (I don’t care about the Mikey Mouse Trophy - till the ‘the finals’).  Although a little rough around the edges there were plenty of positive signs the big negatives for me were already showing themselves and last night sadly drew some neat lines underneath those concerns. Firstly Josh Kelly desperately needs to score goals at this or any professional level, he has had the chances but not taken them enough times. He works so hard and puts himself around the pitch but not enough to score the goals to warrant a regular start. Aron Sasu has all the attributes needed but rarely has an end product of a decent shot or a good cross.  Transfer window closes this week and replacing or loaning out either could be a good option. I don’t want either to go but I don’t think we can afford the wage of someone not doing what is needed of them. Tough and I hate saying it. Here’s the scores from last night:

Scores for Players (Out of 10)

20- McDonnell 7,

 4- Reeves 7,

 7- Orsi 6,

8- Maycock 7,

 9- Bugiel 8, 

15- Bauer 8,

16- Hackford 7,

26- Harbottle 8,

29- Sasu 7

30- Nkeng 8,

33- Ogundere 8,

 SUBS -

 1- Bishop /, Unused sub

 2- Asiimwe 7, On for (#7) Orsi - 71 min

 3- Seddon 7, On for (#30) Nkeng - 71 min

6- Johnson 6, On for (#15) Bauer - 66min

10- Kelly 6, On for(#16) Hackford - 71 min

12- Smith /, Unused sub

19- Foyo /, Unused sub

21- Hippolyte 7, On for (#4) Reeves - 79min

  Match Official

 Referee 6 , [Jacob Miles]

Assistants 7,

 Update #4 - Plough Lane Bouncing

  Sunday 23rd August 2025

This team never stops amazing me with the attacking fire power that the away side could weald I personally came into this one ready for another good performance but disappointment again. The Tykes, undefeated in the league so far came into London brimming with confidence and looking to add to their tally for the climb up the table. I was in the same frame of mind so I was pleasantly surprised by...

 Dons 2      V  Tykes 0

After a bit of a shaky start the away side should have taken the lead without a worldie of a save from Bishop between the sticks in the Dons goal. Point blank with only the keeper between McGoldrick and a bulging net. Extremely impressive throughout and deserving his clean sheet Nathan Bishop was awesome. With a back five fighting for everything even with the absence of the talisman of Joe Lewis an amazing team display saw the Dons take the lead from a good finish from Matty Stevens before the Tykes started the second half in dominant form. A change from JJ saw a new front line which paid dividends with sub Antwoine Hackford scoring against the run of play with a sublime finish against the inside of the post to settle the game. The game did not petter out but rather saw efforts nearly taken at both ends before the end. Both sides hit the woodwork during the game and at least three one on one's with keepers that didn't end in goals. It could have finished 5-3 but two was enough to beat a strong side.

Really please with result keeps the Dons in 10th and more importantly 7 points above the relegation zone which is great this early in the season. Yes, still lots of football to go and a long auld season to navigate as well. Winter to get through and bans and injuries etc etc but we take the positives while we can and at the moment its great so lets enjoy it!

Here's the player scores:

Scores for Players (Out of 10)

 1- Bishop 9,  

 2- Asiimwe 8,

 3- Seddon 8, 

 4- Reeves 8,

 6- Johnson 8,

11- Browne 8,

12- Smith 8,

14- Stevens 8,

21- Hippolyte 9,

26- Harbottle 8,

33- Ogundere 8,

 SUBS -

8- Maycock 7, On for (#21) Hippolyte - 85 min

9- Bugiel 8, On for (#14) Stevens - 64min

15- Bauer /,   Unused sub

16- Hackford 8,   On for (#11) Browne - 65min

 20- McDonnell /, Unused sub  

7- Orsi /, Unused sub

29- Sasu /, Unused sub

  Match Official

 Referee 7, [Ollie Yates]

Assistants 6,

 Update #3 - Bluebirds are singing in Summer...

  Wednesday 20th August 2025

I shall begin with some admin as I forgot to add the player scores for the Reading game so it has been added below. Secondly useless facts time as Bluebirds the nickname of the opposition are not native to the UK. It was popular in WW2 songs written by American who do have native Bluebirds. There you go the beginning is all done.

 Dons 0      V  Bluebirds 1

I said in update #1 that I didn't want to just write match reports but then promptly do exactly that for the Reading game. I will try and return to what I hoped would be the norm this time. As we played a former Premier League team that had nestled in the Championship for what seems like a long time. They dropped into League 1 and for me still have a Championship team and for large parts of the game - it looked like it.

It was backs against the wall for most of the game. To be fair the teams were evenly placed as we are defensive and they wanted to attack. It did reach a point where they appeared to run out of ideas and the Dons looked the more likely to nick the win but fate and the footballing gods can be a cruel master sometimes as after the attacking last 20 minutes the Dons conceded the only goal of the game in the 92nd minute.

Strangely my feelings straight after the game was that of frustration but it went numb quickly where I just didn't mind the defeat. Ultimately, we played a team who should be winning this league if it weren't for others in the same position. So to go toe to toe with them and to just come up short is good but concerning. Point one is that we could have nicked a point or three in this game and really chuffed with coming that close with both Luton and Cardiff is something to be proud of being little Wimbledon with the 24th largest budget out of the 24 teams in this league. I have not seen one prediction of us staying in the division and all bar one had us finishing bottom of the league. Which is winning 50% of the league games so far is going well.

Point two is that the two defeats have similar themes in playing really well (defensively) but then falling to a late goal which can be really demoralising. I hope there is enough spirit in the team to keep bouncing back after horrid unfair results. Currently there appears to be but time will tell. The fight in the squad is a major positive for this side and needs to keep going. The fans have been awesome so far as well this season which also helps. Lets see what happens with the next ex-Premiership teams this coming Saturday where we face Barnsley. I will remember to put the player scores on here this time!

Scores for Players (Out of 10)

 1- Bishop 8,  

 2- Asiimwe 8,

 3- Seddon 8, 

 4- Reeves 7,

 6- Johnson 8,

7- Orsi 7,

12- Smith 7,

14- Stevens 7,

21- Hippolyte 7,

31- Lewis 7,

33- Ogundere 9,

 SUBS -

 8- Maycock /, Unused sub

9- Bugiel 8, On for (#7) Orsi - 63min

11- Browne 8, On for (#21) Hippolyte - 63 min

16- Hackford 7, On for (#14) Stevens - 63min

20- McDonnell /, Unused sub  

26- Harbottle 8, On for (#31) Lewis - 28min

29- Sasu /, On for (#3) Seddon - 89 min

  Match Official

 Referee 9 , [David Rock]

Assistants 7,

 Update #2 - Reading between the lines...

  Sunday 17th August 2025

The season is stepping up after the Lincoln City game we faced a battling Gillingham side who despite going down by a goal thought back to equalise and then stole the win late in the game. It went to penalties and the Dons won through. Setting up a tie again our next league opponents Reading. A game I was late to decide that I actually attended, so here's the report.

 Royals 1      V  Dons 2

Oh the fun I had coming up with that unique title after playing Reading FC away in the third league game of the season. This was my first away game of the season and the Dons first away league win of the season. The ebb and flow of the game was a strange one as the home side started like a rocket dominating possession and chances although nothing really clear cut until they broke right down the middle of the pitch and was heading into the box with a three verses two. The player breaking squared it to the number 9, Ehibhatiomhan squared the ball again and with the goal wide open and free for a tap in. He blazed the ball over with the chance that could have lead to a very different result. In the thirty second minute Nathan Asiimwe did some great work down the right sending a tempting cross to the unmarked Matty Stevens who headed into the back of the net. The remainder of the half played out with little opportunity at either end. Second started with the Royals took to the field with a flea in their ear and fired up but this came to nothing and the dons soon wrestled back control. Coming close with a Marcus Browne effort and then a low cross across the six yard box with Hackford baring down on goal. With 69 minutes on the clock and just as we were running into the box our attacker was brought down for a free-kick. The kick was basically on the 'T' of the 18 yard box and the touchline. Myles Hippolyte came and stood on the corner of the 18 yard box and no one bothered to mark him. The goalkeeper screamed and shouted but no-one listened. The free-kick was passed to Myles with defenders charging towards him. He simply player the ball to a waiting Marcus Broome who fired on goal taking a wicked deflection the ball nestled in the bottom right corner of the net.

The game then petered out to a comfortable 2-0 win and Reading accepted their fate. Well that was until the 85th minute when Lewis Wing hit a worldie from 25 yards that curled into the top right corner. Suddenly the Royals strung into life and throwing everything forward. I was actually worried for the first time in about an hour. Bishop was forced into a great save and then had to cope with many other lumps into the box. The dons held out and claimed the three points. The boyz done good and really had to work for that win and that is what is required this season as I don't think any victory will be plain sailing.

It's left us 10th in the table and two wins from three matches. So far so good but there is still a hell of a long way to go but for this particular dons fan I have a lot more confidence about this season now that before a ball was kicked.

Scores for Players (Out of 10)

1- Bishop 9

2- Asiimwe 9,

3- Seddon 8,

4- Reeves 8,

6- Johnson 8,

11- Browne 9,

12- Smith 8,

14- Stevens 8,

16- Hackford 7,

31- Lewis 9,

33- Ogundere 9,

SUBS -

7- Orsi 7, On for (#14) Stevens - 81min

8- Maycock /, Unused sub

9- Bugiel /, On for (#11) Browne - 81min

20- McDonnell /, Unused sub

21- Hippolyte 8, On for (#16) Hackford - 58min

26- Harbottle 8, On for (#6) Johnson - 74min

29- Sasu /, Unused sub

  Match Official

Referee 9 , [Jamie O'Connell]

Assistants 9,

 Update #1 - Its Baaaaaack...

  Saturday 9th August 2025

The season has started we had an off-season full of woe and pessimism so much negativity over he lack of signing and the season looming. Then we start the season away to a hot favourite for the league title and we lose to a late own goal and everyone is celebrating and expecting a great season ahead of us. And then onto today...

Dons 2 V Imps 0

I never really wanted this to become a match report although that is how it normally turns out. Today we started evenly which then became Lincoln started to take a grip of the game. We as a team that is happy defending and looking to break down and make the most of transitions, so it appeared that would be the case. Until the 23rd minute where Adam Jackson saw red after putting his studs into the chest of Matty Stevens. I honestly think he was purely going for the ball and in fact won the ball but followed through into his chest. Matty didn't help his cause by grabbing his head and rolling around bit I would assume it would hurt. Off he went and if that wasn't bad enough for the visitors when Sonny Bradley blocked a shot by pushed the ball wide with his hands. A penalty and the opening goal of the game for Matty Stevens followed. The Imps where in shell shock and all over the place until half time where it stayed 1-0. Second half the game began with a confusing sense as it was hard to tell who had the extra man. It wasn't help by the referee (possibly in 'even it out' mode) given us very little in the second half particularly in the attacking half. I feel the Imps would be saying the same. The second goal came from the new right wing back Nathan Asiimwe who brought the ball down spun to slot the ball home. He was later brought down in the penalty area which was not given but he stood up and the ball came back to him and he some how managed to put it well over the bar. The game kind of petered out with the home side creating all the chances whilst the imps were happy to hear the final whistle and head home for the evening.

It feels good to get a win early in the season as on paper this season starts with a horrible run of four ex-Premier League teams in the first five games. This was the other one and we won it so fingers cross that can bring that form into the next three games. Next up is Reading away and then Cardiff City at home on a Tuesday night. We are back baby!! Here's the Player Scores today:

# Surname Points (out of 10)

1- Bishop 8

2- Asiimwe 9

3- Seddon 8

Subbed off on 74 mins for -

29- Sasu 7

4- Reeves 7

6- Johnson 8

11- Browne 7

Subbed off on 74 mins for -

8- Maycock 7

12- Smith 7

14- Stevens 8

Subbed off on 59 mins for -

16- Hackford 8

21- Hippolyte 7

Subbed off on 58 Mins for -

7- Orsi 7

31- Lewis 8

Subbed off on 91mins for -

26- Harbottle 7

33- Ogundere 8

Match Official 8