2025/26 Season has begun.. here's the updates of my opinion -
- Peter Slade
- Aug 9
- 22 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Squad:
Goalkeepers
1 Nathan Bishop Games Played 9 Average Rating = 8.00
20 Joe McDonnell Games Played 1 Average Rating = 7.67
Defenders
2 Nathan Asiimwe Games Played 9 Average Rating = 7.50
3 Steve Seddon Games Played 10 Average Rating = 7.50
5 Sam Hutchinson Games Played 0 Average Rating = 0
6 Ryan Johnson Games Played 9 Average Rating = 7.00
15 Patrick Bauer Games Played 5 Average Rating = 7.40
26 Riley Harbottle Games Played 9 Average Rating = 7.33
25 Ethan Sutcliffe Games Played 0 Average Rating = 0
31 Joe Lewis Games Played 5 Average Rating = 7.20
33 Isaac Ogundere Games Played 10 Average Rating = 8.17
Midfielders
4 Jake Reeves Games Played 10 Average Rating = 7.40
8 Callum Maycock Games Played 8 Average Rating = 6.57
12 Allistair Smith Games Played 9 Average Rating = 6.78
18 Delano McCoy-Splatt Games Played 1 Average Rating = 5.00
21 Myles Hippolyte Games Played 9 Average Rating = 7.33
24 Harry Sidwell Loaned to Enfield Town
29 Aron Sasu Games Played 4 Average Rating = 6.25
Forwarders
7 Danilo Orsi Games Played 9 Average Rating = 6.00
9 Omar Bugiel Games Played 8 Average Rating = 7.38
10 Josh Kelly Games Played 1 Average Rating = 6.00
Loaned to Woking
11 Marcus Browne Games Played 7 Average Rating = 7.14
14 Matty Stevens Games Played 6 Average Rating = 7.67
16 Antwoine Hackford Games Played 8 Average Rating = 6.88
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
Loaned to Chelmsford City
32 Kai Jennings Loaned to Whitehawk
REFEREES: 7.83
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,
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 Isaac Ogundere,
Ending June 2028
Nathan Bishop
Update #10 - Wow Was Update 9's Title Wrong!!
Sunday 2nd November 2025
The FA Cup finally began we a nice easy tie against National League side Gateshead about half the usual attendance could be bothered to come and watch and those that didn't come along I am so jealous. Anyway here's many negative words to describe yesterdays outing.
Dons 0 V The Heed 2
No monkey's today as we got off to a flier with chance after chance raining down on the opposition goal. Is a sentence I would have loved to begun with unfortunately the first shot on target happened in the 34th minute. The Dons were already a goal down by then. It was against the run of play maybe but my, it was a cracking break and a sweet finish into the bottom corner. Bishop had no chance and the defence were chasing shadows. This set the pattern of play to be followed for most of the game. The Dons huffing and puffing and the away side breaking with pace and terrifying the three centre backs. After a few boos and general silence greeting the half-time whistle. The pattern continued in the second half where the home sides panic steadily increased as time ticked away and the visitors added a second after another good effort was saved by Bishop and no defenders followed up it got what it deserved getting spanked into the back of the net.
Now on another day I would complain about the lack of penalties given by the referee and the handball in the build up to the second goal. The shirt pulling being ignored and all the timewasting going unpunished but honestly I am upset with us more than them. If you are 2 up away to someone 57 places above you in the league you would deploy all the dark arts you could to try and get away with it to kill the game off. People were leaving as early as the 80th minute and there was half the usual amount to start with. Chalk this up to a bad NO scrap that make it a shit day at the office and move onto trying the fix the league form as come Tuesday we could/should have no more interest of cup competitions for the season. Here's the awful player scores:
Scores for Players (Out of 10)
1- Bishop 6,
3- Seddon 4,
4- Reeves 5,
6- Johnson 4,
8- Maycock 3,
9- Bugiel 4,
12- Smith 4,
16- Hackford 5,
26- Harbottle 4,
29- Sasu 4,
31- Lewis 5,
SUBS -
2- Asiimwe /, Unused sub
5- Hutchinson /, Unused sub
7- Orsi 3, On for (#9) Bugiel - HT
11- Browne 5, On for (#8) Maycock - 59 min
15- Bauer /, Unused sub
18- McCoy-Splatt 5, On for (#12) Smith - 79 min
20- McDonnell /, Unused sub
21- Hippolyte 5, On for (#16) Hackford - 59 min
33- Ogundere 6, On for (#26) Harbottle -HT
Match Official
Referee 7, [Aaron Farmer]
Assistants 6,
Update #9 - From the highs to the worst!!
Saturday 25th October 2025
Back to Plough Lane with the opportunity of going top of the table with a win and a Stevenage and Bradford draw elsewhere in the country. With struggling Burton Albion coming into town everything was set for a mouth watering victory with plenty to smile about. If you know the Dons the way I know the Dons then you could have predicted the performance today.
Dons 0 V The Brewers 1
We had another monkey of a first half.
Which only livened up when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Browne in the box. This was taken by Bugiel who put it low to the keepers right who palmed the shot away. It bounced back out to an onrushing forward who hit the post and was cleared away.
No shots on target beyond the penalty. The crucial moment occurred when the Brewers winger bought a freekick flopping on the floor, but I am not complaining about that really or the referee who was consistent throughout the game. The free kick was a peach and Hartridge’s beat everyone and went straight into the top right corner. Of the home net.
To prove a point the Dons first shot on target from play happened in the final 10 minutes of the 90. They quickly followed it with another but despite huffing and puffing defeat was the final verdict and zip-oh points for the first time in a while.
The chance to go top was gone and the season still seems positive so far although another of missed chances after working really hard to get the opportunity in the first place. We had some players out but really not many. Today is a game we should be winning and one that could become crucial come the end of the season.
But if you are any kind of Dons fan you get used to saying hey-ho we go again and see you all next week.
Scores for Players (Out of 10)
1- Bishop 7,
2- Asiimwe 7,
3- Seddon 8,
4- Reeves 6,
6- Johnson 6,
9- Bugiel 6,
11- Browne 6,
12- Smith 6,
15- Bauer 6,
21- Hippolyte 6,
33- Ogundere 7,
SUBS -
5- Hutchinson /, Unused sub
7- Orsi 6, On for (#9) Bugiel - 76 min
8- Maycock /, Unused sub
16- Hackford 6, On for (#21) Hippolyte - 60 min
20- McDonnell /, Unused sub
26- Harbottle 6, On for (#15) Bauer - 61 min
29- Sasu 7, On for (#2) Asiimwe - 60 min
Match Official
Referee 8, [Ben Atkinson]
Assistants 7,
Update #8 - High Five!
Saturday 11th October 2025
We returned to Plough Lane after a period of away games punctuated with the sacking of the last team's manager we beat. Namely Blackpool and Steve Bruce who was close to the chopping block before we beat them 2-0. Meaning we came into today's action on the crest of a wave of four wins on the bounce a feat not achieved since 2021. Facing a physically strong and skillful Port Vale side who had turned a poor start to the season around and was looking up the table.
Dons 1 V The Valiants 1
From a Wimbledon point of view there are few ways to describe the first half action for the Wombles.
Dominated by the Valiants with lots of pressure and half chances created although the Dons keeper never really needed to make a save. They did hit the crossbar and had all the play, just never the clinical edge required to break down the organised Womble defence. The Dons finally managed to get into the opposition penalty area at the 30 minute mark. Then went straight back in there again two minutes later and nearly stole the lead. Things evened out but not neither keeper needed to make a save before the half time intermission.
The second half started with a bang as both sides started like they had just had a rocket from the respective managers. The Dons were on top for the first 10 minutes and Port Vale slowly wrestled control away from the home side building pressure again. It evened out after that and chances were had at both ends. Finally to my relief Danilo Orsi was removed and replaced by Antwoine Hackford. He found himself some space inside the penalty area so bang the ball home on 72 minutes.
The game changes and things became more frantic for the away side and defending became more assured and the Dons looked comfortable. Ready to play out a home win. The Valiants were not done and as I moaned about the foul on Allistair Smith Vale continued playing and despite a great save from Bishop the ball was pushed to Andy Cole's son who lashed it home with four minutes left on the clock to level the score. Watching back Allistair was not fouled or even touched he simply fell over and left the ball for the opposition. The score was level and that's how it finished.
Port Vale have been one of the best teams I have seen in the last two seasons (well this one and the last) and they probably deserved the win but that said the Dons defence deserves massive credit against a good side who will be up there come the end of the season. However, we are there now and looking solid to hold off the barrage from the chasing pack at least for a few weeks. Here's the scores:
Scores for Players (Out of 10)
1- Bishop 9,
2- Asiimwe 7,
3- Seddon 7,
4- Reeves 9,
7- Orsi 6,
9- Bugiel 8,
11- Browne 7,
12- Smith 6,
15- Bauer 9,
26- Harbottle 9,
33- Ogundere 8,
SUBS -
5- Hutchinson /, Unused sub
8- Maycock 7, On for (#11) Browne - 77 min
16- Hackford 8, On for (#7) Orsi - 67 min
17- Hughes /, Unused sub
18- McCoy-Splatt /, Unused sub
20- McDonnell /, Unused sub
29- Sasu /, Unused sub
Match Official
Referee 9, [Carl Brook]
Assistants 9,
Update #7 - Breathe Held...
Saturday 27th September 2025
Here we are a fortnight since the last home and the last game I attended. We were back at the lovely Cherry Red Records Stadium. OK I never call it that I call it Plough Lane as that what it should be called. Today we faced the villains that were Wycombe Wanderers that a few seasons ago would dive and kick their way through this league and got promoted to the Championship with our (not theirs) Adebayo Akinfenwa. OK he achieved more with them than us but I am biased.
Sorry I digress, today we played Wanderers who had started to fix their poor start to the season with two wins on the bounce they came into town and found a Wimbledon side that decided to put in their best performance for a half this season and may be last season as well. Here a match summary:
Dons 2 V The Chairboys 1
As already mentioned the Dons started like a rocket with a shot flying past the post. This was rapidly followed by Myles Hippolyte beating the offside trap and having a free run at goal with just the keeper to beat slotting the ball past the post. 0-0 and I for one were concerned that missed chances would come back to haunt us. A free kick broke the deadlock curled in by the superb Steve Seddon and flicked into the bottom corner of the goal by the head of Omar Bugiel. If this wasn't enough Steve Seddon scored the second goal of the day while Bugiel returned the favour by setting up Seddon's strike. It was all Dons for the rest of the half and it could or should have been more. It wasn't and half time was a very comfortable 2-0 scoreline.
Second half started like the teams had swapped shirts. It was all Wanderers they piled on the pressure and the Wombles had a terrible storm to weather. I thought they had done so when the knees of Ewan Henderson looped the ball over everyone including Johnson on the goal-line who seemed to wave the ball in thinking it was going wide. The Chairboys had their reply and more importantly the motivation to seek more from the game.
Much more fired up the away side looked the better from then to the end of the game. Wimbledon broke and created chances from set plays but the traffic was predominantly going in the other direction. The equaliser never came although the away fans may argue that they had the ball in the net but what I saw was the lino give us the throw and then freeze in place while Wycombe take the throw and then go onto score. They went on to score but he did not move. When the ref finally caught up with him the throw was reversed and the goal ruled out and the game continued. Nothing too dramatic for Bishop to do in the home sides goal and the game finished 2-1. The Dons moved up to 4th briefly until the other games finished a few hours later and they now sit 6th and within the play-off places which ten games in is amazing. However there is still a long, long way to go and many more tough tests await us.
Oh nearly forgot the scores for the players:
Scores for Players (Out of 10)
1- Bishop 8,
2- Asiimwe 6,
3- Seddon 9,
4- Reeves 8,
6- Johnson 7,
9- Bugiel 9,
12- Smith 8,
14- Stevens 7,
21- Hippolyte 6,
31- Lewis 7,
33- Ogundere 8,
SUBS -
7- Orsi 5, On for (#9) Bugiel - 76min
8- Maycock 7, On for (#21) Hippolyte - 68 min
15- Bauer 7, On for (#31) Lewis - 91 min
18- McCoy-Splatt /, Unused sub
20- McDonnell /, Unused sub
26- Harbottle /, Unused sub
29- Sasu /, Unused sub
Match Official
Referee 8, [Scott Jackson]
Assistants 8,
Update #6 - Retribution...
Saturday 13th September 2025
For what seems an age and 4 defeats on the bounce we were back at Plough Lane for a home league game. We faced a former Championship club in Rotherham United a team that I think beat us the last time I went to see them play us. Today was a very game to that one...
Dons 2 V Millers 1
The retribution was that of the player that scored with less than 10 minutes to go in the first half to give Rotherham the lead, gave it very large to the home fans and we had to be patient for the retribution. It came in the second half as he was busy wrestling our forward to the ground another defender had Johnson in a headlock equally performing WWE moves. With his protest going on non-listening ears it was his protest that gave me such joy today. The penalty was scored and turned out to be the winning goal after a sublime finish with the outside of his boot from outside the box from Jake Reeves 17 minutes earlier.
He was later bundled over and stayed down waiting for some response from the referee when none came he got up and hobbled toward the ref to complain. When the referee just walked past him the rather bad limp he had miraculously disappeared as he turned to follow him. Walking perfectly fine.
I was particularly pleased with this win as they deployed the dark-arts from minute one. I can live with physical but don't complain when it comes back at you and definitely do not dive all over the place whinging and whining about no whistles when you are giving it the full elbows and antagonistically play the game in that style. The phrase is those that play by the sword etc etc. Well pleased we beat them and I would love a double in the away leg but that is a long long way away.
Nice, short and sweet today and here's the players scores from me:
Scores for Players (Out of 10)
1- Bishop 8,
2- Asiimwe 8,
3- Seddon 8,
4- Reeves 9,
6- Johnson 8,
9- Bugiel 8,
12- Smith 7,
14- Stevens 8,
15- Bauer 7,
21- Hippolyte 8,
33- Ogundere 8,
SUBS -
7- Orsi 7, On for (#14) Stevens - 88min
8- Maycock 8, On for (#21) Hippolyte - 80 min
16- Hackford 7, On for (#9) Bugiel - 80min
18- McCoy-Splatt /, Unused sub
19- Foyo /, Unused sub
20- McDonnell /, Unused sub
26- Harbottle 8, On for (#15) Bauer - 63 mins
Match Official
Referee 8, [Lee Swabey]
Assistants 8,
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 70th 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
Comments