Stevenage vs AFC Wimbledon @ Broadhall Way
Saturday January 9 @ 3pm
AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley, fresh off his League 2 manager of the month award, will hope to put behind the loss of Matt Tubbs as his team travels to Stevenage.
Tubbs, who scored 15 goals this season, was recalled by parent club AFC Bournemouth this week and seems set to join Portsmouth, forcing Ardley into a squad restructure.
The Dons will be on a high after Monday’s heroic FA Cup performance against Liverpool, where despite losing 2-1 they pushed their Premier League opponents all the way.
In the league, Ardley’s men are on good form too, having managed four wins in the last five games including a 4-1 demolition against ninth place Exeter.
They are only two points behind Stevenage in the league and five points off the play-offs.
In Stevenage they face a side largely unchanged from the one that played in League 1 last season.
Charlie Lee, Chris Whelpdale and Dean Parrett are all more than capable at this level and the Dons will have to be wary when travelling to Broadhall Way.
Graham Westley, in his third spell at The Boro, has also taken the opportunity to permanently sign two loan players from Peterborough, midfielder Tom Conlon and defender Michael Richens, to bolster his team
Neal Ardley has also taken the opportunity to make a signing bringing in Jake Reeves after his contract with Swindon Town expired.
Reeves, 21, had a loan spell at Kingsmeadow for the 2012-13 season and will likely slot into midfield for Saturday’s game.
Star Man: Adebayo Akinfenwa- Made himself a hero with the goal against Liverpool and will look to fill the void left by Matt Tubbs.
Danger Man: Charlie Lee- With seven goals from midfield, the 28-year-old can always make an impact.
Last Encounter: Wimbledon 2-3 Stevenage (Tubbs, Azeez; Wells, Lancaster, Lee)
Referee: Graham Horwood
Picture courtesy of Matthew Black, with thanks
