Exeter City v AFC Wimbledon @ St James Park
Saturday, March 14 2015 @ 3pm
AFC Wimbledon travel to Exeter City this weekend looking to record their first away win in seven attempts.
Neal Ardley’s side last won away from home on Boxing Day, two days before the Grecians were beaten 4-1 at Kingsmeadow, and have failed to score in their past four away fixtures.
If they are to end that barren spell though then Exeter is a good place to visit, with the hosts not having won at St James’ Park in five matches since beating Cheltenham – also on on Boxing Day.
Their overall form has been poor too, with last Saturday’s victory at Carlisle United only their second in 12 games.
The Dons go into the game with two less players in their squad following the retirements this week of centre back Andy Frampton and striker David Connolly.
Frampton, 35, made 39 appearances and scored five goals in a season-and-a-half at Kingsmeadow, but was forced to stop playing by an ankle injury he had surgery on in January.
Striker Connolly quits the game aged 37 after joining the Dons on a short-term deal in January. He made eight appearances, scoring once, but also played for Wimbledon between 2001 and 2003, scoring 42 times in 68 appearances.
The retirements will see increasing responsibility fall on youngster Adedeji Oshilaja at the back and powerful striker Adebayo Akinfenwa up front.
Ardley will also be without first-choice goalkeeper James Shea, who is still sidelined with an ankle injury and will be replaced again by Joe McDonnell.
Youngster Tom Beere is out with a hamstring injury but Jake Goodman is nearing a full return to the side having turned out for the under-21s on Monday.
Star Man: George Francomb
Danger Man: Tom Nichols
Last time they met: AFC Wimbledon 4–1 Exeter City 28 December 2014
Feature image courtesy of AFC Wimbledon TV, with thanks
