Playoff Race Intensifies: AFC Wimbledon vs. Newport County Clash for Vital Points
Image Credit: Andy Aldridge
As it stands, both teams are within a chance of a play-off spot, The Wombles sit 7th in the play off position as for the Exiles they sit 12th being five points off.
AFC Wimbledon
The Wombles were relegated from Sky Bet League One after the 2021/22 season after finishing 23rd. Last season they finished just five points from safety in 21st. The game on Saturday will be played at The Charry Red Records Stadium, which is also known as Plough Lane, The Wombles have been playing their home games there since 1912.Their highest league finish since being reformed in 2002 is 15th in League One during the 2016/17 season.
Season so far
· The Wombles sit 7th in Sky Bet League Two on 57 points having played 38 games, winning 15, drawing 12 and losing 11.
· Their top scorer is Ali Al Hamadi, whose scored 16 goals and assisted seven (139 MPG). However, during the end of the January transfer window, Al Hamidi signed for Championship side Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
· They were knocked out of the EFL Cup second round losing 2-1 to Premier League side Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and out of the FA Cup third round losing 3-1 at home to Ipswich Town.
Last Five Results
Home to Gillingham: 2-0 Win
Away to Notts County: 2-0 Win
Home to Grimsby Town: 0-0 Draw
Home to MK Dons: 1-0 Win
Away to Doncaster: 1-0 Loss
Newport County
Newport County were formed in 1912. In 1920 the side were elected to play in the English Football League. They’re nicknamed ‘The Exiles’ and play their home games at Rodney Parade. The Exiles played in the English football league pyramid for almost 70 years until they were expelled. They were forced to reform in 1989 where they worked their way up from the Hellenic League. They regained their football league status in 2013 after a 25-year absence, they beat Wrexham in the Conference play-off final 2 nil. Their best season in the football league came in the 1939/40 season where they finished 9th in the Football League Second Division despite the season being abandoned due to the beginning of WW2.
Season so far
· The Exiles have played 37, winning 15, drawing 7 and losing 15.
· Their top scorer is Will Evans whose scored 23 goals and assisted four (156 MPG).
· The Exiles were knocked out of the FA Cup fourth round by Manchester United losing 4-2, and out of the Carabao Cup second round losing to Brentford 3-0 on penalties after drawing 1-1.
Last Five Results
Home to Morecambe: 5-3 Win
Away to Stockport County: 1-0 Loss
Home to Mansfield Town: 1-0 Loss
Away to Harrogate Town: 4-1 Win
Away to MK Dons: 3-0 Loss
Last Time Out
The last time the two teams faced each other was in early September 2023 at Rodney Parade, in which the points were shared due to a two all draw. The Wombles took the lead in under ten minutes when summer signing James Tilley’s right footed shot hit the inside of the post and into the back of the net.
The visitors then doubled their lead through a defensive error from Liverpool loanee Adam Lewis, this allowed Tilley to attack, Tilley tried his luck from 25 yards out which hit the bottom right past Nick Townsend.
Newport got one back on the stroke of half time through striker Will Evans. A cross in from Adam Lewis caused the Wimbledon back line some trouble as they were unable to clear, as the ball became loose, Evans found himself unmarked an able to tap the ball in past Alex Bass in the Dons goal.
Just ten minutes into the second half the Exiles found themselves level. A long ball from Ryan Delaney found Omar Bogle in space on the right-hand side of the goal, with no amber shirts in the box, he taps the ball in what looks like a cross but goes all the way and hits in off the side of the post.
Head-to-head
Newport and Wimbledon first played each other in February 2014, when the Wombles came away 2-1 winners, since then the two sides have faced each other on another nine occasions, with the Exiles winning two, the Hatters three and then each side drawing five.
The last time the Exiles played at Wimbledon was boxing day 2022 where the game finished 1-1 despite Wimbledon being shown a red card. The last three meetings have resulted in draws.