Next Up: AFC Wimbledon vs Exeter City
City’s poor away form continued with yet another narrow defeat, this time 1-0 at top of the table Cardiff, and Gary Caldwell’s side will hope to address the away blues with a second away trip of the Christmas period to take on a side that is sliding alarmingly from challenging at the top to being dragged into the relegation battle. Contrary to your writer’s assertion, Pierce Sweeney’s fifth league booking against Barnsley didn’t lead to a suspension, so Caldwell’s defensive line-up was unchanged for the third successive match and is unlikely to be altered again. However, there may be changes elsewhere in order to keep the side fresh given the relentless schedule around this time, with the likes of Reece Cole and Liam Oakes perhaps poised for starts. Sonny Cox missed the trip to Cardiff having limped off against Barnsley in just his second start since his long-term injury, while Josh Magennis was again nowhere to be seen – assuming neither is fit on Monday night, Caldwell’s attacking options are limited especially with Kieran Wilson still out on loan at Torquay for a few more days at least.
In their three matches since the fixture computer’s glitch put them to play both of their matches against City in the same month, AFC Wimbledon’s winless run has extended with two 0-0 home draws (most recently on Boxing Day against Stevenage) and a 3-1 defeat at Northampton, meaning Johnnie Jackson’s side is now without a league win in eight matches. As a result, the Dons have dropped out of the promotion race and are now looking over their shoulders, four points clear of the drop in what is turning out to be an extremely congested League One table. Fans looking for entertainment are probably advised to stay away from Plough Lane, which has witnessed just 17 goals in 10 matches so far including the aforementioned 0-0 draws in the last two fixtures. Marcus Brown and Matty Stevens are the players most likely to break the deadlock, both players having scored five times in the league this season.
That match less than three weeks ago saw City win 1-0 through the unlikely source of Jack McMillan. Monday night represents City’s first visit to the new iteration of Plough Lane, the 2-1 defeat in August 2015 coming at their former home of Kingsmeadow. On that occasion Francomb gave the hosts the lead, but this was immediately cancelled out by Harley before Azeez netted a late winner for an AFC Wimbledon side that would eventually gain promotion. City’s win levelled the league head to head against AFC Wimbledon with four wins apiece, one match finishing level.
The match officials for the game will be:-
Referee: Jacob Miles
Assistant Referees: Daniel D’Urso, Greg Read
Fourth Official: Alan Young
Jacob Miles refereed Exeter three times last season, the 1-1 draw against Walsall away in the League Cup (City out on penalties), the 2-0 win over Chesterfield in the FA Cup and the 0-0 draw at the Park against Burton Albion in April.
Interview with Assistant Manager Kevin Nicholson
Interview with Jayden Wareham