Big Kick Off For Dons And Rovers

The League 2 season kicks off in earnest with Football League debutants AFC Wimbledon facing off with recently relegated Bristol Rovers in front of what will be a capacity crowd at Kingsmeadow.

For Wimbledon the game completes a nine year quest for a slot in the professional divisions, five promotions during that time taking them from the Combined Counties Premier to League 2.

Bristol Rovers on the other hand have spent the close season rebuilding the squad that failed to retain the clubs League 1 status last term and Paul Buckle's forthright approach to this regeneration has lead to the Gas being labelled as one of the front runners for promotion to the third tier.

How Are They Doing?

Both managers have lead their sides through impressive pre-season campaigns. Terry Brown, the Wombles gaffer, failed to win just one of their warm up matches, that was against Sutton, but there have been thoroughly thrilling victories against Premier League Fulham and Championship Watford. It was the Dons, though, who got the domestic season underway when they faced off with Crawley Town in a preliminary round Carling Cup tie. Twice the visiting Wimbledon took the lead only to be pegged back before Matt Tubbs, scorer of 37 goals in the Conference last season, ended the Wombles cup campaign before it had even begun, something that Rovers fans know too much about having fallen at a similar stage to Boston back in 2002.

Rovers scored in each of their pre-season games, netting 23 times in 9 matches, against opposition that varied from Western League Division 1 to the Championship, twice the Gas were controlling games against second division clubs, beating Burnley 2-0 and letting a one goal lead slip in a 2-1 defeat to last year’s losing play-off finalists Reading. The managers will know that pre-season games are about fitness and gelling for their players and that once the season kicks off for real these matches will count for nothing, but they nevertheless will have raised expectations for both fans and players alike for the season to come.


Who Are The Match Winners?

One of Wimbledon's best pre-season performers has been striker Luke Moore. The 23 year old, not to be confused with his Swansea City namesake, scored the opening goal in that Carling Cup tie after a jinking run that beat the majority of the Crawley defence before dispatching a twenty yard drive into the back of the net. That strike adds to further superlative efforts during the Wimbledon friendlies, most notably both in the beating of Watford, and his ability to conjure something from nothing, not to mention his sky-high confidence and excellent form, will mean he is the danger man for the Rovers defence to deal with.

The quick feet of winger Mustapha Carayol, Rovers 7th signing of the summer, will make him one to watch at the Memorial Stadium this year. His unbridled flair and pace have lead to the winger making mugs of numerous opponents and with a squad that, on paper, looks as strong as any other in the division his ability to create goals and cause havoc could prove pivotal in a successful season for the Gas. Last term Carayol was a part of the Lincoln City side who were relegated to the Conference, the team scoring just 45 goals in the process, but with a different calibre of players around him the flying winger will feel confident that his mazy runs will end up with the ball in the back of the net on regular occasions.

Have We Met Before?

Strictly speaking no, AFC Wimbledon and Bristol Rovers have never taken to the same pitch, but the now defunct Wimbledon have played the Pirates before. The five games between the sides have produced just a single win apiece with the other three matches ending level. The only Rovers win came the first time the two clubs were paired, that was in the FA Cup back in 1968, 4-0 the final result there, and since the four League games, all played in the 1980s, have only seen either side come out on top once, Wimbledon winning 1-0, while there were two 1-1 draws and a 2-2 stalemate, the latter being the first time the clubs had met in league competition in 1981.

Who's Up For It?

Bristol Rovers will be missing left back Gary Sawyer who is currently recovering from a double hernia operation. Stuart Campbell will also miss out, as will young midfielder Ollie Clarke.

Sammy Moore, Charles Ademeno and Lee Minshull are unlikely to make the squad with injuries. Manager Terry Brown has admitted that he is unlikely to make many changes from the squad that were defeated by Crawley in the Carling Cup.

They Said What?

Dons boss Terry Brown spoke about his pride at being able to lead his charges out in the Football League for the first time, not only for the club but in his own managerial career.

"Everything after a play-off final is secondary but to be able to lead Wimbledon out on what is an historic occasion is something I will remember for the rest of my life.


"It is a fantastic, how many managers get to manage in the football league? There is only 92 of them and I am part of that now which is pleasurable for me."


"As far as the club is concerned and the fans are concerned, it is a day they have looked forward to ever since they first started the club nine years ago and it will be a real carnival atmosphere, no doubt about that."

Rovers manager Paul Buckle discussed with the press how not only his squad but the whole club has grafted to make this season one to remember.

"We have done a lot of hard work ourselves this summer. Our club has suffered a disappointing relegation, one they felt they shouldn't have gone down.


"The fans, directors and players who are still here are still hurting, so they have got a point to prove, I have got a point to prove and so have the new players.


"We have got enough in our minds to serve us well on Saturday. I am really looking forward to the game, it is going to be exciting. I am a believer that the best team will win on the day, and hopefully that will be us."