View from Kingsmeadow, Volume Nine: A Field Day at Field Mill

Terry Brown's AFC Wimbledon, fresh off a 3-0 shutout win over Cambridge United, looked to build on their newly-found form on Saturday, October 3 as they hosted David Hockaday's Forest Green Rovers at Kingsmeadow.

"Friday morning's training went well with an eye to what is a very busy up and coming week," Brown said before the match. "So, although we didn't any hard training we did a lot of work on shape and set pieces. It has been evident in tight games this year that the difference between an unsuccessful and a successful set piece is converting into the difference between one point and three points.

"On the injury front, we had some good news that Ismail Yakubu's injury is not as bad as we first thought and it looks more likely to be a back-related problem. Hopefully he should be available for the forthcoming away trips to Mansfield and Wrexham.

"Apart from that we didn't manage to injure anyone so we will have a full squad to choose from except Lee Minshull and Brett Johnson. Forest Green Rovers come to us in a difficult position needing points to climb away from the bottom four.

"Having played against David Hockaday's team last year I know they will be highly motivated and well-disciplined and therefore like most games in this league it will be difficult to predict. This is an important game for us where we need to get maximum points and set off for our away games with those points in the bag.

"The crowd has been magnificent this year and let's hope we can continue to keep them happy by making sure that our excellent home form continues."

In the 68th minute, Christian Jolley negated an early goal from Ben Watson to give AFC Wimbledon a 1-1 draw before a crowd of 3,204 at the Cherry Red Records stadium.

A pivotal contest awaited the Wombles as the traveled to Field Mill on Tuesday to take on David Holdsworth's Mansfield Town FC. The Stags feature Adam Murray, a midfielder on loan from Luton Town who hopes to be with Mansfield when January comes, and swingman Steven Foster.

For the Dons, two key players would be available for this match in Ismail Yakubu and Steven Gregory.

"On reflection about Saturday's performance," Brown said on Monday, "it is evident that we never played anywhere near our capability and it is my responsibility to ensure that the frustration felt by the players does not deflect from the work rate and industry required to win a game when we are not playing well.

"As with any young side the one major factor missing is experience. They will only gain that experience through Saturdays such as the Forest Green game. Forest Green came with a very professional game plan with seasoned experienced players who shut us down and stopped us playing and broke on us very effectively.

"The consistency required to stay at the top will always be difficult to achieve without the necessary sprinkling of senior players. Hopefully Tuesday night should see the return of fit-again Ismail Yakubu and the well-again Steven Gregory. Both players trained today and are fit and available for Tuesday.

"Simon Bassey and I had the good fortune of seeing the Luton v Mansfield game last Tuesday. The score line was certainly affected by the dismissal of the Mansfield centre half which meant that Mansfield had to play with ten men for most of the game. Prior to the sending off I was impressed with the manner in which Mansfield played their football. They are one of the only sides I've seen this year whose 'keeper throws the ball out to his full backs and therefore I hope that our travelling fans will be treated to an open and exciting game of football."

True to his words, the travelling bastions of Dons supporters were not disappointed. For the Stags, it was hell on earth. For Wimbledon, it was a field day at Field Mill.

In spite of goals from Mansfield Town's Paul Connor and Louis Briscoe in the 34th and 83rd minutes, respectively, it was a 5-2 Wimbledon rout.

Wimbledon got off to a fast start with Luke Moore scoring in the first minute of the match. The ninth minute saw Christian Jolly make it 2-0 Dons. Just two minutes before the break, Wimbledon ace Danny Kedwell made it 3-1.

The second half saw more of the same as Ryan Jackson made it 4-1 in the 60th minute and Sammy Moore upped the margin to 5-1 in the 74th minute of play.  Mansfield scored late to make the final margin respectable, but the damage had already been done.

While the Wombles are six ahead on goals forwarded (28) on league leaders Crawley Town (who have 22) and have a superior goal differential of 13 (one better), they trail the Red Devils by a single point after their 2-1 come-from-behind win over Luton Town.

AFC Wimbledon continues their season next Saturday when they travel to the historic Racecourse Ground to take on Wales side Wrexham F.C. With their road losing streak put to bed, can the Dons make a win streak out of it and put the pressure on Steve Evans's big spenders?

Kickoff against the Robins is scheduled for October 9 at 10:00 a.m. ET.