View from Kingsmeadow, Volume 11: Gate Crashers

Terry Brown's AFC Wimbledon continued their 2010-11 Football Conference season on Saturday, Oct. 16 with a home match against Gateshead F.C.

"Saturday signalled the end of a very hectic period which has included 15 league games since 14 August," Brown said on Monday. "I am glad to say we haven't picked up any significant injuries from our two away trips this week, and considering we pulled in a six-point haul I think it is obvious to say that things are going well at the moment.

"Saturday's performance at Wrexham provided a very different and difficult hurdle. Although we didn't play well on the day, we did enough to keep ourselves in the game in the first half and a much-improved, spirited second half performance saw us come away with an unlikely three points.

"It is important if we wish to stay in the top five that we are able to pick up points when not firing on all cylinders. I thought, as with the Kidderminster game, our players looked tired and slightly jaded, which is understandable considering the work load the starting eleven have had this season.

"The long-term injuries to Lee Minshull and Brett Johnson will still require another two or three weeks, maybe longer for Lee, and hopefully now the schedule is lighter we can avoid any additional injuries. Sammy Moore came off on Saturday after feeling the effects of a stomach bug and a slight Achilles strain."

Dons Sam Hatton, Steven Gregory and Seb Brown compete on the England C team and defeated Estonia 1-0 to qualify for the semifinal of the International Challenge Trophy on Tuesday. Brown had his reservations in spite of the outcome.

"Although this might sound like a moan I must say I am slightly worried about our three players' involvement in Estonia. As well as playing in all 15 games they have also had an additional two England trips in which the latter one involves a long journey to Estonia. I do acknowledge that the players are thrilled at the opportunity of pulling on an England shirt, and so I would I have been at their age. However, from a manager's point of view it is two additional games that I would prefer they hadn't played."

Nonetheless, England C's victory may have changed his reservations.

"I am delighted for the boys and for England," Brown said on Tuesday. "We won't be training them hard after such a long journey but I'm looking forward to getting them back and seeing for myself that they are all fit and ready for Saturday."

The Wombles drew away to Basingstoke Town in the fourth round of qualifications in the FA Cup, and will face them on Oct. 23.

"With the cups we are in and 46 league games to negotiate," Brown said on Monday, "I don't suppose I am any different from the Alex Fergusons of this world and I just hope the international week is over without any additional complications.

"Considering some the Conference v. Conference FA Cup draws, we should be pleased to have missed out on any of the big guns in our league. However, I am under no illusions that the game against Basingstoke on 23 October will be a very difficult one, as in Frank Gray they have an extremely experienced and talented manager who will no doubt do his homework on us.

"I look forward to what should be an epic encounter but, before then, it is important that our players realise the importance of our next home fixture against Gateshead. If they need any reminding, the Gateshead side this season is better than the one that dominated us on the last day of last season."

A goal from Ismail Yakubu via Christian Jolley in the 73rd minute was all Wimbledon needed to defeat Gateshead, 1-0. With Crawley Town's 3-2 defeat to Newport County, the Dons are once again at the top of the Football Conference National.

Up next for AFC Wimbledon is some FA Cup action, as they travel to the Camrose to take on Basingstoke Town of the Football Conference South. Kickoff is scheduled for Oct. 23 at 10:00 a.m. EST.