View from Kingsmeadow, Volume 15: Altrincham Highs and Barrow Lows

Terry Brown's AFC Wimbledon, fresh off a stalemate to Ebbsfleet United in the first round proper of the 2010-11 FA Cup, returned to Football Conference National action to take on Ken McKenna's Altrincham F.C. on Tuesday at Moss Lane.

"Saturday's cup game against Ebbsfleet United was a very tight affair," Brown said, "with neither side able to break the deadlock. I felt we started off very brightly, but we were unable to take advantage of our early chances. Because we have not been scoring goals lately, we looked nervous in the final third of the pitch as the game went on."

"After looking at the DVD of the game I feel the sending off of Christian Jolley was extremely harsh, however, nothing compared to the dismissal of the Ebbsfleet player. Both sides now have important league fixtures to play before we lock horns again next week."

"Monday's training was a light session with the long journey to Altrincham tomorrow. Stuart and I spoke to the players today about rotating the side over the next three games, as we feel it is vitally important we keep the squad as fit and fresh as possible. This will mean several of the players who have been on the bench recently making the starting line up in the next few games."

"The good news on the injury front is that Lee Minshull will be looking to play a part in one of the next two games and if Brett Johnson has no reaction to the work he has done today, we will be looking to give him some game time as soon as possible. Sammy Moore's ankle ligament injury is not as bad as we first feared. Considerable bruising has come out today and hopefully he will be available for selection on Saturday."

"Tomorrow is the start of two important away matches and after the excitement of the FA Cup it is important that we get back to winning ways in the league, and getting points on the board to maintain our challenge at the top of the league."

Danny Kedwell paced the Dons with a brace to give Wimbledon a 2-0 victory. Just a minute into the contest, Kedwell set the tone for the rest of the match and ended the first half strong. And that was all the road side needed, as they soared to the top of the table.

“It was a fantastic win in what will be a busy week for the team," Brown said. "The three hundred plus fans who made the long journey north will have found it very worthwhile. It was important to get back to winning ways in an important month in our history. It was a really good night gaining three important points and no injuries."

"We will be rotating the squad to utilise the energy and potential of the players and not overplay the same players. It would be nice to rest Danny Kedwell in particular but anyone watching him tonight will see how important he is for us. I also thought there were very fine performances from Sam Hatton and Rashid Yussuff.”

Wimbledon continued their road jaunt on Saturday, Nov. 13 to face David Bayliss and Darren Sheridan's Barrow AFC at Holker Street in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

It wasn't the best of efforts from the Dons, as goals from the Bluebirds' James Owen in the 43rd minute and Marc Goodfellow in the 77th minute gave Barrow a 2-0 victory over Wimbledon.

Despite the setback, they remain at the top of the Football Conference National table with a 12-2-5 record (38 points).

The Dons will look to rebound from this setback as they face Ebbsfleet United in the replay of the FA Cup First Round Proper. Should they prevail they will face either Stevenage or Milton Keynes Dons. Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, November 18 at 2:45 p.m. ET.

AFC Wimbledon will then return to Football Conference National action when they face off against the Poppies of Kettering Town. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday November 21 at 10:00 a.m. ET.