View from Kingsmeadow, Volume 17: Our Cup Runneth Over

With the second round Surrey Senior Cup tie against Colliers Wood United postponed to a future date, Terry Brown's AFC Wimbledon had only one match on the cards this week: the 2010-11 FA Cup second round tie with Stevenage F.C. at Kingsmeadow.

"Credit to Alan Algar in the Non League Paper for getting his forecast 99 percent right," Brown said on the 3-2 victory over Kettering Town in Football Conference National play. "Had it not been a fine Seb Brown save you could have been winning the bet at 14/1 that we would be leading at half time and drawing at the end. I don't know if my players did read the article prior to the game but we visibly tired in the second half.

"Credit also to the boys for hanging in and gaining three very valuable points that takes us into the next busy schedule in fine form. At least now we will be able to enjoy Saturday's second round tie with Stevenage. I am certainly under no illusions about how difficult Saturday's game will be as, whatever way I dress it up, Stevenage will be physically stronger than us on the day. It is therefore vitally important that we play to our strengths and especially as we are at home we need to take the game to them and attack them from the start."

Brown welcomed the opportunity for the first team to recharge.

"The players will enjoy a much-needed rest after Sunday's close encounter," Brown said. "I am hoping that Sammy Hatton, Ryan Jackson and Ismail Yakubu will all be fit and able to train on Thursday with Brett Johnson, Lee Minshull and Andre Blackman still receiving treatment. Andre is due a scan on his injured knee tomorrow and we will know a lot more about his fitness after he has seen the specialist.

"The players are really excited to have the opportunity to progress into the third round proper and what player at any level wouldn't relish the opportunity of playing at the Emirates or Old Trafford. The incentive is there for both sides and we know we will have to be at our very best to progress through.

"Graham Westley has had the opportunity of seeing us in person in the last two games and both Stuart and I will be visiting Stevenage for their game against Southend tonight."

Aside from a series of civic and public relations obligations, the Dons drew a first-round proper draw with Braintree Town in the 2010-11 FA Trophy. Kickoff is scheduled for Dec. 11 at Kingsmeadow, with the kickoff time to be determined.

"The players' social diary this week is a busy one with players attending the switching on of the Christmas lights at Merton Civic Centre on Wednesday evening, and of course our annual visit to take part in the Winter Wonderland festivities in Wimbledon on Thursday night, where the club has a float in the procession. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there.

"Finally, the FA Carlsberg Trophy paired us with an in-form Braintree side who are currently in scintillating form and, having disposed of a very good Farnborough side on Saturday, will no doubt be looking forward to their trip to Kingsmeadow.

"If our previous two ties against Blue Square south sides this year is anything to go by, we are in for another exciting cup tie. We will obviously have to work hard to break down a team that has let in only one away goal in the league all season."

Goals in the 24th minute and 81st minute from Stevenage's Josh Walker and Yemi Udubade were enough to see Stevenage off to the next round in a 2-0 defeat for Wimbledon. Ed Harris was sent off in the 83rd minute, forcing the Dons to play with 10 men for the last seven and stoppage.

With their FA Cup run over, Wimbledon return to action against similarly top opposition in the Football Conference National.

The Wombles have a shot to avenge their 3-0 shutout defeat to Luton on Tuesday, Nov. 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. ET.

Terry Brown's boys will then travel to Bootham Crescent in York, North Yorkshire to face off against York City. Kickoff is scheduled for Dec. 4 at 10:00 a.m. ET.