View From Kingsmeadow, Volume 19: Back To the Football

After a lengthy layoff, it was back to the football for Terry Brown's AFC Wimbledon, who took on Football Conference South leaders Braintree Town in the first round of the 2010-11 FA Trophy.

"After a good week's training it is nice to look forward to playing once again," Brown said on Thursday.

"The FA Trophy game against Braintree Town sees the visit of a side in top form. Braintree sit proudly at the top of the Blue Square Bet South and judging from the only report we have of them playing recently. they are more than capable of causing an upset on their day. Cup football should be about desire and passion and we need to ensure that we match theirs on Saturday."

The Wombles would head into the fixture with a number of key players out of action.

"Long term injuries to Brett Johnson and Lee Minshull rule them out of Saturday's game," Brown said. "Lee hasn't had the best of luck and suffered a heavy cold earlier in the week but we hope to see him feature in the London Senior Cup game next week, while Brett is just coming to the end of the additional treatment to his knee. We also have Ed Harris suspended for his sending off against Stevenage and we have an injury doubt concerning Sammy Moore with an aggravated groin strain."

Brown stressed the importance of the FA Trophy to his players over training this week.

"I have been asked regularly this week how important we consider the Trophy to be in our list of targets this season," he added.

"As far as I am concerned it is a competition that the club has never won and would dearly love to. I will therefore be picking our strongest side—regardless of the result there will be no excuses as we are trying to win it.

"We are only six games from Wembley and it is their only their chance of getting to Wembley this season since if we reach the play off final it is in Manchester!"

After Christian Jolley opened the scoring in the eighth minute, Mark Nwokeji made it 2-0 in the 86th minute and Danny Kedwell slammed the door shut on the Iron in the 88th minute to give the Dons a 3-0 shutout win.

Up next for Wimbledon is more cup football as they take on Dulwich Hamlet in the London Senior Cup on Tuesday. Kickoff is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 2:45 p.m. ET at Champion Hill in Southwark, London.

The Dons will then return to Football Conference National play when they host Wrexham. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. ET.