View from Kingsmeadow, Volume 38: More Cup, League Action

Terry Brown's AFC Wimbledon had a couple of matches to attend to this week. First item on the agenda: the semifinals of the London Senior Cup against Hendon.

"Having now confirmed a playoff spot," Brown told AFCWimbledon.com. "we took the opportunity to arrange a playoff focus day today where after a light training session the players enjoyed highlights of most of our home wins this season and also had a session designed to make sure that they remain mentally strong as well as physically strong.

"The day focused very much on what we have achieved this season and, more importantly, what we hope to achieve in the future. As I said to the players today, we fully expect not only to achieve the playoff final but also to win a place in the Football League this season rather than next."

The Dons manager was keen to point out the tough road that lay ahead.

"The achievement itself of making the playoffs will not, and should not, be good enough for this group of talented young players," Brown reiterated. "Our aim is to enter the playoffs on the back of a good run of form and we should therefore make sure we get the right results from this busy weekend's games.

"We are planning to involve everyone from the squad over the Easter break and I am looking forward to watching eight of those players play a part in the London Senior Cup semifinal on Tuesday against Hendon. They will be supplemented by the best young players we have available from both Marcus Gayle and Mark Robinson."

Brown was pleased to note that the squad was in fit form heading into the week's action.

"We haven't picked up any additional injuries from Saturday's win at Histon and I am sure that the two goals each for Danny Kedwell and Luke Moore will see them both embark on goal-scoring runs. It's now a very exciting time for the club and we need our major goal scorers to stay on form as we go into the playoff semifinals in just over two weeks' time."

Using what was essentially the Dons' second side, Tuesday turned out to be another exciting affair that went into extra after a 2-2 deadlock. Hendon would go on to break AFC Wimbledon's win streak with a 3-2 victory. Reece Jones and Christian Jolley scored for the Dons.

Next up was a Friday match with Mansfield Town.

"Although the result didn’t go our way on Tuesday night it was lovely to see a very good turnout from our fans and a good display of attacking football from both sides," Brown said. "Credit to Hendon who deserved to go through and we wish them all the best in the final. Our own young lads did well and only a lack of concentration cost us the game. Their time will, no doubt, come again.

"Training this week has been very warm and on a good surface at the training ground we have been able to do some work with all the players in connection to the two fixtures over the Easter period. We will be juggling the two sides to ensure they are both of equal strength whilst resting some of the players who will have played over 50 games this season.

"Friday’s game against Mansfield offers revenge for the Stags after we put on one of our best performances of the season at Field Mill. Because of their progress in the FA Trophy, the fixture list at the end of the season has become very congested for them and tomorrow they will be playing their eighth game in 21 days. Mansfield are one of the few clubs in this league who play football from the back and that should mean we will be treated to a really enjoyable game of football."

The Stags would be unable to earn payback.  Down 1-0 at the break, goals from Jamie Stuart in the 68th minute and Jolley in the 86th gave AFC Wimbledon a 2-1 win.

Next up for Wimbledon are a couple more matches.

On Monday, April 25 the Dons take on Forest Green Rovers. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET. Wimbledon will close out the regular season on Saturday, April 30 against Grimsby Town. Kickoff at Kingsmeadow is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. ET.