View from Kingsmeadow, Volume 43: Preparing For The Big Time

The View from Kingsmeadow, originally scheduled to restart in August, has begun early with the first of two preseason roundups.

Now that Terry Brown's AFC Wimbledon are a Football League Two club, the preparations have begun for the desire to be in it for the long haul.

Closed-circuit television, a control room, extra showers, new dugouts, turnstile monitoring equipment, new entrance gates and a barrier in one of the main stands are among the new amenities being constructed at Kingsmeadow, now listed as a "designated stadium" by The Football League. The current press box at Kingsmeadow is being removed to make room for more press places inside the stadium.

In addition, the players will have to go through drug testing procedures, according to the site.

Steven Gregory, a key ingredient to the Dons' promotion success, has left AFC Wimbledon for Bournemouth. Danny Kedwell, another main contributor to the cause, could also be on his way to a new club some time later this season.

The preseason for the Dons began with a match against Fulham at Kingsmeadow on July 9. The result was a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Brett Johnson in the 67th minute and Charles Ademeno in the 83rd minute of play.

Wimbledon would hit the road for their next four games.

Next up for the Dons was a match with Staines Town, a Football Conference club that lost out to Wimbledon in the Isthmian League promotion playoffs a few years ago. This time, there was no need for a Mark De Bolla miracle, as the Dons imposed their will on Staines to the tune of 5-1 on July 12.

New acquisition Jack Midson earned a brace in the 31st and 36th minutes. Also scoring for the Wombles were Christian Jolley in the sixth minute, Lee Minshull in the 12th and Brendan Kiernan in the 52nd minute of play.

On July 16, Sutton United, Wimbledon's first-ever opponent, proved to be a tough nut to crack as they were consigned to their first draw in preseason play, 1-1. Luke Moore scored for the Dons in the eighth minute.

The Dons got right against Beckenham Town to the tune of 6-0 on July 19. This time, Midson earned a hat trick with goals in the 25th, 28th and 31st minutes of play. Also scoring were Moore in the 12th, Rashid Yussuff in the 58th and Sam Hatton in the 90th minute.

Wimbledon were engaged in a tough contest with Bedfont Town on July 21, and after a 1-1 draw, the Dons would win the ensuing penalty shootout.

Also noteworthy over the preseason was a match involving the Dons reserves and Guernsey FC. At Footes Lane in St. Peter Port, it was, as North Americans would say, a barnburner. A 11-goal festival of scoring ended with a 6-5 victory for Marcus Gayle's reserves.

The Dons' first team will get their first taste of big competition outside of Fulham when they take on Watford of the Football League Championship. Kickoff at Kingsmeadow is scheduled for Saturday, July 23 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Wimbledon will then wrap up their preseason campaign on Tuesday, July 26 when they hit the road to take on Tooting & Mitcham United. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. ET.