View from Kingsmeadow, Volume 63: AFC Wimbledon Back in FA Cup Action

Jo-Ryan SalazarDec 3, 2011

Terry Brown's AFC Wimbledon stepped aside from Football League Two action to take part in a couple of cup matches.

First up was a London Senior Cup tie against Wingate and Finchley. Brown elected to field a strong side for the match.

"The team is a very strong one and sees Mat Mitchel-King get his first taste of the action for over a month," Brown told reporters. "The starting lineup will be Jack Turner, Ade Osifuwa, Fraser Franks, Mat Mitchel-King, Gareth Gwillim, Max Porter, Lee Minshull, James Mulley, Ryan Jackson, Brendan Kiernan and Louie Theopanous.

"The players who have been banging on my door will want to prove a point tonight and I should hope that with a strong side we should be able to progress to the next round.”

Indeed, AFC Wimbledon sunk Wingate and Finchley 2-1 in extra time and are set to take on either Beckenham Town, Thamesmead Town or the Metropolitan Police on Jan. 14.

The Dons returned to cup action when they traveled to Valley Parade to take on Bradford City in the second round of the FA Cup.

"We go into the game in excellent heart and confident," Brown said Friday. "It's a cliche but still true that the main thing is to ensure that we are in the draw on Sunday and to do that we will need to put in a top quality performance."

Unfortunately, that would not be the case, as Wimbledon reprised their efforts from last season in exiting out at the second round proper.

Bradford took the lead in the 10th minute, thanks to Ross Hanna. The Bantams doubled their advantage in the 14th minute thanks, to an own goal from Chris Bush.

In the second half, Jack Midson pulled one back in the 50th minute to make it 2-1.

But Craig Fagan made it 3-1 in the 70th minute to put the game out of reach.

With the Dons eliminated from the FA Cup, the club can now focus on Football League Two play. Up next is a home tie with Accrington Stanley at Kingsmeadow.