Archived News from January 2010
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PREVIEWS PLUS AFC WIMBLEDON PITCH NEWS
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Friday 15 January 2010
afcwimbledon.co.uk Mansfield game goes ahead Follow a look at the pitch this morning, the match referee has confirmed that tomorrow's Blue Square Premier game against Mansfield Town can go ahead provided there is no adverse weather overnight. The weather forecast in not predicting any problems and no further pitch inspections are planned. ------------------- Friday 15 January 2010 afcwimbledon.co.uk Terry looking forward to getting back into action The good news about the pitch was exactly what Terry Brown wanted to hear after his efforts yesterday to help get it ready for Saturday's game. He can't wait to get back into action tomorrow and had some player news to add when we spoke to him a few minutes ago. "Owing to the sterling efforts of at least 30 loyal supporters we are pleased that Saturday's game is able to progress. Having helped out a little myself, it is amazing how long it takes to clear a football pitch. It is important that we get Saturday's and Tuesday's games played so as to avoid a fixture pile up that I certainly think will affect the northern clubs. "Fortunately, we have been able to strengthen the squad over the last two weeks and it is evident enough that we needed to do so as the second half of the season we will need strength in depth. "On the injury front we have doubts concerning Danny Kedwell and Paul Lorraine and definitely out of Saturday's game is Elliott Godfrey with cracked ribs from the Stevenage game, Steven Gregory with a groin injury, Derek Duncan with a virus and the departure of Luis Cumbers whose loan has ended; he has decided to stay at Gillingham and force his way back into their first team. "We are also hoping to sign a big target man prior to Saturday's game but until a medical and the paperwork have been completed we can't say any more. If there is any news, we will announce it later today." -------------------------- Kedwell fit for Mansfield clash Jan 15 2010, By Jacob Murtagh http://www.surreyherald.co.uk DANNY Kedwell and Jon Main have handed Dons boss Terry Brown a major boost ahead of tomorrow's Blue Square Premier showdown with Mansfield Town. The pair had been struggling with knocks over the Christmas period, but should start as AFC look to get one over on their play-off rivals. New signings Danny Blanchett and Glenn Poole are also expected to go straight into the squad. However, the game has come too quick for Steven Gregory (groin) and Elliott Godfrey (rib), who are still sidelined through injury. ---------------------------- Williams wants to put on a good show Thu 14 Jan 2010 Winger Ryan Williams has said that he cannot wait to do battle with AFC Wimbledon this weekend and get one over on his old manager Terry Brown who he played under at Aldershot and is now in the hot seat at the South London side. http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1932371,00.html The Don's are only one place and one point behind us creating the ingredients for an intruiging encounter at the Kingsmeadow Stadium. "It will be a good game and a good test as they're one point behind us," he said. "They're up there for a reason, have got some good players and it should be a great game. "It's my old manager down there and it would be good to go down there and put a good show on. Speaking from the Power League Soccerdrome at Pride Park in Derby, where the squad have been forced to train on indoor pitches during the current adverse weather conditions, Williams added that the whole side were more than ready to get back to playing again after two postponements here at Field Mill. "I think everyone is chomping at the bit as the 28th December was the last game. "Everybody can't wait to be playing - I've never known a winter like this. "It's put a stand still on everything, not only on training but games as well. "We are preparing in the right manner, like we always do, and hope the game (on Saturday) is on." The diminutive winger was made captain on that day in December as we ran out 2-1 winners over Cambridge United and he made no secret of the fact that he would like to wear the armband on a more permanent basis. He added: "I was given the captain's armband over Christmas and it was a great honour for me. "There's nothing I would like more than to captain my side and if it was offered to me, I would love to do it." ----------------------- Williams - an honour to captain hometown side CHAD.co.uk, 14 January 2010, By John Lomas RYAN Williams said it was an honour to captain his hometown side over Christmas and his dream to now keep the armband. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Williams--an-honour-to.5984437.jp Although club captain, the veteran winger, back at the club for a second spell, had always been overlooked on the field for the top job. But now he is keeping his fingers crossed he keeps the honour at AFC Wimbledon this weekend. "I am hoping to be picked to play first and foremost," he said. "But if I kept the captain's armband it would be a dream come true for me. "It was a great honour to be given it at Christmas. It is a massive thing to be captain of your hometown club. "If the gaffer wants me to do the job again on Saturday I would be delighted." Williams and the rest of the squad are waiting on the weather forecast in south London to see if the game at AFC Wimbledon can go ahead. "We are champing at the bit," he said. "December 28th to January 16th is a long time and we can't wait to get back out there. "I have never known the weather this bad in my career. "We have had bits and bobs but this has brought a standstill to everything and caused chaos to training and games. I hope this won't happen again for a long time. "We are preparing for Saturday as if it will go ahead and we believe there is a good chance of it being on as it is due to be six degrees there tomorrow. "The pitch is still covered in snow so that might protect it a bit." With Stags fourth and the Dons fifth, there is little doubt about the importance of the match. "It is a crunch game and should be a good game and good test," he added. "If we can get three points, we can open up a gap. But they are up there for a reason. "They have some good players and my old manager, Terry Brown, who will get them going and get them organised. "A lot of teams have gone there and been surprised what a good outfit they are. But we won't be surprised and hopefully we can put on a good show." ------------------------ Ollie could be key signing - Williams CHAD.co.uk, 14 January 2010, By John Lomas NEW signing Ollie Hotchkiss could be a key signing for Stags according to club skipper Ryan Williams. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Ollie-could-be-key-signing.5984404.jp Hotchkiss left Leeds United this week to make his loan move to Field Mill a permanent one and Williams said: "Ollie has a great future ahead. "Not only is he a good footballer but he is a great lad too and he is willing to learn. "He has a good head on his shoulders and I think he will go on to do well in the game. "Ollie is a great passer of the ball. I have a lot of time for him - he is a top man." First team coach Gareth Holmes added: "It is a tremendous boost for the club to sign Ollie. "Ollie expressed his thoughts and feelings to Leeds. He had been there from being a youngster and it was a big decision for him. "So it is testament to what he thinks of this club and the management and staff that he wanted to come here as he feels it is the best step for progressing his career. "The crowd love him as he is a ball player. He is a technician who can unlock defences with his passing range. He can be a vital player for us this season. "Other clubs were interested so it was great for us he came here. He sees us as his best chance of going on and improving." ------------------ Stags raring to go CHAD.co.uk, 14 January 2010, By John Lomas GARETH Holmes said Stags were raring to go if the game at AFC Wimbledon beats the winter weather on Saturday. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Stags-raring-to-go.5984423.jp "They are like racehorses in the traps and we can't wait to get back on a football field," said the first team coach. "At the matter it's a case of holding them back a bit in training and then letting them go at Wimbledon on Saturday. "The next game is always important but we know Saturday is a massive game for this football club. "They have had a good run of late apart from the result against Hayes and Yeading last time out. We have done our homework on them and they have signed a couple of new players this week. "It is our duty to make sure we keep them in fifth place and push ourselves a little higher." Only Kyle Nix has been unable to get fully fit during the recent lay-off - he is a couple of weeks away from a full return - but the squad will be boosted by tomorrow's signing of striker Jon Shaw. ---------------------- Heckingbottom glad to be injury free Thu 14 Jan 2010 Left-back Paul Heckingbottom has expressed relief at finally overcoming a hamstring injury suffered earlier in the season. http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1932447,00.html Speaking today, the experienced Heckingbottom revealed that although he has been passed fit to play for the last three months, our last league games to date against York on Boxing Day and Cambridge on 28th December were the first time he has experienced no pain. He added: "The York and Cambridge games were the first time I've been pain free. "It's a sign that I've been doing the right things with my rehabiliation. "In the Cambridge game I felt fantastic and that's good news for the future. "Touch wood, I will be fine now until the end of the season and it will be no problem." He is also confident of achieving a positive result against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday ruling out the difficulties of playing after a two-and-a-half-week break. "Some teams haven't played since the 12th December so it will be hard for them but it should not be a problem for us. "It's always tough playing away from home but we've had good performances away so we know we can do it." ------------------------ Fans set to see the best of Heckingbottom CHAD.co.uk, 14 January 2010 PAUL Heckingbottom is ready to show the Stags fans what he can do after finally overcoming his long-standing hamstring injury. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Fans-set-to-see-the.5984416.jp The Stags left back has been plagued with problems going back to his days at Bradford before joining Mansfield in the summer. "The Cambridge game was the first time I had finally been free of pain," he said. "It's been gradually getting better. But I was having to do my rehabilitation while playing. "I was really starting to feel it in the last 10 or 15 minutes of a game. "Now I think I will be fine and I will be able to get forward a lot more which is something I have not been able to do. "The injury wasn't even diagnosed at Bradford and I just had to get on with it. Now it's off my mind and I can play as I want to." --------------------- latest from afcwimbledon.co.uk Even their manager is clearing the pitch!! ---> http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/gallery/thumbs/lrg-216-snow_clearance_4.JPG Thursday 14 January 2010 Snow going Thanks to the fantastic work of the volunteers who turned up at Kingsmeadow today, aided and abetted by club staff, 75% of the snow has been cleared from the pitch and what is left is likely to thaw itself. The match referee is coming tomorrow morning to take a preliminary look and advise us if there is any further work we need to do. We hope to make an announcement at about midday as to whether we will need further help. ----------------------- Thursday 14 January 2010 afcwimbledon.co.uk Pitch update Although we have had a number of fans come to the club today to help clear the pitch of snow we still need more volunteers and particularly snow shovels and wheelbarrows. If you can help please just come down to the ground. We may also need help tomorrow so please watch this site for any further announcements -------------- 13 Jan 2010 Interesting interview with Terry Brown about Mansfield and the pitch ("Kingsmeadow is a fantastic draining pitch, but currently snow is lying on a frozen pitch") http://www.bluesqfootball.com/story/0,20970,13040_5857262,00.html? ------------- Wednesday 13 January 2010 afcwimbledon.co.uk Help needed to clear the pitch Following last night's snowfall the pitch is now covered with an extra one to two inches of snow. Underneath the snow, the ground is quite hard particularly in front of the Tempest End and John Smith's Stand. However with the weather forecast predicting a rise in the temperature over the next few days there is still a chance that Saturday's game against Mansfield Town could go ahead. To help with the thawing process it is necessary to move the snow from the pitch and we are looking to supporters to come to the ground on Thursday morning at 10.00 am with snow shovels, shovels and wheelbarrows to help clear the playing surface. If you can spare any time on Thursday it will be greatly appreciated. Just so we have an idea about numbers please call 020 8547 3528 between now and 5.00 pm to let us know if you can help or e mail secretary@afcwimbledon.co.uk. Refreshments will be provided. ---------------------- Spotlight on AFC Wimbledon v Mansfield Town Evening Post, January 15, 2010 Wimbledon (from): Brown, Pullen, Conroy, Garrard, Lorraine, Judge, Johnson, Blanchett, Godfrey, Poole, Montague, Wellard, Taylor, Gregory, Adjei, Main, Kedwell, Cumbers, Hatton. Mansfield (from): Marriott, Sandercombe, Silk, Garner, Brough, Jones, Heckingbottom, Armstrong, Briscoe, Burgess, Somner, Hotchkiss, Mills, Burgess, Williams, Speight, Perry, Duffy, Sturrock, Shaw. Team news: Wimbledon are expected to select from a full-strength squad after players have used the break from action because of the weather to regain fitness. Danny Kedwell (foot), Elliott Godfrey (leg injury) and James Pullen (chipped bone are all set to be available. Steven Gregory is also in contention after missing a spell of games for personal reasons. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Spotlight-AFC-Wimbledon-v-Mansfield-Town/article-1709809-detail/article.html? They also welcome new signings Danny Blanchett (left-back) and Glenn Poole (right midfielder). Mansfield's only absentee is likely to be Kyle Nix (ankle) with Ryan Williams (dead leg) and Michael Brough (shoulder) back in the frame. Ollie Hotchkiss will travel after signing a permanent deal while Jon Shaw is set to sign today. One to watch: Danny Kedwell. The joint-second highest scorer in the Blue Square Premier this season, along with Oxford's James Constable, having netted 18 times. Manager: Terry Brown. Has led the Dons to successive promotions from the Ryan Premier and Blue Square North Leagues after successful spells at Hayes and Aldershot. ------------------------ EARLIER STORIES ON KEDWELL: Brown: Dons need Kedwell Wednesday 6th January 2010 http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/football/4835757.Brown__Dons_need_Kedwell/? By Simon Fitzjohn ยป Terry Brown admits Danny Kedwell's return to fitness cannot come quickly enough as AFC Wimbledon look to maintain the pace in the Blue Square Premier play-off race. A Dons team shorn of the 18-goal striker saw their six-game league unbeaten run come to a halt as they crashed to a 1-0 defeat at Hayes & Yeading last Saturday. And with Wimbledon having also drawn a blank in the 0-0 stalemate at Stevenage the week before, Brown is hopeful Kedwell shakes off his foot injury sooner rather than later. He said: "We have the most prolific partnership in the league with Danny Kedwell and Jon Main but take Danny out of the equation and it makes a massive difference. "Jon is a great striker and has got goals this season but he looks a different player when he is alongside Danny as they work so well together. "The truth of the matter is we are still not scoring enough goals, and we have to find ways of putting the ball in the back of the net when Danny is not there. "We are still lacking goals from other areas - I thought we had that solved when Luke Moore started chipping in from midfield but with him injured we have taken a step back. "I am still waiting for the back four to step up as well - this enforced break has come at a good time for us injury-wise and we need to refocus our efforts." Dons striker touch-and-go for Wrexham clash Jan 4 2010 By Jacob Murtagh http://www.surreyherald.co.uk/surrey-sport/allsport/2010/01/04/dons-striker-touch-and-go-for-wrexham-clash-113489-25522338/? DANNY Kedwell faces a race against time to be fit for AFC Wimbledon's clash with Wrexham tomorrow. The Dons striker has missed the last two games through injury, but is touch-and-go to return against the Welsh side. But boss Terry Brown is desperate for his top scorer to start to boost a shot-shy forward line who failed to find the net in Kedwell's absence. He said: "If I can get Keds fit we're okay, but when he doesn't play we look lightweight." Derek Duncan will also be available after shaking off an ankle injury, but Steven Gregory is still sidelined. ------------------------- |
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