Darren Moore’s Valiants make the trip south as they face AFC Wimbledon at The Cherry Red Records Stadium
The Vale come into the trip to London off the back of a 2-0 away win at Accrington Stanley in the Vertu Trophy.
The game came to life in the second half with Stanley being reduced to ten men with just over ten minutes to go. Goals from Connor Hall and Mo Faal followed, ensuring the Valiants progress to the next round of the Vertu Trophy.
Post Accrington Thoughts
The Gaffer's reaction to the win in Lancashire:
“Very professional tonight, really difficult tonight, I thought John’s Accrington team moved the ball really well in the first half, put us on the back foot and we were pleased to get into half-time all square.
“Second half we changed a few things, engaged more, shut down the avenues they were looking at, but then was able to capitalise.”
Press Conference Takeaways
“We predict a really tough game at Wimbledon. The environment is different to what we have at Vale Park.”
Our Opponents
Wimbledon is located in the south-west of London and is most well-known for hosting the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament played on natural grass. The Dons were founded by former supporters of Wimbledon F.C. in 2002 after the FA allowed that club to become MK Dons.
Vale fans will make the long 350-mile round trip to watch their side on Saturday. Port Vale’s most recent trip to Wimbledon was certainly one to remember, with goals from Jayden Stockley and Jahiem Headley securing promotion last season. Despite this result, Wimbledon also secured promotion to League One last season, as they beat Walsall at Wembley in the Play-off Final. Before this, the Londoners had spent three years in League Two.
Johnnie Jackson’s side have made a good start to the season following their promotion from League Two last time out. They currently sit in 5th position and have won their last four league games. Interestingly, Wimbledon haven’t draw a game in the league up to this point, winning seven of their eleven games. They come into Saturday’s clash following a 2-0 win over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
The Opposition Dugout
The man at the helm at Wimbledon is Johnnie Jackson. Jackson was appointed manager in 2022 and has gone on to take charge of 185 matches. Before this, he spent five years with Charlton Athletic, firstly as an assistant manager and then moving into the manager's role in 2021.
Prior to Johnnie's managerial career, the Englishman had an eighteen-year playing career that started with Tottenham and ended with Charlton. The former midfielder made twenty Premier League appearances throughout his time at Spurs and scored on one occasion against Charlton. During his nine year spell at Charlton, Jackson won the League One title, with him being a part of the 2011/12 squad that finished on 101 points.
Player to Watch
A player for Vale fans to keep an eye out for is Mathew Stevens. Stevens is Wimbledon’s top scorer this season with five goals. To go with this, he has contributed two assists. The striker is following in the same vein as his last season, where he scored seventeen goals in the league, helping his side win promotion. Stevens has started all but one league game so far this season, proving how important he is to this Wimbledon side.
Fixture Throwback
Wimbledon 2-2 Port Vale, 24th January 2013
Micky Adams’ Port Vale faced Wimbledon away from home for just the second time in the club's history. It was a game that featured live on Sky Sports and saw Vale come from two goals down to salvage a point. This season proved to be a great one for Vale as they were automatically promoted come May.
The home side raced into the lead as Jack Midson smartly converted past Chris Neal in the Vale goal. Wimbledon were awarded a penalty just before half-time by former Premier League referee, Graham Scott. Midson converted the penalty and grabbed his second goal of the game.
Vale’s comeback began two minutes later as Daniel Jones scored his one and only goal for the Valiants. Jones took aim from thirty yards and fired an effort into the bottom corner, leaving Neil Sullivan with no chance. Vale legend Tom Pope completed the comeback just shy of the hour mark. A poor pass back was pounced upon by Pope, who took the ball around the keeper and finished smartly from a tight angle.
