[ridgeway]

In the first ever game for AFC Wimbledon 4654 fans (official figures) packed Sutton United's Gander Green Lane. There were so many people they had to delay the kick off for 45 minutes.

The Wimbledon fans sung from start to finish cheering on the new dons, and attacking crystal palace, Milton Keynes and Charles Koppell with every opportunity. They were relentless - creating an amazing atmosphere.

The match itself was good. Wimbledon played with a lot of flair - their midfielders played a few tricks with the ball. Their lack of playing as a team started to unravel in the second half when Matt Gray (Sutton's winger) and Kevin Cooper ripped their defence apart - their defence looked very shaky. Sutton deservedly won but 4 -0 was a little too complimentary. As regards the Dons their fans sang long after the match had finished and a large majority of their fans went on the pitch to cheer on their new team.

On the plus side AFC Wimbledon's side looked good in the first half. They had a classy midfielder - cant remember his name (he was 17 or thereabouts) who could play. They passed the ball well - they should climb out of the combined league at the first attempt - at least with the great following they have got.

Bazz


http://www.btinternet.com/~barry.kerr

 

[Jonny]

Over four and a half thousand fans crammed into Gander Green Lane last night for the first ever AFC Wimbledon game. Despite conceding four second half goals the final whistle saw a mini pitch invasion as fans rushed on to thank and congratulate their new team.

It may have been all new faces on the pitch but off the pitch it was all the same old faces lined up along the terraces. And I do mean ALL. Everyone turned out for this one. Pre match the queue was winding way back down Gander Green Lane, and that was just to buy the commemorative Yellow and Blue programme.

Inside chairman Kris Stewart and commercial director Ivor Hellor were looking as pleased as punch as they unveiled the club's new sponsor - Sports Interactive, creators of the best selling Championship Manager game - to the gathered media. The Islington based firm have signed a six figure plus three year deal with the club.

Ivor described AFC Wimbledon as a "commercially viable operation," and, subverting a bit of Brunswick spin, said it was "a unique solution to a unique problem."

Kris was in buoyant mood as he batted back the, admittedly gentle, questions from the press. Did he have a message for Koppel? "Tonight is about Wimbledon and therefore nothing to do with Charles Koppel."

Asked how he felt about the task he had taken on he said he probably had quite an easy job because "I don't have to do very much to be better than the last one."

Of course things weren't quite as smooth on the pitch but that was to be expected, as this was largely a getting to know you exercise. Terry Eames admitted before hand that the days since the trial have basically been about "breaking down numbers." Tactics and formation will come later.

So though tonight they played like a bunch of individuals who'd never really met each other before, it has to be said that a few of those individuals look to be pretty talented and in the first half we held Sutton pretty well. We even had a first half goal disallowed for no clear reason. At least no reason clear to us at the other end of the pitch.

 

[Fred Elliot]

Where will AFC Wimbledon be playing their home games?

 

[lskydiver]

I think they're gonna play at Kingstonian's ground.

 

[Jonny]

Yep, Kingstonians ground