AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Aldershot
Kingsmeadow
28/1/12
att 4,634 with 683 shots
Non game Snaps
You can take the ground out of non-league.......
But it'll always be non-league. Beginning the day at PDMHQ train station we couldn't help but feel that Aldershot would be royally trounced by a team that a few weeks ago had been below us, but were showing form they would finish higher up the table. Aldershot had, after all, just released our best player in Luke Guttridge less then a week after selling McGlashan to Cheltenham. Meanwhile coming into the EBB stadium was the impressive signing of Guy Madjo from Stevenage and the not so impressive signing of Stephen Payne. Add to that we hadn't scored in 10 hours of football. In fact it had been that long since we last won! (and the rare visit of phil ;)) Yes you'd have to go back to the 10th of December to see our last goal in a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town.
Most websites state that Norbiton station to Kingsmeadow is a twenty minute walk. They are in fact wrong. It takes 10. So with lots of time on our hands we were able to wander round getting a few snaps. The ground wasn't new for us, as it is also the home of Kingstonian, whom the shots met several times in our journey of NL. There have been a few changes in this time. For one Wimbledon now own the ground, leasing it to Kingstonian. The Kingston Road end has been re-profiled and has 5 rater steep looking steps and a new roof above. Next to it is the Main stand. It holds about 800 and I imagine is the comfiest you can get in the ground. It also houses two social clubs (home fans only). The other end is the largest terrace. It looked about 11/12 steps high and also had a new roof above it. The away end was shared with the home fans (half and half) and was partially covered. The view from the away end made the North bank at Aldershot feel like Wembley. The dugouts and TV gantry obstruct the views, while 700 is extremely optimistic for the capacity. It was cramped to say the least!
The game, however, was a pleasant delight. Aldershot pressured early and had some half decent chances. On 13 minutes Anthony Straker made a darting run before a one two with Madjo and a deflected finish to put Aldershot in the lead! Unbelievable! The Dons upped the pressure and were rewarded around the 25 minute mark. A free kick came in and bounced off Ben Herd's back side leaving Worner Stranded. 1-1. I don't remember what happened between but around the 75 minute mark Straker blasted the ball from the wing, it took a deflection. We had scored again! we held on to win 2-1.
We knew what to expect when arriving at Kingsmeadow, but I can't help but feel it wasn't designed to host 4,500. Yes there have been a few note worthy changes but ultimately it is Non-league. Not that I care as it is 3 unexpected points towards safety.
Most websites state that Norbiton station to Kingsmeadow is a twenty minute walk. They are in fact wrong. It takes 10. So with lots of time on our hands we were able to wander round getting a few snaps. The ground wasn't new for us, as it is also the home of Kingstonian, whom the shots met several times in our journey of NL. There have been a few changes in this time. For one Wimbledon now own the ground, leasing it to Kingstonian. The Kingston Road end has been re-profiled and has 5 rater steep looking steps and a new roof above. Next to it is the Main stand. It holds about 800 and I imagine is the comfiest you can get in the ground. It also houses two social clubs (home fans only). The other end is the largest terrace. It looked about 11/12 steps high and also had a new roof above it. The away end was shared with the home fans (half and half) and was partially covered. The view from the away end made the North bank at Aldershot feel like Wembley. The dugouts and TV gantry obstruct the views, while 700 is extremely optimistic for the capacity. It was cramped to say the least!
The game, however, was a pleasant delight. Aldershot pressured early and had some half decent chances. On 13 minutes Anthony Straker made a darting run before a one two with Madjo and a deflected finish to put Aldershot in the lead! Unbelievable! The Dons upped the pressure and were rewarded around the 25 minute mark. A free kick came in and bounced off Ben Herd's back side leaving Worner Stranded. 1-1. I don't remember what happened between but around the 75 minute mark Straker blasted the ball from the wing, it took a deflection. We had scored again! we held on to win 2-1.
We knew what to expect when arriving at Kingsmeadow, but I can't help but feel it wasn't designed to host 4,500. Yes there have been a few note worthy changes but ultimately it is Non-league. Not that I care as it is 3 unexpected points towards safety.