MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon will finally meet in a league competition following the latter’s play-off promotion from Sky Bet League Two.
The Wombles ran out 2-0 winners over Plymouth Argyle at Wembley with late goals from Lyle Taylor and Adebayo Akinfenwa, sealing the club’s sixth promotion in 14 seasons of existence. Taylor scored with a flick from Callum Kennedy’s cross, before a very late penalty won by Adebayo Azeez was struck low into the corner by the departing Akinfenwa.
There was a whole league between these two clubs in the season just played, but next season, for the first time, they will be on level terms in what is set to be a very interesting League One campaign.
It is testament to Wimbledon’s progress that they are finally be in the same league as their arch enemies, and perhaps even a sign of MK Dons’ regression. If they were not to get out of League One in 2016/17, it would have to go down as a great disappointment now that some of the so-called ‘bigger teams’ have escaped the league.
Many people may be thinking now that it will be a season of struggle for AFC Wimbledon, coming into a higher league with a small stadium and small budget, but it would be wrong to rule them out of having a good season. How many people really expected Burton Albion to be promoted? It can be done.
MK Dons have some serious rebuilding to do following their Championship relegation if they are to push for promotion once again in League One, and to save losing to their enemies again. In three games between the two sides, the Dons have run out winners on two occasions (firstly in the FA Cup and then in the 2014/15 Capital One Cup). AFC Wimbledon were the victors in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash, with a late goal from Akinfenwa giving them their moment of glory.
It’s already confirmed that Jordan Spence, Antony Kay, Matt Upson and Nicky Maynard are leaving the club, and this week they have been joined by USA international Cody Cropper after just one season at the club. The goalkeeper made 12 appearances in his short time at stadium.mk.
AFC Wimbledon will certainly be looking to cause some upsets this season, and none more so than against their biggest rivals in Milton Keynes.
