AFC Wimbledon so close to taking that all-important Conference call

13 April 2012

AFC Wimbledon are just 90 minutes away from taking another huge step on their journey back to the Football League.

The club, formed by supporters who objected to Wimbledon's relocation and re-branding as Milton Keynes Dons, face a crunch derby with Hampton and Richmond on Saturday knowing that a draw will see them promoted to the Conference.

It's been a long road for AFC Wimbledon since they first held trials on Wimbledon Common in the summer of 2002.

Three promotions later and there is the prospect of playing Luton next season - a First Division fixture 17 years ago. But in their way are Conference South rivals Hampton, who under the guidance of former West Ham and England midfielder Alan Devonshire have themselves scaled the football pyramid.

AFC Wimbledon are currently three points clear of second-placed Hampton and the game at the Beveree Stadium is a 3,250 sell-out and Dons' striker Jon Main, who has netted 32 goals this season, says he is confident they can seal their promotion down by the River Thames.

The kitchen-fitter said: "It's a massive game but we are in with a shout. People have been asking me how I felt about the match. My dad has even said he is nervous for me, but I feel alright about it."

The Dons could have had the title wrapped up by now but have been on the wrong end of two controversial decisions of late.

A contentious 2-1 defeat at Eastleigh, the hosts' opening goal came courtesy of a * outrageously blatant hand-ball, was followed by a bizarre incident at Bromley last Monday.

Main had kicked the ball into touch so a team-mate could receive treatment but Bromley scored direct from the restart when Ryan Hall shot at goal rather than returning possession.

It was an incident which saw the game end 2-2, costing the Dons' two points and leaving them fuming, and Main is determined to use those decisions as motivation against Hampton.

He added: "We have had a bit of bad luck lately, but that cannot last forever. After the last game, the gaffer was angry and spoke to us about doing things the right way.

"Everyone was shocked about what happened at Bromley. I always knew there was something funny about their player. He told me he was going to knock the ball back to our goalkeeper, but instead had a shot and scored.

"The manager has used that to spur us on against Hampton and make sure we just get promotion from this league."

Meanwhile, Devonshire insists his side are still gunning for automatic promotion themselves and will not be overawed by the big-spending Dons.

He added: "It will be a big crowd, a local derby but we want to win promotion. We came close last year and want to do better this season.

"It will be a full-house but we have had that already this season when we played West Ham in a pre-season friendly.

"Wimbledon have paid £30,000 for two strikers and that's what big club's do. We've never been able to pay money like that for anyone because we can't afford to.

"So my players just have to go out there and enjoy it and give it their best shot."

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AFC Wimbledon

Christopher Hampton

Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes Dons

AFC Wimbledon so close to taking that all-important Conference call

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