Troubled Tigers tussle with desperate Dons in important League One clash

Two sides battling at opposite ends of the table meet on Saturday as Hull City make their inaugural visit to AFC Wimbledon’s new Plough Lane home.

Despite indifferent form since the turn of the year, Hull still remain part of the automatic promotion picture, currently occupying third place, as the Tigers seek to make an immediate return to the Championship.

Whilst their opponents hope to test their wits at a higher level next season, AFC Wimbledon will be desperate to solidify their status as a League One outfit.

The Dons find themselves precariously positioned at present, residing in 20^th, a solitary point off the bottom three. Admittedly, they hold two games in hand over both Wigan and Northampton, two of the clubs marooned in the relegation places, however, form must drastically improve to take full advantage.

On Tuesday, when facing Gillingham, Mark Robinson’s side made strides, recording a first victory since he was announced as permanent manager.

“Hull will be a different challenge (to Gillingham), but the intensity from us has to keep growing. That’s why I keep saying to the lads that everyone has to realise that they are involved.

“If the intensity in a game drops I need to be able to trust four or five players to come on and lift that intensity again” – Mark Robinson whilst speaking to AFC Wimbledon’s official website

In what was a turgid affair of few chances, Jack Rudoni’s 89^th minute wonderstrike broke the deadlock, securing a pivotal 1-0 win for his side.

AFC Wimbledon edged the first period, denying the visitors a single shot on target. The Dons also fashioned several openings, Ethan Chislett blazing over from six yards away, before Ryan Longman burst into the area on the stroke of half time. He unleashed a powerful strike, but Jack Bonham was equal to it in the Gills goal.

Gillingham were improved in the second half, substitute Jordan Graham worked Sam Walker with a rasping drive, whilst Robbie Cundy and Connor Ogilvie also came close with headed efforts. However, Rudoni’s bolt from the blue sealed maximum points in a contest that appeared destined to end in a draw.

Hull fell to a desperately disappointing 1-0 reverse at home to out of sorts Ipswich Town during midweek.

In a contest seriously impacted by gale force winds, James Norwood’s 15^th minute strike was enough to return to Suffolk with a full points quota.

The Tigers had a magnificent opportunity to draw level 14 minutes after the opener, only for Keane Lewis-Potter to uncharacteristically skew wide from a gilt-edge position.  Hull struggled to test Ipswich goalkeeper Tomas Holy throughout the duration of a deplorable second half and the Tractor Boys saw the result out with ease.

That defeat meant it’s now a solitary victory in six league fixtures for Grant McCann’s men, as their automatic promotion hopes fade by the week. With the four clubs either side of them in the standings boasting two games in hand, the Tigers will be determined to arrest their faltering form at Plough Lane.

“We’ve gone on some really good runs this season already so we know we’re capable of it. It’s just about finding that consistency, finding that momentum.

“The top two have got the consistency at the minute – Lincoln and Peterborough. They’re the ones that have found form and everyone else is searching for that.

“With 15 games to go, we’re in a healthy position. Of course, we can be better” – Grant McCann speaking about this game to the club’s website

Team News

Midfielder Callum Reilly looks poised to return for the Dons. The 27-year-old missed the midweek clash with his former side, Gillingham, but looks to have overcome a hamstring strain and should be in contention.

Also participating alongside Reilly during Thursday’s training session were youthful duo, Jack Madelin and Zach Robinson – the pair subjected to a modified regime as they are eased back into the fray. Forward Ollie Palmer continues to rehab but will not make Saturday’s Tigers encounter.

The visitors are set to receive a boost in the attacking department, with Tom Eaves back in training. The 29-year-old, sidelined since January due to a calf complaint, will travel to the capital confirmed manager Grant McCann.

Head to Head

Hull narrowly edged out AFC Wimbledon in the reverse fixture on Humberside, grinding out a 1-0 victory last October.

Then EFL Young Player of the Month, Keane Lewis-Potter, pounced after Jacob Greaves saw his acrobatic overhead attempt parried, making no mistake from close-range.

The Dons were unfortunate, finding themselves in the ascendancy for long spells. They spurned a handful of opportunities, Jack Rudoni pulling wide with the goal at his mercy, whilst Alex Woodward threatened with a header and Callum Reilly forced Hull stopper Matt Ingram into a sprawling save down low to his right.

Ultimately, Lewis-Potter’s effort just shy of the interval proved to be the difference, the Tigers standing firm and in doing so, reaching the League One summit.

The contest earlier this season was the first between the sides, owing to Hull’s fall from grace and AFC Wimbledon’s meteoric rise following reformation in 2002.

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