Match Preview | Argyle v AFC Wimbledon

Argyle and AFC Wimbledon meet on Wednesday, competing for a place in the last eight of the Papa Johns Trophy.

The sides already know their potential quarter-final opponents: Bristol Rovers await the victors in the New Year.

The game on Wednesday is the second attempt to get the game on. Last week, the original fixture fell foul to the exceptionally cold weather.

To reach this stage, Wimbledon advanced through a group containing Portsmouth, Crawley Town and Aston Villa Under-21s. The Dons beat the latter two sides, and drew with Portsmouth before losing a penalty shoot-out.

In the second round, Wimbledon got a home draw as group winners, and beat Sutton United 1-0.

In league matters, Wimbledon are 12th in Sky Bet League Two, with 30 points from 21 games. They have not played since 10 December, as their scheduled home game on Saturday against Stevenage was postponed.

The Dons have been in good form, losing just once in their last 13 games in all competitions. They are unbeaten in eight in the league, and have kept clean sheets in their last five league fixtures. Their run has included a 2-0 win over runaway league leaders Leyton Orient, who have lost just twice this season.

The good run led to Johnnie Jackson being named Sky Bet League Two manager of the month for November, for seven points gained out of nine during the month.

Jackson has been in charge at Plough Lane since May 2022. Prior to that, he was Charlton Athletic boss for just under a year, continuing a long association with the Addicks. As a player, he had a loan spell with Charlton in 2009/10 that he made permanent, and would go on to play 275 times for them.

Jackson, now 40, also played over 100 times for Colchester United, and represented Notts County, Derby County, Watford, Swindon Town, Coventry City and Tottenham Hotspur.

Kick-off Time
The game kicks off at 7pm. 

Nance’s Notes
“[Wimbledon have] made changes in the Papa Johns Trophy, as we have. To gauge their team is a little more difficult than if it was a league game, but they will want to keep their run of form going. They’ll be saying the same things we are saying. They see a potential trip to Wembley not too far away too, and they’ll come down expecting to give us a right good game.

Team News
Mickel Miller, Conor Grant, Brendan Galloway and Finn Azaz will all miss out through injury. In previous Trophy games, Callum Burton has played in goal, while several young pros and players from the Argyle Under-18s side have featured to some degree.

Tickets
Tickets remain available to purchase online at argyletickets.com. The Home Park Ticket Office will be open until kick-off for supporters wishing to purchase on the day of the fixture.

Turnstiles will open from 5.30pm. 

Argyle TV
Live video coverage of the game is available for £10 for both domestic and international supporters. Click here to see details of how to view in your region.

Commentary of the game will be provided by Charlie Price and Rhys Wilmot.