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AFC WIMBLEDON boss Neil Ardley is once more expected to reshuffle his pack when his team face York City at Bootham Crescent tomorrow.

Ardley has made five changes to his starting line-up for the last two games, opting for a rotation policy due to a punishing schedule at the start of November.

The Dons will arrive at Bootham Crescent having covered a thousand miles during the last week with their trips to North Yorkshire on consecutive weekends sandwiching a midweek clash in Exeter.

That 2-0 defeat was described by Ardley as the worst performance during his first month in charge, providing more reason for the former Wombles midfielder to weigh up his selection options again.

Wimbledon could only name six substitutes in midweek after Charlie Strutton, their FA Cup marksman at Bootham Crescent three days earlier, was struck down by a virus.

He is expected to return to the squad but Ardley will continue to be without crocked trio Sammy Moore (fractured leg), Mat Michel King (back) and Pim Balkestein (knee).

On-loan recruits Jonathan Meades and Jake Reeves, who have arrived from Bournemouth and Brentford respectively, came in for their debuts at Exeter and are expected to retain their places.

Meades was preferred at left-back to Warren Cummings in Devon while Reeves replaced Louis Harris in midfield.

Up to six players will be contesting the three midfield places alongside Reeves with the likes of George Francomb, Jim Fenlon, Rashid Yussuf, Steven Gregory, Stacy Long and Luke Moore all struggling to nail down a regular slot in the team.

In attack, Jack Midson is under pressure from Christian Jolley having failed to net in his last 11 games but leading six-goal marksman Byron Harrison is expected to keep his place despite failing to make the scoresheet in four appearances.

At the other end of the pitch, Wimbledon have League Two’s worst defensive record, shipping 31 goals, including 20 on their travels, which is four more than any other side in the division.

Following a run of one win from their last six matches — a 3-1 home win over Bristol Rovers – Ardley’s men also currently lie fourth-bottom just one point above improving basement boys Barnet.

Wimbledon (possible): Brown, Osano, Antwi, Mambo, Meades, Yussuf, Long, L Moore, Francomb, Harrison, Jolley.

 

Match facts

AFC Wimbledon lost on both of their Blue Square Premier visits to Bootham Crescent.

In April 2010, City won 5-0 with Richard Brodie hitting a hat-trick and Michael Rankine bagging a brace of goals.

On February 1, 2011, Rankine was again on target in a 4-1 win along with Danny Parslow, James Meredith and Ashley Chambers, and the line-up watched by 2,438 was: Ingham, Darville, Parslow, C Smith, Meredith, Mackin (Carruthers), Kerr, J Smith, Chambers (Reed), Rankine (Constantine), Till. Making their debuts were Liam Darville and Scott Kerr.

The original Wimbledon club were unbeaten in their four Football League trips to York, all in the Fourth Division (1978 to 1982), winning three times and drawing once.

It happened on November 10

1934: Maurice Dando hit a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Rotherham United in Division Three North. Jack Eyres and George Bowater were the other scorers watched by 3,992.

1973: Chris Jones was the marksman in a 1-0 home win over Southend United in Division Three (League One) watched by 8,153. It was City’s 13th League game without defeat and their eighth successive clean sheet.

1998: City lost 2-0 at home to Macclesfield Town in front of 2,713 in the Second Division (League One). It was the seventh game without a win.

2007: In the first round of the FA Cup, City lost 1-0 at Bootham Crescent to Havant & Waterlooville and the attendance was 2,001.

Compiled by David Batters