Weymouth head to Plough Lane for the first round replay following their 1-1 draw with the Dons, Ahkeem Rose’s smart free kick in the 70th minute cancelled out Ayoub Assal’s opener.
Whilst the Dorset-based side have only collected eight points in the National League South, they will be heading to the capital with confidence – already proving that they can go toe-to-toe with the Dons who are unbeaten in six.
Nathan Carlyle, who joined permanently following his contract expiry at the Hoops, impressed on loan last season and notched his first professional goal with a stupendous volley in his final game.
The 21-year-old is eager to cause a shock this Tuesday and believes that their form could not come at a better time, “Keeping the form is crucial for us, we go into this game believing we can win.
“It’s a great mentality to have, it is all down to the management team pushing us.”
The FA Cup presents an opportunity for teams outside the football pyramid to impress and even upset those within, managing to take the League Two outfit into a replay, how does Nathan feel as he prepares to play at Plough Lane?
“I am grateful to play at a football league, I am sure everyone is too. We do not want this moment to pass us by and I will give my all.
“There is a calmness about us, we have shown we can compete and we are ready to do it again.”
From their three qualifying round wins alone, Weymouth curated £18,375 in prize money before they even reached the first round proper – which only guarantees a mouth-watering amount of money for non-league clubs.
With only a few days between the games, how has Bobby Wilkinson prepared his men now knowing how Wimbledon function?
“We played them only 10 days ago, I thought it was game we could have won.
“We know they are very dangerous and have loads of top players, plus their crowd on their side will help them. But I know what we have got in this group and we, have kind of, been the underdogs all season which is fine with us.
“We just need to show the belief that has been present recently.”
Johnnie Jackson’s side are in a rich vein of home form – winning back-to-back home games in the league – most recently defeating, league leaders Leyton Orient 2-0.
Meanwhile, the Terras have suffered successive defeats from their last two travels.
The game takes place at 7:45 on Tuesday, 15th. Whoever progress to the second round proper, will host Vanarama National League side Chesterfield – the Spireites knocked Northampton Town out in the first round.
