As you will all know we don’t extend our usual match coverage to the Papa John’s Trophy games, trying to do a preview of the game is virtually impossible simply because you have no idea what sort of team one or both managers are going to field.
You will recall we beat Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium in our first match 2-1, Jay Bird and Harry Darling with the goals, while Wycombe Wanderers our opponents on Tuesday night lost 3-1 at home to Aston Villa U21, a victory or a winning draw after penalties in this game will guarantee us a place in the next round.
The man in the middle is Christopher Pollard from Suffolk and the last time we saw him was also in a PJT game at home to Northampton Town in September 2020 where we won 3-1. On that day Russell Martin handed debuts to Laurie Walker and Warren O’Hora. The goal scorers after falling 1-0 behind were Regan Poole with his first ever goal for the Dons, the other two coming from Sam Nombe and Matthew Sorinola just two minutes apart.
The Team that day was – Walker, Lewington, Poole, Cargill, Kasumu, O’Hora, Sorensen (Freeman 70), Nombe, Mason (Morris 61), Houghton, Sorinola.
Subs: Nicholls, Brittain, Davies, Jallow, Black.
Mr Pollard has reffed just one game this season, the 1-1 draw between Forest Green Rovers and Northampton Town also in this competition. Last season he oversaw 27 games dishing out 84 yellow cards, 5 yellow/ red card offences, 3 straight reds, and in addition awarding 7 penalties.
Ref Pollard will be assisted by Stuart Butler and Kevin Howick on the flags with Christopher Kidd taking care of the 4th Official duties.
