Match Previews

Preview | Gillingham v AFC Wimbledon

11th August

Gillingham v AFC Wimbledon

Carabao Cup First Round

MEMS Priestfield Stadium

Tuesday August 12, 2025

Kick-Off, 7.45pm

Team News:

Gareth Ainsworth has said that he will play a strong side for the Carabao Cup first round fixture against AFC Wimbledon. Josh Andrews, who put in a strong shift during the second half against Walsall, could be in line to start.

Conor Masterson was forced off with a calf problem during the win on Saturday. Sam Gale could be in line to take his place. Ethan Coleman, Jonny Williams, Marcus Wyllie, Lenni Cirino, Jake Turner and Jack Nolan are all available for selection.

AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson said that Omar Bugiel will feature on Tuesday night, having missed out on the matchday squad in the 2-0 win against Lincoln City.

The Wombles will likely make multiple changes for the fixture, as Jackson looks to give other members of his squad the opportunity to impress. Joe Lewis will likely miss the game having come off injured in stoppage time against Lincoln.

Manager Comments:

Gareth Ainsworth - “They are a team that we know well from last season. They’re a very good side and I have a lot of respect for them. They are one of my former clubs and I am looking forward to pitting my wits against them.

“We will be strong on Tuesday and are going for the win.”

Johnnie Jackson - “We’ve gone up a league and our squad is good, and we have competition for places. This is how it’s going to be. When you’re in that team, you need to be on it, and you need to do it. Otherwise, you will come out the team and someone else will get an opportunity.

“What they will do is all get opportunities. We will see a few on Tuesday that didn’t an opportunity today [vs Lincoln] and we want to go there and get through to the next round of the cup.”

Previous Meetings:

The two clubs have met once before in the Carabao Cup, in the first round in 2022.

Lewis Walker nearly scored his first goal for the Football Club in the opening minutes when he was played through on goal. He carried the ball towards the penalty area and was met by the oncoming Nathan Broome before firing wide of the target.

The game remained goalless until the final moments. Mikael Mandron opened the scoring with a fine finish. He received the ball 25 yards from the goal before cutting inside onto his left foot and stroking the ball into the far bottom corner. Gills doubled their advantage, putting the tie to bed two minutes into stoppage time. Jordan Green entered the penalty area before slotting his shot beyond Broome in the hosts' goal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUF_50l5og8

AFC Wimbledon leads the head-to-head, with ten wins to Gillingham’s seven. The fixture has also seen seven draws.

Tickets:

Home supporters can buy tickets online, or in person, up until kick-off. Our ticketing desk will be open from 9am on the day of the fixture. Away fans can also purchase online via their dedicated away portal until 7:45pm.