Familiar faces set to clash in AFC Wimbledon’s first 2024-25 League Two outing – with Colchester coming to Plough Lane

There will be a handful of familiar facing up against each other on Saturday afternoon at Plough Lane as AFC Wimbledon welcome Colchester for the first outing of the 2024-25 League Two season.

Ex-Wimbledon striker Lyle Taylor joined Danny Cowley’s side over the summer following his release from Cambridge.

The 34-year-old was open to an emotional return to the Dons, where he scored 55 goals in 150 matches, but penned a one-year deal with the U’s for the upcoming campaign.

John-Kymani Gordon will also return to SW19 after spending the second half of last season on loan with the Dons.

The ex-Crystal Palace youngster joined the U’s on a two-year deal this summer after leaving Selhurst Park on a permannt basis.

Former AFC Wimbledon captain Alex Woodyard returns to the EFL after having his contract terminated with National League side York.

The 30-year-old made 123 appearances for the Dons and left at the start of the 2023-24 season.

Alfie Bendle, 19, has joined Colchester on a one-year deal after his release from Forest Green.

Bendle made 17 appearances for Wimbledon before leaving at the start of the 2023-24 season to join Forest Green, who were relegated from League Two at the end of the campaign.

Former AFC Wimbledon first-team coach and interim boss Simon Bassey is helping with Colchester’s recruitment this summer.

The Dons snapped up former Colchester loanees Alistair Smith and Owen Goodman this summer.

Goodman spent the whole season with the U’s, making 40 appearances in his first senior loan spell.

Smith joined in the second half of the season and turned out 15 times.

Dons boss Johnnie Jackson turned out 123 times for Colchester as a player, winning the 2007-08 Player of the Season award.