Johnnie Jackson makes Plough Lane wait admission as AFC Wimbledon get back to winning ways with 4-0 victory over Carlisle

Johnnie Jackson admitted it has been a frustrating wait to get back to Plough Lane after games had to be postponed following the damage caused by the River Wandle flooding.

Saturday’s League Two clash against Carlisle was the first time the Dons had played at home since September 14 – a 3-0 win over Milton Keynes.

More than 51mm (2ins) of rain fell in the local area, almost three times Wimbledon’s average rainfall for the month, overnight on 22 September after the River Wandle burst for the first time since 1968.

Games at home to Newcastle in the EFL Cup and Accrington Stanley and Crewe all had to be rearranged as repairs were being made to the stadium.

More than 120k was raised by the JustGiving page set up to help the South Londoners with the cost of fixing the stadium and pitch.

Around 100,000 litres of water was pumped from the stadium and a replacement section of the pitch was laid on Monday following repairs to the attenuation tank beneath the pitch. 

Wimbledon’s 4-0 win over Carlisle on Saturday saw them win their sixth league home game in a row since 2009.

The Dons are the only side in League Two with a 100 per cent win rate at home.

“It’s been frustrating,” said Jackson.

“We were flying at home and missed out on the opportunity to play here [in the league] in games where we felt we could pick points up.

“We have fallen three games behind most teams and consequently fallen down the league a little bit.

“We didn’t feel as though we had a mid-table start, but if you looked at it before today, that’s where we found ourselves.

“It’s been testing on the lads with the travel. There have been long away games with big journeys. 

“It’s been tough on them physically and mentally too.”

PICTURES: KYLE ANDREWS