Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup match against AFC Wimbledon, which was supposed to take place on Tuesday, has been postponed due to flooding at AFC Wimbledon’s stadium. The heavy rain caused extensive flooding of the River Wandle and surrounding areas, leading to significant damage to the pitch and walkways around the ground.
As a result, the match has been rescheduled and will now be played at Newcastle’s St James’ Park ground on 1st October. The decision to move the fixture to the north east was made following an agreement between both clubs and approval from the management committee of the competition.
AFC Wimbledon, who beat Bromley and Ipswich on penalties to reach the third round, will now have to find an alternative venue for their League Two match against Crewe, which was also scheduled for 1st October. The club is still trying to find a solution as their stadium has suffered significant flooding at ground level, affecting various areas including the offices, shop, museum, reception, and tunnel.
Despite the setbacks, AFC Wimbledon remains determined to overcome this challenge by working together and appreciates the support and offers of help from volunteers and members. Several independent contractors have already assessed the site for surface level investigations, with further investigations planned in the coming days to complete the necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
The club has asked for patience from fans and stakeholders while they finalize their plans and begin the repair work. They are committed to getting the stadium ready for future matches and are grateful for the understanding and encouragement they have received during this difficult time.
In the meantime, AFC Wimbledon is set to host Accrington in League Two on Saturday, but the club has stated that there is no possibility of the match taking place at the Cherry Records Stadium. They are actively working on finding a suitable alternative venue for the upcoming game as they continue to assess the extent of the damage caused by the flooding.
The resilience and determination shown by AFC Wimbledon in the face of this unexpected challenge is a testament to the club’s spirit and unity. With the support of their fans and community, they are confident that they will be able to overcome this setback and return to playing at their home ground as soon as possible.