September 24 – Torrential rain has forced League 2 AFC Wimbledon’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Newcastle United to be postponed due to a sinkhole caused by heavy flooding at the club’s Plough Lane stadium.
The pitch, severely damaged by heavy rain, was left in a state that appeared more akin to a golf course bunker than a football pitch. More than 100,000 litres of water has now been pumped from the ground.
Flooding from the nearby River Wandle has also affected streets and car parks around the stadium, prompting the club to call off home matches for the next three weeks.
Wimbledon’s Plough Lane stadium only opened in 2020 and followed a long period of anxiety for the club that was only formed in 2002 after the original Wimbledon (who spent played their Premier League games at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park) pulled up its roots and moved to Milton Keynes, later renaming as the MK Dons.
Plough Lane was always considered the spiritual home for the new Wimbledon though fate has once again conspired against them and denied them a home tie against one of England’s biggest clubs.
The postponed cup tie will now take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park next Tuesday. Both clubs, along with the EFL, agreed that moving the fixture to Newcastle was the quickest solution.
The option of playing at St James’ Park this week was ruled out due to insufficient time for ticketing and policing arrangements. Alternative venues in London were also considered but dismissed for the same reasons.
For Newcastle, the match marks their first home tie in the cup.
A statement from Wimbledon read: “We regret to inform fans that due to extensive overnight flooding of the River Wandle, Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round fixture against Newcastle United has been postponed.”
The fixture switch means Newcastle now have a full week to prepare for the visit of Manchester City this weekend in the Premier League. Newcastle sit just three points off City, who currently lead the Premier League on 13 points.
The Magpies will look to capitalise on the Rodri-shaped hole in Pep Guardiola’s midfield, with the Spaniard set for a ‘substantial’ time away from the team after picking up a nasty knee injury just 21 minutes into Sunday’s clash with Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Wimbledon are supposed to host Accrington Stanley this weekend and are looking for an alternative home venue.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734556721labto1734556721oflro1734556721wedis1734556721ni@gn1734556721iwe.y1734556721rrah1734556721