Second AFC Wimbledon game postponed after sinkhole in pitch

Flooding at the Cherry Red Records Stadium forced the Dons to postpone their Carabao Cup tie with Newcastle earlier this week

Severe flooding opened up a sinkhole at the Cherry Red Records Stadium (Joe Giddens/PA)

AFC Wimbledon’s Sky Bet League Two clash with Accrington Stanley on Saturday has been postponed after the hosts were unable to secure a viable alternative venue.

The sides were scheduled to meet at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, which was hit by flooding on Monday after parts of the country experienced a month’s rainfall in 24 hours.

Now club officials have been forced to admit defeat in their efforts to stage the fixture elsewhere.

A statement on the Dons’ official X account said: “Despite significant efforts at AFC Wimbledon in the last 48 hours, it has not been possible to secure a viable alternative ground for Saturday, meaning our game against Accrington Stanley is postponed.”

Wimbledon were due to host Premier League Newcastle in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday evening, but the game was called off after a sinkhole opened up as a result of the flooding.

The tie has now been rearranged for next Tuesday at the Magpies’ St James’ Park Stadium.

Supporter Graham Stacey later launched a Just Giving appeal to help fund repair work, swiftly surpassing his £50,000 target with the help of a £15,000 donation from Newcastle.

PA