Rescheduled Carabao Cup tie follows crowdfunder that raised more than £120,000 after flood damage to home pitch

All the discussion about AFC Wimbledon in recent weeks has been focused on the pitch – not performances but the gaping hole in one corner caused by flooding. Crowdfunding efforts in the aftermath were paused after raising a little more than £120,000, but match postponements could not have come at a worse time after the team’s promising start to the season.

Wimbledon sit sixth in League Two despite playing two games fewer than everyone above them owing to the sinkhole at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. They have won four of their opening six matches, and throw in knocking out Premier League Ipswich as part of their run to the third round of the Carabao Cup, they have little to fear going into their rearranged tie at Newcastle on Tuesday.