AFC WIMBLEDON midfielder James Ball says the League Two side are not just going to Chelsea this week to make up the numbers.
Ball came off the bench midway through the first half against Forest Green on Saturday to replace skipper Jake Reeves and shortly afterwards headed the Dons in front.
That was the 27-year-old’s first goal since joining from Rochdale this summer and although it was cancelled out by Troy Deeney’s second half equaliser, the 1-1 draw ensures Wimbledon head to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday unbeaten.
Ball told AFC Wimbledon’s YouTube channel: “We’ve just been trying to focus on the next game.
“A cliché that it is, obviously the league is our bread and butter. Wednesday’s game is obviously a nice occasion but it is one where we want to give it our best shot.
“Our form is really good and if we can keep that going it would be brilliant.
“It is still a good point today. They’ve just come down from League One so we are just trying to keep the momentum up into the next game.
“The gaffer said in there we are going to go (to Chelsea) and make a game of it, we’re not just going to go there and accept we are playing against Chelsea.
“We want to give it a good shot and that’s what we will do.”
Even though the draw with Forest Green maintains that unbeaten record, Ball felt the Dons should have emerged with even more to show for their efforts.
“Looking back of the game I think everyone is disappointed that we didn’t get the three points,” he said.
“We had the chances to probably extend our lead at 1-0 but if you don’t take your chances sometimes it can come back to bite you.
“Unfortunately it did today but it is still a good result, a good week of results so I think the lads are still positive about it.”
Ball’s 22nd minute introduction for the injured Reeves might not have been the plan before kick-off but it was an enforced substitution which ultimately proved productive.
He added: “Obviously it was early and wasn’t expected but it is nice to get some minutes.
“I thought I done ok. I got the goal quite early on which is good to settle in. It was a shock but something I was ready for.
“We had a lot of chances. They had a couple early on but I think we limited them.
“They were struggling to break us down at times and we did really well to prevent them from scoring.”
Ball says he is settling in well to life at Plough Lane after making the switch from Spotland and has been impressed with everything at his new home.
“I’m pretty happy,” he said.
“It is a really good group of lads and we are on a real good run.
“We are still undefeated in the league, we’ve got a good draw in the cup so it is really good.”
