Forget the clash of the Titans, this weekend’s FA Cup clash between AFC Wimbledon and Forest Green Rovers is more about the clash of the beasts.

However, Adebayo “the Beast” Akinfenwa firmly believes the Dons defence will tame John “The Beast” Parkin.

The striker is also convinced no one will be taking non-League Rovers for granted – mostly because they top the National League, and sit only 14 places below the Dons in the football pyramid.

And if recent form counts for anything in the FA Cup, Akinfenwa has every right to be confident on the back of three consecutive wins.

He said: “We are not taking this game lightly at all. We know there is very little difference in quality between the top of the National League and League Two.

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“Rovers will be coming to us wanting to show potential opponents next season what they are all about.”

He added: “But we go into the game in confident mood on the back of some good form, and winning breeds that confidence.

Wimbledon Times:

John Parkin: The beast of Forest Green Rovers

“We want to still be on a winning run when we go to Portsmouth in the league the following weekend, so that is what we’ll be aiming for.

“But we all know what the magic of the FA Cup is about, it’s just about who turns up on the day, and we need to make sure it is us.”

The match has been billed as a “Battle of the Beasts” with Akinfenwa and Parkin going head to head, and while the tagline is eye-catching, there is respect between the players.

Akinfenwa said: “John is to be respected and he is very good at what he does, but I am confident our defence will be able to tame the beast of Forest Green."

While Parkin said: “’The Beast’ tag and the comparison with Adebayo doesn’t bother me one bit -people can make of it what they want.”