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Sunday 14 September 2003 Epsom & Ewell League U14 Premier
AFC Wimbledon
4
-
1
Stoneleigh Athletic U14
Match report
AFC Wimbledon U14 4 - Stoneleigh Athletic U14 1
Nerves jangling and hearts were pounding in the AFC Wimbledon dressing room before their opening league game of this season against last seasons runners up Stoneleigh.
But that was soon laid to rest as the boys warmed up and the game began. It was then we could see the jitters turn from us to our opponents. An even first 5 minutes soon turned to constant bombardment of the Stoneleigh goal, and the breakthrough came shortly after. Alan Bryant and Aaron Reid combined down the left before Reid unleashed a 25 yard belter which the keeper could only parry up and the ball dropped into the net. Pressure continued from the Dons and the front two kicked up a gear. All game the pace and power of James Bailey and Sam Manzambi was too much for the visitors. And each got their rewards before half time. James Bailey latched on to a bouncing ball 12 yards out and lashed it into the net and then the Stoneleigh keeper scuffed his goal kick, leaving Sam Manzambi to hit the ball into the top corner from an acute angle.
3-0 at half time and the boys took their foot off the gas in the beginning of the second half. Stoneleigh pulled a goal back with 15 minutes left, an unfortunate own goal which flicked off one of our own players from a free kick. The boys then stepped up the pace again and Aaron Reid sent Sam Manzambi through again with an inch perfect through ball and he nearly put a hole in the net with a finish that had people cringing at the thought of what would have happened if the keeper had got in the way of the ball. On the final whistle there was a round of applause from all spectators for what was a fully entertaining game.
A special mention should go to Robert Weatherhead and Daniel Sintim who were outstanding at centre back. If the boys can turn patches of brilliance into more consistent pressure then this could be a promising season for the lads.
