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Sunday 12 October 2003 Epsom & Ewell League U14 Premier
AFC Wimbledon
2
-
0
Croygas U14
Match report
AFC WIMBLEDON U14 2 - CROYGAS 0
Manager Ben Canham expected a tough test from Croygas, especially with Aaron Reid on holiday, and he wasn't wrong. Kicking off quarter of an hour late due to traffic congestion, Croygas were fastest out of the blocks, and created several half chances in the first ten minutes, before AFC finally pushed forward themselves with two chances from through balls in quick succession; Sam Manzambi scuffing his shot wide and James Bailey just beaten to the ball by the keeper. Croygas bounced back and could have taken the lead after twelve minutes when a cross from the right skimmed the head of an incoming forward. Again the action returned to the other end, but this time with more persistence, as Dons settled into the game. With fifteen on the clock, Manzambi ran onto a long punt from Jamie Henley and lobbed the onrushing keeper only to see the ball drop wide. Four minutes later Bailey was put through but dragged his shot wide of the post and five minutes after that Tom Savage's in-swinging corner from the right slipped through the keepers hands but was cleared off the line.
The second half started with a nasty clash of heads involving Bailey, but after a couple of minutes attention the youngster was able to continue. Croygas had their best chance of the match, but wasted some good work down the right flank by shooting over. Three chances in six minutes fell to Manzambu, three times chasing onto balls over the top and out-pacing the keeper, but twice lobbing high and wide and once shooting across goal and past the post. Only ten minutes into the half and Declan Connery forced a smart save from the keeper, who pushed the ball behind both Manzambi and Bailey who were waiting to pounce on any rebound. Two minutes later and Bailey's half hit shot was only half cleared and his second effort was blocked. Fifteen minutes in and Lawrence Ebanks made room for himself and forced another good save from the keeper with a low drive. A quiet spell followed, punctuated only by Alan Bryant's 30 yard volley that sailed over, and it looked like both sides were happy to avoid defeat. However, two late goals sealed another AFC victory. The first from Bailey, a neat turn on the edge of the box followed by a powerful shot into the roof of the net. The second from Manzambi, finally converting one of the gilt-edged chances that he'd had during the game.
A good win against a very competent side, and it could (and should) have been by several goals more!
