Match report
As The Colts entered a period of squad transition, a dedicated nucleus of players once again were let down by the lax attitude of too many squad members. Missing training and matches due to altered train patterns is no longer an acceptable reason for AFC Wimbledon. If people do not have the desire to work around things like that to play for this club, then we are happy to take 12 dedicated players and grind out a superb result, as 12 strong willed boys did this week. Tour guide, Gino Borg, ensured a smooth passage to Banstead for the Wimbledon convoy and we arrived in good time to get the boys ready in a professional manner.
Hill was to deputise in goal in place of KEEPER the Bus kicker (broken toe)
Couch, Gridley and Grosvenor made up a chance taking back 3.
Borg, debutant Adams, Oakley, Sarapong and debutant Barrett made up a 5 man midfield who we were hoping would take a firm grip of the game whilst Fagan returned to partner Wellman up front. Jimmy Moon was our sole sub.
Fagan gave the Colts a superb start as he powered down the left before firing over a sweet cross that unfortunately evaded the onrushing Borg. On 3 minutes we were 1-0 down, Hill was beaten by a sweetly struck shot that flew past him, don't worry Brad, you had no chance. Colts were struggling to settle in the 3-5-2, Grosvenor was getting drawn out of position, the midfield were winning no headers and we looked nervy. It was this way for the first 25 minutes but slowly and surely we were getting into gear as the new faces began to settle and the regulars settled into odd positions. Again we were up against a dubious official, this time a club assistant that was not being discreet but the ref stated before the game "If the assistant gives it I will blow!" How re-assuring!
Anyway, after 28 minutes, Wellman swept home a flowing move to level matters with his 9th of the season. Four minutes later Wellman was pulled down from behind, a clear freekick, right under the nose of the assistant and amazingly he gave the goal kick and the ref obviously didnt want to overrule his assistant, I mean how could he? While I was still whining about it, their keeper took the free kick, it bounced about in the centre for a while before Barrett (Jimmy B) lashed a thirty yarder into the top corner, did he mean it? A shot? A cross? Who cares, it was justice! 2-1 Colts.
A second half saw a one sided game, Colts all the way. Hill rarely touched the ball, Grosvenor looked solid and made some great tackles, Gridley looked assured and classy, Couch got into a fight!! and if possible took his effort up to 300%, The 5 in midfield grafted, Sarapong, you must keep this up! Moon played his best game so far, Barrett settled in well and closed out goal of the season, Oakley was a driving force and Borg was faultless and creative. Wellman was non stop and dangerous, Adams dug in on his debut but Man of the Match went to Fagan, left out the week before, he was a constant threat with his runs and pace and fully deserved his second half goal that clinched the match.
Well done boys, you make up the nucleus of the team. All you have to do now is keep training and stick together! Do that and we will stick by you!
|
