Match report
AFC Wimbledon
Ransom, Farrell, Holmes, Dean, Cheadle (Snelling 55), Pigden (capt.), Gigleo, Gilbert, Fianyor, Hutchings, Dunk (Ogeanufe 56)
Subs not used: Martin, Reid, Poupart
Booked: none
Scorers:
Dunk 5
Hutchings 90
Leighton Town
Burt, Schofield, Norton, Elliott (capt.), Forsythe, Wright, Thomas, Hagan, Ord, Headley, Hamilton
Subs: Woolfson, Green, Fryer
Subs not used: Hynd, Parish
Booked: none
The Under 19s made their way through to the First Round of the FA Youth Cup with a solid performance against similarly young opposition.
In front of an enthusiastic crowd approaching 200 at Kingsmeadow, the young Dons started fast and direct. In the 5th minute a huge free kick from within their own half was hoisted towards the edge of the Leighton penalty area. Hesitancy amongst the defenders left the goalkeeper stranded on the 18 yard line, unable to challenge, giving Harrison Dunk a straightforward header into an empty net. He completed with ease.
Leighton Town made only one foray upfield in the first 20 minutes. Otherwise it was constant pressure from the home side. culminating in a mazy run by David Fianyor. Beating the full back down the right touchline with his pace, then two more defenders with his trickery, Fianyor drew the keeper, then slid a cross to Dunk, who skied horribly from 4 yards.
The exchanges became more evenly matched as Leighton Town fought back into the contest. Elliott Ransom in the home goal was looking comfortable, taking crosses with ease.
On the half hour, heroics were required as Ransom saved well, and recovered brilliantly to block the follow up shot from Hagan, who was guilty of a crucial hesitation.
The home side continued to make the better chances, though. Tommy Hutchings saw his close range effort blocked, then managed to handball as he shaped to convert. Dunk almost repeated his goal as the Leighton goalkeeper, Burt, stranded himself in the face of a diagonal cross, but the header went high.
Controversy arrived just before half-time, when the referee saw an offence as Hutchings and Fianyor robbed a Leighton midfielder of the ball and broke goalwards. His decision to award Leighton a free kick mystified the crowd and the players alike, but was only a precursor for a second half incident.
As the second half kicked off, the AFC Wimbledon board plus Kris Stewart and a number of senior Dons? Trust Board members took their places in the stand. They were joined by Dave Anderson and John Morris, straight from first team training.
The response from the youngsters was impressive. In a repeat of the first period, wave after wave of AFC Wimbledon attacks stretched the visitors? defence. Hutchings and Fianyor continued to torment the Leighton backline. Both went close several times.
The pattern of the first half was repeated as the away team found their rhythm. On 63 minutes, an effort following a corner from the left beat the Dons keeper line. Their next attack brought claims for a penalty for an alleged handball offence.
With 13 minutes to go and the match still in the balance, the match officials made an astonishing series of errors. A Leighton Town free kick, twenty five yards out, hit the underside of the bar, bounced down on the line and was cleared. Meanwhile the referee blew for and indicated an offside decision, despite no flag from the linesman. After consultation between the officials, a drop-ball was awarded, and possession given to the home ?keeper. Surprisingly, and to their credit, there was no protest from the Leighton Town players and coaches.
The match was effectively over as a contest with five minutes on the clock, when one of their substitutes went off injured, leaving them with ten on the pitch. Nevertheless traditional Dons? cup jitters appeared in the closing minutes, with Matt Farrell making a fine, saving tackle.
There was still time for AFC Wimbledon to secure the game. A long cross from the right wing was headed back by Nicolas Ogeanufe for Hutchings to tap in.
Leighton Town manager, Gary Malsbury, was gracious in defeat. ?The early goal was a setback, but from 20 minutes into the match, I thought we competed. Even after the loss of Fryer due to a recurrence of an injury, it was still close until the second goal.? When asked about the referee?s whistle for an offside decision which wasn?t, he had already checked with his players. ?They said ?no?, the ball did not go in.? He continued, ?It was an excellent game of football. I was pleased with our fitness levels for a very young side. A great game, played in good spirit. The players can take credit. At 1-0 it was a fair reflection, but I have no complaints?. In conclusion, ?The defining moment was the double save by Ransom?.
The reward for AFC Wimbledon Under 19s is an away trip to Erith Town in the week commencing 25th September.
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