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Wednesday 22 October 2008 Ryman Youth League, North East Division
AFC Wimbledon continued their unbeaten league run with a victory over Corithian Casuals last night.
There are no easy games in this league and even though we defeating Casuals 2 - 0 at Banstead Athletic a few weeks back in the home game this was never a comfortable ride. Casuals were a determined disciplined side that threw bodies in the way of shots and were also a threat going the other way.
AFC were far too casual in the first half even though early signs showed the Dons were the dominant side. Peter Rapson put AFC ahead with a sublime half volley in the 24th minute, his ninth goal of the season in only 5 games. We had chances before and after the goal to score but good defending and poor finishing gave Casuals hope. In the 30th minute Casuals equalised when a cross-field ball was intercepted outside the AFC box with the Casuals forward finishing well after being put through. The unthinkable happened two minutes before half time as sloppy defending gave Casuals the chance to go ahead, an advantage they took into the break.
Half Time 2 - 1
Having tinkered with the formation for the second half AFC came out a more determined side and dominated the game till the finish. From a 58th minute james Stenning corner the outstanding Rapson flicked on to find Jack Stafford at the back post where he scored via the crossbar. AFC then went ahead in the 64th minute as Jordan Hutchinson robbed the fullback and went through one on one with the keeper sliding the ball into the bottom corner. The game was put to bed by James Stenning as a Harry Knock cross gave Stenning the chance to finish at the back post to give AFC another three points.
The second half performance was excellent in contrast to the first, although both Harry Knock and Pete Rapson were both outstanding for the whole 90 minutes.
