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Thursday 26 February 2004 Surrey Premier Challenge Cup
AFC Wimbledon
5
-
0
Molesey Reserves
Match report
The Reserves were keen to avenge the earlier heavy league defeat at the hands of Molesey and were soon on the offensive in this Surrey Premier Cup Third round tie.
In the seventh minute they won a corner and as James Earp attempted to head the ball goalwards he was clumsily bundled to the ground by Molesey's number nine Julian Phillips. The referee did not hesitate in awarding a penalty, which Lewis Taylor calmly converted. The Dons were in a lively mood and in the 11th minute increased their lead when a neat pass from James Earp found Marc Skinner moving in from the right. As the keeper advanced, Skinner slotted the ball under his body to make it 2-0. Molesey mounted the occasional attack and mainly attempted to use the aerial threat of the tall Julian Phillips. However Lewis Taylor and Sam Elliott marshalled him well and Ray Merry in the Wimbledon goal was rarely troubled.
In the 28th minute another fine passing move found Mickey Fernandes 20 yards from goal and his shot was deflected in to increase the lead. AFC Wimbledon mounted wave after wave of attacks and James Earp, Rob Hill and Jones Bamfo all went close. In the 38th minute Paul Quinn started an attack down the left and found Jones Bamfo who beat two defenders before rifling home a shot from 20 yards. Unfortunately as Quinn made the pass he was the victim of a very late tackle and had to receive lengthy treatment for a knock just below the knee. He did return to action momentarily but was unable to continue and had to be replaced by Dave Towse. On 43 minutes it was 5-0 to the Dons as Jones Bamfo was upended in the box for another clear penalty, which again was drilled home by Lewis Taylor.
The second half saw Molesey mount some early attacks but most of their goal bound efforts were from distance as the AFC Wimbledon back line held firm. The Dons soon found their attacking momentum again and could have easily added to their lead had it not been for a number of fine saves from Aburn in the Molesey goal. Joe Hill, Jones Bamfo, Dave Towse, Lewis Taylor and Mickey Fernandes all had efforts saved or just off target as the Dons pushed forward with fluent passing movements. Andrew Trefry and Ken During replaced Mickey Fernandes and Marc Skinner and During was unlucky not to score against his old team when his downward header from a Rob Hill cross somehow bounced over the crossbar. AFC Wimbledon were unable to add to their five goal tally in the second half but dominated this cup tie from start to finish with a fine footballing performance. They now meet Crescent Rovers in the quarter finals.
