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Sunday 26 October 2008 Surrey Youth League U15 Premier
The hilly Hook United pitch stood up well to the overnight rainfall allowing the game to go ahead. AFC Wimbledon won the coin toss and opted to play downhill for the first half.
The first 10 minutes of the game was a scrappy affair with the main battle for possession being fought in midfield. Hook seemed to be getting more possession but found it difficult to get the ball out of midfield to create any real chances. The only half chance for the Dons during this time was when Dean crossed the ball in well for Danny to run onto, the Hook keeper tapping the ball out of play for a corner. The resulting corner was played just too long and cleared up-field. After the first 10 minutes it was the away side who started to take control of the game enjoying more of the possession, and they didn’t have to wait long to see a reward. 16 minutes into the game Dean won the ball in midfield and his shear determination saw him battle his way through five Hook players before smashing the ball home to take a 1-0 lead.
Hook tried to hit straight back winning a free kick on the edge of the AFC Wimbledon box but the defensive wall was more that a match for Hook and the ball was cleared with ease. The Dons continued to push with shots from Dean, Keenan and Ross. Against the run of play Hook broke quickly beating the Don’s defence to be left one on one with the Don’s keeper. It looked as though Hook were certain to equalise but Jake pulled off a miracle save to keep us ahead. AFC Wimbledon pushed up and on 28 minutes Dean put in a cross that allowed Ross to slide in and score for a 2-0 lead.
Just 1 minute later a shot from the Hook strike force left the Don’s keeper down and injured after saving well. Controversially the referee did not stop play allowing Hook to shoot again. Jake (Axtell) cleared off of the line with the keeper still down and motionless. The referee still allowed play to continue. Hook shot again, this time finding the back of the net. The goal was given and the keeper received treatment for a few minutes before play could resume.
Hook seemed to find another gear and started to attack more frequently but AFC Wimbledon defended well. The Don’s had to raise their game once again creating some great chances in the last five minutes of the half. A shot from Keenan was put out by the Hook defence for a corner, the corner being cleared. Then a great head on from Ross who was denied a shot by a well timed challenge from the Hook number 1. The final chance of the first 40 minutes fell to Danny midway into the Hook half allowing him to sprint in and shoot from the edge of the penalty area to put the score at 3-1.
The rain began to fall again during half time making the pitch slightly muddy and a little slippery but still playable. Hook started the second half the brighter of the two teams forcing a diving save from Jake. But it was the Dons who added to their tally with a stunning shot from Cameron 15 yards out dipping under the crossbar for 4-1.
15 minutes into the second half George looked to get his name on the score sheet with an equally stunning shot but the crossbar denied him. The crossbar assisted Hook again 2 minutes later. A pin point accurate shot from Darryl on the left wing found Dean unmarked with just the keeper to beat. The thundering shot caught the underside of the crossbar and bounced out to be cleared by Hook. The home side’s luck soon ran out though when Danny’s shot was saved only for the rebound to be fired in by Darryl for 5-1.
It was only a minute later that Cameron registered his second goal of the game. Picking up the ball in midfield and finding himself midway into the Hook half with no passing options, he ran for goal beating all including the keeper for a 6-1 lead.
Hook now tightened their defence but the Don’s passing play was still able to create chances, although not as clear cut as before. Danny had a shot that hit the post and another fired high over the bar from 5 yards out. Shots also came from George and Dean that were both saved well by the Hook keeper. Hook created a couple of chances of their own forcing excellent saves from the AFC Wimbledon keeper. Neither team would find the net again and the game came to a close with another impressive win for AFC Wimbledon who remain unbeaten this season.
