This is an archive website preserved by the Dons Trust. It has been wrapped for modern browsers and is free of trackers and legacy scripts. The original content is unchanged as much as possible. Some links and features may no longer work.
Monday 20 April 2009 Ryman Youth League, North East Division
On a night which was a great advert for Ryman Youth football, AFC claimed victory over Staines Town to close the gap at the top of the table.
With an excellent pitch and two very good sides this game lived up to the expectations by producing attractive attacking football.
AFC Wimbledon were without regulars Callum Wellburn (injured), Billy Manning (suspended) and with Ollie Killick on the bench resting.
The first 15 minutes were hectic as both sides had very good chances to take the lead. Staines broke through on the left hand side early on but failed to test Jack Turner in the AFC goal whilst at the other end Pete Rapson latched onto a long ball beating the keeper with a header that was cleared off the line. Staines looked a threat going forward and posed problems in the first half with their pace, but credit to Wimbledon's back four for their resolute defending in which Charlie Clark-Gleave was outstanding.
AFC were also a threat going forward with Timi Borges-Da-Silva a thorn in the home defence throughout this game. A goal had to come and did for AFC on 18 minutes as a pacy run from the dangerous Borges-Da-Silva saw him brought down in the box, Jake Hill stepped up to fire the resultant penalty into the bottom corner. Just before the half hour mark AFC went two up when a fine flowing move down the left involving Coveley and Borges-Da-Silva saw James Stenning fire over a wicked cross that Jordan Hutchinson forced into the net. Staines were wounded but bounced back with a period of domination, testing the AFC rearguard with some fine crosses and shots. Staines were thrown a lifeline as poor marking at a throw led to a cross that was latched onto by the staines forward who was fouled in the penalty area. The spot kick was again duly dispatched to leave the half time score 2 - 1 to the visitors.
Half Time 1 - 2
An injury to Daniel Coveley at left back saw Jamie Evans come on in his place. The second half was again entertaining, Staines knowing a win would secure the championship kept up their pressure early on in the second half. The next goal was always going to be the important one and with 7 minutes of the second half gone AFC got it as good play down the left involving Jamie Evans saw James Stenning fire a superb cross shot into the top corner giving AFC the all important two goal advantage. This seemed to take the wind out of Staines and AFC dominated for long periods. Borges-Da Silva and Tyson both had half chances to secure the game but the Staines keeper kept both out. Tyson had replaced Tollady who had an injury to his hip, with Rapson dropping into midfield and Tyson going up top. The AFC defence was and keeper were superb in the second half as they constantly snuffed out any danger from the Staines forwards. AFC saw out the remainder of the game and now know the next game versus Staines could be the decider if we beat Godalming and Hampton next week. Credit should be given to the whole squad involved in tonights game, the spirit was superb but the team know their is still much hard work to be done.
