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Tuesday 18 August 2009 Suburban League, Premier Division
Without a game on the opening Saturday, Wimbledon had to wait until Tuesday to start their Surburban League campaign, but the wait was worth it as they destroyed a tough talking Whyteleafe side who already had three points to their name.
The Walton pitch was in superb condition for this game and Wimbledon produced a passing masterclass in the first half. The Dons dominated the first period creating many chances. The first fell to Peter Rapson who was fed in by Elliott Frost before firing straight at the keeper.
The movement and interplay from strikers Rapson and Matt Harmsworth was a joy to watch with Frost in the hole causing all sorts of problems for the Leafe back four. A set play corner saw the next chance as Karl Douglin crossed for Harmsworth to head wide when in a good position. A goal had to come and it was well worth the wait as in the 15th minute Ryan Jackson was found on the overlap from a Douglin pass. Jackson’s cross was superbly met by Rapson who volleyed past the keeper.
Wimbledon continued to dictate the play creating chances regularly. Whyteleafe relied on counter attacking and nearly equalized when a cross shot hit the post, although Jack Turner in goal had it covered. The young Dons increased the lead in the 40th minute, Jackson and Douglin again involved as Jackson’s throw was collected by Douglin and he ghosted past the full back before crossing for Harmsworth to open his season’s account with a well taken finish. Two became three when four minutes later another set play throw from Callum Wellburn found the impressive Frost who slipped in Rapson for his second of the night and go into half time 3 – 0 up.
The second half was again dominated in the main by the Dons although it was Whyteleafe who scored the next goal after 58 minutes when Jack Stafford was adjudged to have fouled in the area. Jayden Gibbs gave Turner no chance with the resultant penalty. This seemed to spur the young Dons on again as they picked up their game.
The hardworking front two of Rapson and Harmsworth were replaced after 62 minutes by Ollie Killick and James Hennessy. Three minutes later Hennessy made his mark as he fed in Frost who teed up Douglin to fire in a shot the keeper failed to hold, Douglin followed up his own shot and fired home the rebound. The Dons defence was well marshalled by Aaron Snelling and Charlie Clark-Gleave who both had very solid games. Both full backs Jackson and Wellburn were constantly getting forward well and combining with the midfield, whilst Stafford was pulling the strings in midfield. On 70 minutes Josh Orlando replaced Douglin.
The Dons got the fifth and final goal when two substitutes combined well with Hennessy breaking down the left before crossing the ball to the back post for Orlando to score.
This was a superb all round team performance and a great start to the season.
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