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Saturday 22 August 2009 Suburban League, Premier Division
AFC Wimbledon made it two wins from two at Waterside Drive with another convincing performance. Beaconsfield were fresh from a fine away win in midweek beating Eastleigh, no mean feat as Eastleigh were at the top end of the table last season.
This was another game that was dominated by a young and hungry Dons team, not as fluent as Tuesday as they had to be more patient. Callum Wellburn was moved into centre half to replace the injured Charlie Clark-Gleave whilst James Stenning filled in at left back with first teamer Kennedy Adeji on the left side of midfield.
The Dons started brightly but failed to test the Beaconsfield keeper early on. Jack Stafford sitting at the bottom of the diamond was influential in everything good that Wimbledon produced but too often crosses and shots lacked any real quality. Half chances came and went as Beaconsfield stubbornly refused to be overrun.
At the other end Jack Turner the home custodian was in for a quiet day while the defence again looked very strong with skipper Aaron Snelling producing another very good performance. Ryan Jackson at full back regularly supported the midfield and forwards by getting up the flanks. Karl Douglin was gradually becoming an influence on the game as well although the first half remained goal less.
Wimbledon came out sharper in the second half and again pinned their opponent back into their half. An injury to Elliot Frost meant another re-shuffle as Jordaan Brown went into left back, Stenning into the left side of midfield with Adeji moving to the right side of midfield. Elton Gjoni replaced Matt Harmsworth on 66 minutes.
After 71 minutes the first goal finally came when a Wellburn pass found Adeji, he outpaced the full back before pulling the ball back to Peter Rapson who struck a sweet shot into the bottom corner. Stenning and Adeji began to pull the strings in midfield and caused the Beaconsfield full backs problems with their positive running. Rapson was replaced by Ollie Killick after 75 minutes and two minutes later the game was over when Stenning and Stafford played a short free kick, Stenning stole round the back of the defence before crossing to skipper Snelling who finished with some aplomb with a left foot rocket.
Wimbledon still had time to hit a post when a header by Adeji, who should have scored, was well parried by the keeper.
This was another good, patient team performance, although it lacked the quality of Tuesday night. AFC Wimbledon gradually ground down their opponents and thoroughly deserved the win.
