Match report
A very young Wimbledon side put in a fantastic team performance to beat their more experienced opponents, the winning goal coming in injury time.
The Dons included eight players aged 17 or under in their squad, while Sutton United included none, and credit must go to Marcus Gayle for believing in these youngsters and their ability to perform. On a superb pitch both teams started positively, with Sutton looking the more threatening in the early stages. Former Wimbledon reserve player Jerson Dos Santos looked dangerous early on, his pace and power keeping the Dons rearguard on their toes.
For Wimbledon, Jordaan Brown and Karl Douglin were combining well down the left, and it was from this combination that the first goal was scored. After a good passing build-up involving Douglin, Danny Penfold and Brown, Douglin collected the ball just outside the area and he unleashed a shot that flew in just inside the near post, leaving the Sutton keeper Paul Smith grasping air. A few minutes later, Sutton levelled when Dos Santos broke through and squared the ball for Stuart Young, whose fine strike beat Jack Turner. After that, despite the eventual five-goal result, chances in the game were few and far between as both sides defended well.
If Sutton were the more authoritative side in the first half, it was Wimbledon who deservedly took the spoils in the second half. The Dons’ passing brand of football gradually began to open gaps in the Sutton rearguard, although United did look dangerous on the break. An injury to Callum Wellburn just after the hour mark saw Charlie Girdler come on and give a fine defensive display.
With just 15 minutes remaining and the game looking like a draw, Gayle made two positive substitutions that were to have decisive results. James Stenning replaced Penfold, and James Cottee took over from Elton Gjoni up front. Stenning made a fine run down the left, skinning the full back and crossing for youth-team forward Cottee to gleefully head past the Sutton keeper for a 2-1 lead and, with five minutes remaining, surely the three points. But with a couple of minutes of the 90 still to play, the Dons conceded the equaliser when a free-kick was only cleared to the edge of the box and the ball was played back into the area for Harry Ottaway to finish well.
Wimbledon’s youngsters picked themselves up to muster a final attack in injury time. Brown burst up the left flank leaving three Sutton players in his wake before finding Stenning, who produced another pinpoint cross for Cottee to grab his second goal with a superb header that found the far corner. A roller-coaster last 10 minutes ended as Sutton kicked off and the referee blew his whistle for full time, leaving the Wimbledon youngsters absolutely delighted. This was an exceptional team performance, considering the changes to the side and the inexperience of the squad.
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