Match report
AFC Wimbledon lost this Suburban Champions Cup semi-final after conceding two controversial penalties in extra time. In a very eventful match it was Basingstoke who went through to the final after both teams had a player sent off in extra time.
In the first half both teams had some decent chances. Basingstoke looked to get the ball forward early, and while the Dons were trying to get the ball down and play it, their chances to show their quality were limited by the work rate of the Basingstoke side. However, from a Jack Stafford free-kick Callum Wellburn had a header well saved, and Matt Harmsworth hit a 20-yard effort that Josh Peckham in the Basingstoke goal did well to keep out.
At the other end, Jack Turner made a couple of good saves before Basingstoke were awarded a dubious penalty for handball in the area after 28 minutes, and the resultant spot-kick was dispatched well.
Wimbledon started the second half much better, with their passing now more consistent, and looked the more likely to score. The equaliser came on 57 minutes when a Karl Douglin corner was cleared to Ryan Jackson, who crossed back in for Wellburn to head past the keeper. Five minutes later it was 2-1 when a Douglin cross found Charlie Clark-Gleave, who finished well from close range.
Danny Penfold replaced Stafford in the midfield to add some fresh legs. Basingstoke came back at the Dons, and with five minutes remaining they got their reward when Aaron Snelling misjudged a long ball and fouled a Basingstoke forward. From the free-kick the ball was deflected by the Dons wall, sending Turner the wrong way and the game into extra time.
The first half of extra time was dominated by Wimbledon. A good run by Douglin found Harmsworth 15 yards out, but his poor effort went past the post when he should have hit the target. A few minutes later Harmsworth had another chance when he was played through, but his attempted lob was saved by Peckham and Elton Gjoni missed the follow-up.
Jordaan Brown and Callum Dunne made way for James Stenning and Harry Knock as the Dons looked for a way through, but it was Basingstoke who took the lead. A melee in the box saw Turner make a brave save, but he was adjudged to have fouled a Basingstoke player in the process, and a penalty was awarded, even though no action was taken against him. After Turner was booked for a comment to the referee, the penalty was calmly put away.
Basingstoke wrapped up the game in the second period as Wimbledon pushed for an equaliser. A through-ball found a Basingstoke forward in space and one on one against the Dons keeper. Turner did well to delay him and made a last-ditch attempt to win the ball, the forward squirming his shot wide of the target. The referee indicated a goal kick but suddenly changed his mind and awarded a penalty, and then booked Turner for the tackle – his second yellow card. Clark-Gleave took over the keeping duties, but was comfortably beaten from the spot kick.
There was late drama as Gjoni reduced the arrears late on with a header, but it was not enough and Basingstoke went through.
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