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A scintillating performance from the holders saw AFC Wimbledon hammer Horsham in the Ryman Youth League Cup last night. The Young Dons were in top form and now go to Hampton & Richmond in the next round after this excellent display.
AFC Wimbledon dominated the game and started very brightly creating three or four chances in the first ten minutes, first Hutchinson had an effort off target before good work by Gambin down the left saw Cottee test the Horsham keeper. Then roles reversed as Cottee crossed for Gambin to fire a shot that the keeper again saved well. On 12 minutes AFC broke the deadlock when Knock played in Hutchinson down the right, his pinpoint cross was superbly headed past the keeper by James Cottee for a 1 – 0 lead. With twenty minutes gone Ethan Pinnock burst down the left and crossed for Cottee who tested the keeper with his effort, the rebound fell to Hutchinson who played in Bearman but his shot was saved on the line. The Young Dons were rampant and another cross this time from Knock saw Pinnock head across goal for Rhys Turner to have his shot again saved on the line. The next goal had to come and after 29 minutes a cross found Jackson whose effort hit the bar rebounding to Cottee who volleyed home his second of the night. With a minute of the half remaining Cottee grabbed his hat trick after more good work from Gambin.
Half Time 3 – 0
Credit to Horsham as they improved in the second half, defending more solidly and also testing Sujit Dadar in the AFC goal with a couple of shots. The first period of the second half was pretty even but Horsham then began to tire after their hard work and AFC started to play some excellent football. James Cottee just back from injury and with a hat trick to his name was replaced by Juevan Spencer after an hour. Halfway through the half the overlapping Jamie Warren neatly beat a couple of defenders before crossing for Joe Jackson to finish from close range. Three minutes later it was all over as Bearman combined with Spencer to put Jackson in on goal, he again finished well. Warren then hit the bar with a cross come shot before Bakhit replaced luke Gambin and Jack Hills replaced Ethan Pinnock. The sixth goal came in the 75th minute when a superb cross field ball from Knock gave Bakhit space down the right, his fine run culminating in a cross that found Hutchinson at the back post, he blasted the ball past the Horsham keeper. With seven minutes remaining the seventh and final goal was scored, a deep Harry Knock corner was headed back across goal for Rhys Turner to grab his fifth goal in eight games this season, not bad for a centre half!
On reflection this was a top performance with some very good football played, the whole team played with great spirit and desire and took the responsibility of getting the ball down and passing.
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