AFC Wimbledon Youth 5 Hayes 1
West Surrey Premier Elite - Sunday 2 April 2006
AFC went into this important league match without the services of top scorer Timi da Silva (on holiday) and regular defender Sam King (illness), but even so they put in a great performance to run out comfortable winners against a disappointing Hayes side. The playing surface was difficult for good football, and it was exacerbated by several heavy downpours during the game.
Hayes playing down the hill, started very strongly and missed three good scoring opportunities during the openeing ten minutes. In particular a Hayes striker missed badly from ten yards after the home defence was deceived when a harmless-looking through ball suddenly got held up in the mud. AFC slowly adapted to the difficult playing surface, and eventually they gained control of the midfield with Sonny Russell, Luke Ewing and Paul Nicholls combining on numerous occasions to find lone striker Troy Murray. The Hayes defence, however, appeared on good form, and covered and tackled well to prevent any serious incursions. Then, fifteen minutes in, Paul Nicholls left the Hayes full-back for dead and crossed for Sonny Russell to make no mistake with a close-range shot. Paul Nicholls continued to torment the Hayes full-back by dribbling to the by-line, but the final cross was invariably delivered beyond incoming colleagues. AFC were now well into their game, and the visiting defence had several anxious moments as they came under sustained pressure, but the end product was either off target or dealt with by the keeper. In response Hayes mounted several counterattacks, but they all foundered on an outstanding back line. James Snishko made some very impressive interceptions and tackles, and Charlie Dennis dominated the aerial battle on every corner. Several corners were then forced by AFC, but the Hayes defence held firm. As the half came to a close, AFC were in total control, but found themselves with only a one-goal advantage.
After the interval a Hayes striker went through on goal with a well-timed run past an off-balance James Snishko, but he then wasted the opportunity by shooting wide. AFC then applied the pressure, and after 50 minutes Luke Ewing scored with a tremendous 20-yard shot that flew into the top right-hand corner of the net. Soon after Hayes were down to ten men when one of their centre-backs retired with an injury. The visitors broke forward at every opportunity, and a forward was put clear down the left flank, but he was run down rapidly by Jack Malin with an explosive turn of foot. The hosts were now dominating the midfield with Matthew O'Brien and Tee-Jay Ryan winning the ball with some great challenges, and Scott Fullerton and Charlie Dennis overlapping with effect down the flanks. Hayes then went further behind on 55 minutes when Tee-Jay Ryan and Troy Murray combined for Luke Ewing to fire home a superb shot from just inside the area. Not long after the referee called a temporary halt to the proceedings when a monsoon swept across the pitch for five minutes. On resuming the pitch had been reduced to a quagmire, and both teams struggled to play football as the pitch deteriorated further. After an hour's play Hayes reduced the deficit when Charlie Dennis was rounded near the corner flag with some trickery. The resulting cross picked out a Hayes forward at the near post, and the ball was headed firmly into the net. Within two minutes Troy Murray restored AFC's three-goal advantage when twisting and turning through several challenges in the penalty area, before planting the ball past the Hayes keeper. Matthew Braben was introduced soon after, and nearly scored on his long-awaited return from injury, but after being put through on goal, he shot wide of the target. The visitors now seemed to lose all discipline, and began to look very ragged at the back, and were very lucky not to concede another goal during a prolonged period of pressure. In a rare breakway a Hayes forward was tackled superbly by Matthew O'Brien, and Jack Malin quickly put Troy Murray clean away down the left flank. Unfortunately, the referee had to blow the whistle because the Hayes forward had lost the plot, swearing and arguing will all and sundry, and then leaving the field of play without permission. This arrogant and petulant outburst was rewarded leniently with a single yellow card. AFC Youth continued to dominate the play, and on 77 minutes they scored their fifth goal. Charlie Dennis sent over a superb corner, and Luke Ewing claimed his hat-trick by firing home at the far post.
An impressive performance from AFC which both avenges their unlucky 2-1 defeat at Hayes and keeps them in the title hunt. There were excellent individual performances throughout the entire team, but man of the match has to go to Luke Ewing for providing some much-needed clinical finishing in a team that has struggled to score goals all season. Next week the team travel to Hampton & Richmond looking to close the gap on the league leaders AFC Wimbledon to two points.
Reporter's man of the match: Luke Ewing
Team: Nick Greaves; Scott Fullerton, Jack Malin, James Snishko, Charlie Dennis; Tee-Jay Ryan; William Taylor, Sonny Russell, Luke Ewing, Paul Nicholls; Troy Murray. Sub: Matthew O'Brien, Matthew Braben.