AFC Wimbledon Youth 6 Bedfont Eagles 1 (match abandoned after 71 minutes)
West Surrey Youth League Cup - Second Round - Sunday 6 November 2005
AFC Youth went into this League Cup tie with Sam King, Sahil Patel and top scorer Troy Murray all on the injury list. It made little difference because AFC controlled the bulk of the proceedings, and were 6-1 up when the Referee abandoned the match on 71 minutes after the Bedfont management withdrew their players.
AFC Youth opened the scoring within two minutes when Luke Ewing crossed from the byline, and Sonny Russell headed into the net.The hosts should have extended their lead, but Timi da Silva shot narrowly wide from a good position. AFC enjoyed the bulk of the possession, and the back four looked very comfortable soaking up anything that Bedfont could offer. Timi da Silva broke down the right after good work by Scott Fullerton, and then sent a shot whistling past the far post with the keeper beaten. Scott Fullerton was certainly giving Bedfont plenty of problems down the right, but the visitors worked hard and tackled fiercely to restrict the number of scoring opportunities. Bedfont finally penetrated the AFC defence and a strong shot from outside the box brought a brilliant save out of Nick Greaves. Bedfont then forced a few unproductive corners, before AFC resumed the offensive with controlled passing football. Bedfont continued to offer strong resistance, but after a number of unfair challenges the Referee finally cautioned the Bedfont No.5 for persistently infringing the laws of the game. AFC finally increased their advantage two minutes from the interval, when Timi da Silva lashed a stunning 20-yard strike into the corner of the net.
AFC were going down the slope in the second half, and came on even more strongly, sweeping down the field with fluent passing moves. Tee-Jay Ryan and Sonny Russell were strong and influential in the midfield, and Timi da Silva looked very sharp up front. Unfortunately, Timi da Silva was on the receiving end of some ill-timed challenges, as the Bedfont defence struggled to cope with his high-speed footwork. After 55 minutes, however, the pressure finally told when James Snishko headed home a terrific corner from Charlie Dennis. The hosts then went off the boil for a short period, during which Nick Greaves pulled off his second spectacular save, but even he could do nothing about about the freak cross that swerved sharply into the top corner of the net. AFC were clearly creating the best chances, but Bedfont broke dangerously and would have scored again but for Nick Greaves producing a brilliant save to tip a 20-yard piledriver over the bar. On 63 minutes a grounded Timi da Silva somehow managed to elevate himself while retaining possession, before swivelling sharply round a defender to fire home from twelve yards. This signalled the end for Bedfont as AFC became rampant creating a whole host of chances, and one notable one when Timi da Silva headed wide in front of goal when it was easier to score. AFC then struck again on 67 when Sonny Russell headed his second goal of the game, and AFC's fifth. The opposition now appeared to lose all discipline, and they became progressively more physical, and Timi da Silva in particular was subject to a number of flying tackles. The visitors then conceded a penalty which Nick Greaves duly dispatched with some power. On 71 minutes the Bedfont No.5 was sent off after receiving a second yellow, and this was immediately followed by the dismissal of another Bedfont player for offensive, insulting and abusive language towards the Referee. At this juncture the Bedfont Manager and a spectator entered the field of play and decided to withdraw their players, and so the Referee was forced to abandon the game.
Reporter's man of the match: Tee-Jay Ryan
Team: Nick Greaves; Matthew O'Brien, James Snishko, Jack Malin, Charlie Dennis; Scott Fullerton, Sonny Russell, Tee-Jay Ryan, Luke Ewing; Timi da Silva, William Taylor. Sub: Matthew Braben.