AFC Wimbledon Youth 0 AFC Wimbledon Colts 2
Friendly - Tuesday 11 April 2006
At a rain-swept Deckers, AFC Youth fielding three trialists went down 2-0 to Premier North Champions AFC Colts. Timi da Silva, Scott Fullerton, Jack Malin and Paul Nicholls were all absent, but in wretched conditions the Colts fully-deserved their victory by playing good football and competing well all over the park. AFC Youth also played some attractive passing football and certainly created plenty of scoring opportunities, but once again they did not take their chances, and moreover, the defence looked uncomfortable and disorganised in the face of some quick forwards. In fact, more goals might have been conceded, but for the swift and sudden spurts of an over-worked James Snishko breaking up many attacks. A converted penalty saw the first half close in favour of the visitors, and William Taylor could take no further part due to injury. Playing down the hill, the hosts created many chances in the second half, but none were taken, shots whizzing past the woodwork or flying straight into the hands of the keeper, headers well off target, and in the dying seconds, a frenzied melee in the Colts goalmouth saw their goal protected as if by some invisible force field. AFC Youth did not have it all their own way because there were several chances for the Colts as well, including a glaring miss from well inside the box, and of course a second goal was scored. This came when James Snishko got outnumbered at the back, and a forward was put clean through for a cool finish. Sonny Russell had a very good game in midfield, and looked the best player on the pitch. Troy Murray and Luke Ewing were also prominent in creating space with clever footwork, and stroking the ball around the midfield as AFC Youth swept down the field, but there was no pace up front and the end product was missing. Next Tuesday evening, the league campaign continues with a 6pm kick off against Barnes Eagles at Deckers, hopefully with a full-strength team.
Reporter's man of the match: Sonny Russell
Team: Nick Greaves; Trialist 1, Trialist 2, James Snishko, Charlie Dennis; Sam King, Sonny Russell, Trialist 3, Matthew Braben; Luke Ewing, Troy Murray. Sub: William Taylor, Matthew O'Brien, Tee-Jay Ryan.