AFC Wimbledon 1 Cheam Town 2
Friendly - Wednesday 13 July 2005
This friendly was not a classic, but both defences were in excellent form and so scoring opportunities were always going to be at a premium. The hard surface also contributed to the lack of attacking power, as players struggled to get the ball under control. In the opening minute Troy Murray was put clean through on goal, but was then subsequently taken out by the AFC keeper for what looked like a penalty and a clear-cut case of DOGSO. However, the referee was in a good position and he waved aside the penalty appeals. Cheam looked very sound at the back with Graeme Edwards outstanding and well supported by Matthew O'Brien, Jack Malin and Sahil Patel. The Cheam goal never came under serious threat, although a number of corners were forced, which Tee-Jay Ryan headed away. Likewise the AFC defence matched the Cheam forwards despite some very slick passing moves between the impressive Troy Murray, Sonny Russell and Charlie Dennis. The midfield battle was fierce with both Tee-Jay Ryan and Sonny Russell very prominent for Cheam. Timi da Silva then sent over a dangerous cross which William Taylor headed narrowly wide despite the attention of several larger opponents. Suddenly, as half-time beckoned, the game turned in AFC's favour. James Snishko was sent on for Sahil Patel, and soon after Cheam lost possession when moving up the left flank. The Cheam defence suddenly found themselves outnumbered, and AFC were eventually able to set up a forward, who shot strongly past Nick Greaves from just inside the penalty area.
In the second half, the home side started well and forced several corners, but each time the ball was cleared away. Sahil Patel, who had replaced the injured Nick Greaves in goal, then made a tremendous diving save to keep out a scorching long range shot from the AFC midfielder Jamie Streat. At the other end Timi da Silva went clean through on goal after jInking round a defender, but Robert Marsden made a great save in the AFC goal to deny Cheam. The game was very evenly matched with both defences still playing very well, but it was Cheam who went closest when Timi da Silva had a goalbound shot deflected for a corner after some great footwork in the box by Troy Murray. Timi da Silva then went past two players in a mazy run, but was stopped by a clumsy challenge in the area, that the referee considered illegal. Troy Murray stepped up to calmly slot the penalty home for the equaliser. There then followed a period of AFC pressure, and Sahil Patel had to make another outstanding diving save to deny the hosts. Jack Malin then surged from one half of the field to the other, before laying the ball off to Timi da Silva, who crossed into the box for the ball to be scrambled away to safety. The midfield continued to be hotly contested, and the work rate of Sonny Russell, Charlie Dennis and Tee-Jay Ryan was impressive, and it needed to be to match their quick and skilful opponents. In the last minute Jack Malin went off on another trademark run past several opponents from his own half, and then on arriving at the AFC penalty area, he laid the ball off to Timi da Silva, who won the game by netting with a spectacular cross shot from the byline. Good performances from both teams, and also from the referee, but a draw would probably have been a fair result.
Reporter's man of the match: Troy Murray & Graeme Edwards
Team: Nick Greaves; Matthew O'Brien, Jack Malin, Graeme Edwards, Sahil Patel; Timi da Silva, Sonny Russell, Tee-Jay Ryan, Charlie Dennis; William Taylor, Troy Murray. Sub: J.Snishko