AFC Wimbledon Colts 1 AFC Wimbledon Youth 2
Friendly - Thursday 25 August 2005
AFC Youth had enough chances to score at least five goals during the match, but in the end accepted only two. And when the Colts rallied in the second half and pulled a hotly-disputed goal back 5 minutes from time, AFC Youth had to work very hard to secure the victory.
The opening twenty minutes were dominated largely by AFC Youth, but very few chances were created apart from a glaring miss from Timi da Silva after he swept round the back of the Colts' defence. The AFC Youth defence looked very sound with James Snishko and Jack Malin breaking up several attacks well short of the penalty area. The best players on view for AFC Youth were Sonny Russell and Charlie Dennis, and together with Tee-Jay Ryan they dominated the battle for the midfield. A wave of substitutions from both sides then saw Jack Malin go up front with Troy Murray, and new signing Sam King play alongside James Snishko in the centre of the defence. Timi da Silva then lost out in a one-on-one with the Colts keeper, but not long after AFC Youth took the lead when a deep cross into the penalty area saw Jack Malin nod the ball over the advancing keeper. AFC Youth continued to apply the pressure, especially through the lively Troy Murray and the impressive Sonny Russell. However, the Colts centre-back and keeper were playing exceptionally well, and between them they denied many attempts on goals. The Colts pushed forward on many occasions but never really threatened the AFC Youth goal, and they eventually conceded a second goal, when Troy Murray lashed a powerful shot into the net from twenty yards. The remainder of the half passed with much incident.
As the second half unfurled, AFC Youth continued to have the better of the play, but they lacked cohesion going forward and the Colts defended really well. Nevertheless, the Colts were fortunate to escape when William Taylor fired in a shot that beat the keeper, but flashed past the far post. Then the Colts keeper made a terrific save from Luke Ewing to prevent a certain goal. After 60 minutes Tee-Jay Ryan was forced to retire with an injury, and in the re-shuffle Jack Malin dropped back into centre midfield and Matthew Braben was sent up front. The Colts gradually came more into the game, and Nick Greaves had to made an excellent save to deny them a goal. At the other end AFC Youth squandered another chance when Timi da Silva shot high over the bar from point-blank range. The last ten minutes was dominated largely by the Colts, and it needed a very brave save from Sahil Patel, and then a spectacular goal-line clearance from James Snishko to keep the ball out of the net. The Colts eventually scored when the ball ran free after a corner, and a cross was diverted into the net by a Colts forward with the entire AFC Youth defence appealing unsuccessfully for handball. Soon after, Jack Malin, now playing at right back, took a quick, long-range free-kick that Sonny Russell headed straight into the path of William Taylor, but the striker shot narrowly past the far post.
A reasonable, but rusty performance from AFC Youth, and the lack of match fitness showed throughout the team. Good performances from several players, and especially from Sonny Russell, Charlie Dennis, James Snishko and new signing Sam King. The unfit Jack Malin showed his versatility by switching between four different positions during the match.
Reporter's man of the match: Sonny Russell
Team: Nick Greaves; Matthew O'Brien, Jack Malin, James Snisko, Sahil Patel; Timi da Silva, Sonny Russell, Tee-Jay Ryan, Charlie Dennis; William Taylor, Troy Murray. Sub: Sam King, Matthew Braben, Luke Ewing.