AFC Wimbledon Youth 14 Dorking Athletic 0
Surrey County Youth Cup - Third Round - Sunday 27 November 2005
AFC cruised into the last 16 of the Surrey Cup on the back of a 14-goal bonanza against weak opposition in the form of Epsom & Ewell League outfit, Dorking Athletic. A full-strength squad welcomed the return of Matthew Braben from long-term injury, and took to the field with a somewhat unfamilar starting line up. Luke Ewing missed a good chance in the first minute, but the hosts went ahead soon after when Sahil Patel stormed in at the left-hand post to convert a terrific cross from Matthew Braben. AFC stroked the ball around and continued to carve through the Dorking defence at will, but three or four chances went begging. Matthew Braben was at the centre of everything in the midfield, twisting and turning, and picking out players with quick accurate passes or skipping round opponents and laying it off into the path of colleagues. As a result Dorking were under intense pressure, and then eventually conceded two goals in quick succession on 16 minutes. First Luke Ewing atoned for earlier misses with a good finish from inside the area, and then Sam King netted from fully 20 yards with a left-footed shot that flew into the net off the far post. Dorking were just not in the same class, and Matthew Braben and Sam King ran the midfield show virtually unchallenged. Anything that went into the AFC half was quickly swept up by the speed merchants Jack Malin and James Snishko, and then laid off promptly to the AFC full backs or midfielders. On 22 minutes Luke Ewing scored after more good work from Matthew Braben, and then Dorking escaped when James Snishko hit the woodwork, after having his first effort cleared off the line. On the half-hour mark Luke Ewing completed his hat-trick. At half-time it was 6-0 with Scott Fullerton scoring the sixth on 35 minutes with a crisp left-foot shot.
In the second half Sonny Russell, Troy Murray and Timi da Silva were quickly introduced, and within 2 minutes Sonny Russell headed home a right-wing cross. Dorking then managed to survive for another twenty minutes, mainly due to some diabolical finishing, but also due to Dorking getting a lot of bodies behind the ball and their goalkeeping pulling off some great saves, and in particular one from William Taylor. The Dorking woodwork was hit several times during this period. Sonny Russell resumed the goal frenzy when finishing off a lovely passing move on 62 minutes, and three minutes later Timi da Silva waltzed through several defenders before setting up Sonny Russell for his hat-trick. Timi da Silva opened his account on 70 minutes for AFC to reach double figures. The ball rarely entered the AFC last third, although one corner was forced that was cleared comfortably by Charlie Dennis. AFC then changed gear and ran in four goals in the space of five minutes. Timi da Silva headed home the eleventh on 72 minutes, and then Troy Murray finally hit the target to end his frustrating string of near misses. With five minutes left on the clock Timi da Silva chalked up his hat-trick, and William Taylor completed the scoring a minute later by notching his first goal of the season.
A very one-sided cup tie that saw AFC camped in the Dorking half for the bulk of the match. Nick Greaves was never tested because the visitors made zero impact on a very quick and strong AFC defence. Man-of-the-match must go to Matthew Braben for an impressive return in midfield, and also for some very skilful and effective ball control. On that score Dorking were also mesmerised by some very clever and entertaining footwork from William Taylor, Troy Murray and Sonny Russell. Next up in this competition are Colliers Wood United or Sheen Lions, and next Sunday AFC host Hanworth Villa at Deckers in the League Cup Quarter Final.
Reporter's man of the match: Matthew Braben
Team: Nick Greaves; Scott Fullerton, Jack Malin, James Snishko, Charlie Dennis; Matthew O'Brien, Sam King, Matthew Braben, Sahil Patel; Luke Ewing, William Taylor. Sub: Timi da Silva, Troy Murray, Sonny Russell, Tee-Jay Ryan.