AFC Wimbledon Youth 3 Whyteleafe 0
Surrey County Youth Cup - Second Round - Sunday 30 October 2005
AFC Youth put on another impressive display to earn a third round home tie against Dorking Athletic in the Surrey Youth Cup. A full strength team turned over a good Whyteleafe side after dominating most of the game with controlled, possession football. The opening exchanges saw little of note, and AFC's first serious attack came on 8 minutes when Timi da Silva broke from just inside the Leafe half to test the keeper with a fierce shot. Three minutes later, the Leafe keeper made a brilliant one-handed save to turn Troy Murray's header round the post. The hosts dominated the midfield thanks to Tee-Jay Ryan and Sonny Russell, and as a result the lively Troy Murray and Timi da Silva continued to pressurise the Leafe defence. However, the chances were not taken, or the visiting keeper performed heroics. The visitors threatened from time to time, and would definitely have scored but for Nick Greaves producing a superb point-blank save to deny the dangerous No.12 after he had deceived the AFC centre backs with subtle changes of pace and direction. AFC finally opened their account on 26 minutes when Timi da Silva slotted the ball past the keeper after a long sinuous dribble through the Leafe defence. Two minutes later AFC hit the post, and during the resulting scramble Scott Fullerton drove the ball home. The visitors fought back and it took another impressive save from Nick Greaves to prevent the Leafe No.12 from reducing the deficit. As the half drew to close, AFC attacked frequently with patient passing moves, but determined defending prevented any more goals.
At the start of the second half, more pressure followed from the hosts and they were in total control of the game, passing the ball from man to man, as they swept down the field towards the Leafe goal. Unfortunately the end product was missing, and as it was the useful Leafe No.12 should have scored after 55 minutes when he outpaced the AFC defence, but fired narrowly over the bar when clean through on goal. The signaled a reshuffle in the AFC line-up with Jack Malin detailed to eliminate this particular threat. Thereafter it was all AFC, but the Leafe keeper continued to distinguish himself with excellent saves, including one from Troy Murray after Jack Malin crossed from the right-corner flag at the end of a powerful charge from the half-way line. James Snishko then went on an equally impressive surge down the left flank before delivering a cross that saw Timi da Silva shoot narrowly wide. AFC finally hit the target on 65 minutes when following a good move Luke Ewing unleashed a powerful 20-yard shot that swerved into the top corner of the net. The opposition continued to work hard, closing down the blue shirts, and thereby managing to prevent any further goals from the dominant hosts. Every team member turned in an above average performance, with Nick Greaves awarded man-of-the-match for a commanding display including three great saves. Matthew O'Brien was very impressive at right back, as was Tee-Jay Ryan in the midfield and James Snishko at centre back. Troy Murray and Timi da Silva both had very good games, and proved a real handful for the Leafe defence.
Reporter's man of the match: Nick Greaves
Team: Nick Greaves; Matthew O'Brien, James Snishko, Sam King, Charlie Dennis; William Taylor, Sonny Russell, Tee-Jay Ryan, Luke Ewing; Timi da Silva, Troy Murray. Sub: Sahil Patel, Jack Malin, Scott Fullerton, Matthew Braben.