Match report
Memories of Combined Counties League fixtures of yesteryear came flooding back as holders AFC Wimbledon coasted to an easy victory over their plucky, but ultimately ineffectual, lower league opponents.
Guildford United, the home team despite the surroundings, rested ex-Spurs David Howells and had ex-Westfield manager, 50 year old John Cassidy, on the bench, whilst Dave Anderson elected to start youngster Joe Paris in midfield and Simon Sobihy replaced Antony Howard alongside Steve Butler in the centre of defence. Another youngster, Steve Tyson, made his debut appearance as a sub on the first-team team-sheet, although he was not called into action.
AFC Wimbledon started slowly, like a boxer jabbing at his opponent and ensuring he isn't caught by a sucker punch, but slowly started to loosen up. After eight minutes of sparring, Wes Daly went for the kill, floating past a defender before striking the foot of the post from twenty yards. The midfield quartet of Paris, Daly, Plummer and Ursell were all involved in forcing corners over the next ten minutes, before Guildford launched their first real attack of note with a quarter of the game gone, but Dave Sargent was on hand to clear before Andy Little could be threatened. As if stung by the threat the Dons hit back with two chances in as many minutes. Firstly Daly's free-kick from the right touchline was flicked wide off Wayne Finnie's head, then Sargent's deliberate ball from the right-back berth was flicked on by Liam George into the path of Shane Smeltz, who beat his marker to race clear and coolly slide the ball under the advancing John Brawley, resplendent in a spare AFC Wimbledon 'keeper's top, to open the scoring. Guilford's best spell of the night was wasted soon after - Ross Murray was forced to stretch at a defence splitting ball in from deep left and only able to poke the ball high and wide, then Little was forced to save smartly to his left a minute later. Again the Dons hit back almost immediately, George laying off only for Rob Ursell to smack the woodwork this time. Smeltz was bundled over in the box, but the ref was indifferent, then Daly tried his luck from distance again but it hit Sohiby on the way and trickled wide. With the first half drifting to a close the City 'keeper flapped at Dwayne Plummer's cross from the right touchline and Smeltz was twice denied by frantic defenders blocking his path to goal. There was still time for a little bit of Ursell magic, firstly making space for himself to float in a shot that was high and handsome, then tricking his was to the touchline before crossing for George, who's flicked header brought an instinctive save from the Guildford custodian onto the post and wide.
 Starting the second half kicking towards the Tempest End in a slight drizzle, AFC Wimbledon were soon back on the attack and it took only five minutes to make the game safe, Plummer's cross from the right finding Ursell in the box and his first-time lob curled over the 'keeper into the back of the net. Plummer was involved again two minutes later, forcing a free-kick on the edge of the box. Daly's resultant effort clipped of the top of the wall and had the 'keeper scrambling to his far post to pluck the ball out of the air. With the game apparently over bar the shouting, Jon Boswell replaced Steve Butler in defence. Smeltz and Paris both crashed shots wide before Mark King replaced George and Sonny Farr came on for Ursell. It was soon 3-0, Smeltz and Finnie combining to give Finnie the space to drive a cross over from the right touchline and Mark King was on hand at the front post to guide the ball in from six yards for his first senior goal. AFC Wimbledon proceeded to coast for the last twenty minutes, with only King poking wide with five minutes to go worth noting, but as the fourth official held up the board denoting three minutes of additional time the game sprung back into life. Guildford's final change of salvaging something from the game was spurned when Lee O'Donnell latched onto Robbie Murray's cross, but the striker fired over from twelve yards out then, as if to rub salt into the wound, Daly's speculative low drive from the edge of the box was deflected past Brawley for the fourth and final nail in City's coffin.
And so the Dons march on in defence of the Cup, with Ashford Town (Mddx) standing in the way of a second consecutive Surrey Senior Cup Final. |
