Development squad extend winning run
Alan Reeves praised AFC Wimbledon’s youngsters for coming through a tough test after an improved second-half display secured victory against Swindon tonight.
Wimbledon’s development squad maintained their winning form in the Central League with a 3-1 win, thanks to goals from Neset Bellikli, Egli Kaja (pictured) and David Fitzpatrick, in a match played at Merstham FC.
Bellikli fired home superbly from outside the box to open the scoring in the first minute, but the young Dons had to work hard to gain superiority.
“Swindon popped it around well in the first-half, a bit like in the first-team game a few weeks ago,” said Alan. “We did not get our pressing right and we could have made life much easier for ourselves with our starting positions. We were pressing, but not doing it in the right way. We were not on the same page in terms of communicating with each other and they were able to switch play with their passing style.
“It was a different kind of test. Last week we played against an experienced side and we knew what to expect against Peterborough, but tonight we were playing against an energetic team who spread the ball around well.
“In the second-half we were much more effective. It became quite an open game and we had the better chances. It was another good performance and the lads worked their socks off to do much better after half-time.”
Kaja made it 2-0 to the Dons early in the second-half after being fouled in the area himself and though Swindon halved the deficit, Fitzpatrick sealed victory with a great strike. Toyosi Olusanya struck the woodwork after a fine run, but three was enough to continue an impressive start to the season for AFC Wimbledon’s development squad.
AFC Wimbledon: Joe McDonnell, Dan Gallagher, Ethan Nelson-Roberts (Callum Phillip), David Fitzpatrick, Seth Owens, Sean Bird, Egli Kaja, Alfie Egan, George Oakley (Great Nii Okai Evans), Toyosi Olusanya (Tino Carpene), Neset Bellikli (Osaze Urhoghide).