Top scorer believes club is moving forward
Bayo Akinfenwa believes that the emergence of young players at AFC Wimbledon offers encouraging signs for a bright future at the club.
Though “bitterly disappointed” by the manner of dropping two points at Tranmere on Saturday, Bayo highlighted several positives, including the performances of academy graduates Tom Beere, age 20, and 18-year-old Ben Harrison.
Speaking during an interview with Rob Cornell for Dons Player, Bayo said: “The players we had on the bench were so young and Ben Harrison did really well when he came on. He did it earlier in the season and he was terrific for us again in a difficult situation. We have to give Ben a round of applause because he was up against a tough winger (Jennison Myrie-Williams) and he kept him quiet for most of the game.
“Tom Beere did well too and we also had Dan Agyei and Dan Gallagher on the bench. If they keep working hard and stay focused then they can develop further. I think the future is bright for AFC Wimbledon.”
The picture above (taken by Pro Sports Images) shows Bayo causing problems for Tranmere’s defence on Saturday.
goal of the season at Prenton Park, but he admitted that was overshadowed by the manner of Tranmere’s equaliser in the fourth minute of injury-time.thBayo struck his 15
The Dons were also denied what Bayo claimed was a “stonewall penalty” when Ade Azeez was challenged in the area, but Wimbledon’s top scorer says the players have to put such disappointments behind them quickly with a meeting against his old club Northampton coming up on Friday.
of the season,” said Bayo. “That is a good return personally, but I would have taken a 1-0 win and me not scoring. I only realised the night before that we hadn’t won away from home since Boxing Day. We collectively made a big effort to put that right for ourselves and the fans. We were seconds away from doing that and it was bitterly disappointing.th“As a striker it’s nice to score goals and that was my 15
“It felt like two points dropped. We knew their strengths and weaknesses and we had coped with everything they had thrown at us up until then. We just switched off, but you have to give their best player on the day (George Green) credit as kept going and produced a great finish.
“As professionals, we have to keep going now. We have Northampton next and they are in great form, but we are confident at home and have not lost at our place in a while. Then we have Dagenham away so hopefully we can put it right.”
The full interview with Bayo Akinfenwa is on Dons Player, along with over four minutes of match highlights from Saturday and post-match reaction from Neil Cox.