Callum's goal sparks improvement for Under-18s
’s stunning strike providing the highlight.Callum OvertonAFC Wimbledon Under-18s produced a much-improved display in a friendly defeat against Charlton Athletic today with
was very pleased with his side’s overall performance against quality opposition.Mark RobinsonThough Wimbledon were beaten 3-1 by the Addicks, Academy Manager
, who was excellent throughout, and cut inside before unleashing a powerful shot into the bottom corner from 22 yards.Callum WilsonThe Dons battled back well after falling behind midway through the first-half and they got an equaliser they deserved after 32 minutes. It was a great goal too as Overton (pictured above) latched onto a throw-in from
giving the visitors a half-time lead. However, Charlton broke quickly just before the break and earned a 2-1 lead to take into the interval.Daniel Agyei all impressed to drive Wimbledon forward and the pressure almost resulted in Danny Gallagher and Billy Frost, Oliver Haines. Egli KajaWith Wimbledon growing in confidence, they took the game to Charlton and Overton almost bagged a second after brilliant work by
both firing just off target after great moves, before Kaja came tantalisingly close to an equaliser.Overton and AgyeiWimbledon’s best spell of the match followed just after half-time with
entering the fray.Ryan Ramsay and Alfie EganMark Robinson decided to give vital experience to two promising 15-year-olds in the second-half with
, who had been previously untested.Jordan KnightThe Dons were dealt a cruel blow after all that pressure when Charlton scored with virtually their first attempt of the second-half past second-half goalkeeper
Mark Robinson said: “This was a great friendly to have for the boys against quality opposition. We had a very useful meeting with the players yesterday when I set the boys mental challenges and that clearly worked. We were much better organised and though the first-half was evenly matched, for 25 minutes in the second-half we were clearly the better side. With every player on the pitch only 15 or 16 years of age, this was a very positive step forward. The boys hate losing games, but I could see in their faces that they know we are on the way back.”
Callum Overton earned Wimbledon’s man of the match award.