Rising talents make debuts in loss for Under-18s
AFC Wimbledon Under-18s paid the price for missed opportunities on Saturday in a defeat that at least offered promising signs for the future.
both making substitute appearances.Dan Ano and Alfie EganA 2-0 home loss to Southend United only told half the story and two more Under-16s stepped up to play Football League Youth Alliance football for the first time with
all came close before the interval.Dan Agyei (pictured) and Harlan Basker, Ollie Haines was just off target with a header and Ryan Sweeney minute when Macauley Keating finished off well for Southend United. It could have been so different for Wimbledon as thWimbledon controlled possession for long spells before the break, but they fell behind against the run of play in the 12
It was 2-0 before the break though when Brandon Scott added a second for Southend and that gave Wimbledon a mountain to climb in the second-half. The hosts did have their chances to get back into it, but Basker twice missed opportunities and Wimbledon also rattled the crossbar in the second-half.
Though it was not to be for Wimbledon in the end, Egan and Ano, both gained vital experience in the second-half after signing pre-scholarship agreements with the Dons earlier this year.
said: “We started the game with nine players who did not play at this standard of football last season and we had two Under-16s making the step-up. We have a lot of injuries at the moment and we therefore had a very young squad on Saturday. Overall, we played very good football and moved the ball around well, but we did not finish our chances off. We are making errors that are getting punished. The result was disappointing, but I think we deserved better on the balance of play.”David WalshUnder-18s assistant manager
earned the man of the match award for an all-action midfield display.Dan Gallagher
AFC Wimbledon Under-18s: Jordan Knight, Callum Wilson, Taylor Roles, Ryan Sweeney, Ben Harrison, Dan Gallagher, Rob Switon (Alfie Egan), Ollie Haines, Billy Frost, Dan Agyei, Harlan Basker (Dan Ano).