Debut goal secures Aldershot draw
AFC Wimbledon Under-18s warmed up for Thursday’s FA Youth Cup tie by earning a creditable point at Aldershot on Saturday.
A debut goal from Yousef Bamba secured a 1-1 draw for the Dons at the EBB Stadium to avoid defeat for Mark Robinson’s men heading into the home tie against Cheltenham Town (7.45 pm at the Cherry Red Records Stadium).
Starting without the influential trio of Tom Beere, Charlie Fayers and Will Nightingale, Wimbledon were forced to defend early on and they fell behind on the half hour. It never got better during the rest of the first-half as the Dons failed to find a cutting edge in attack.
However, the start of the second-half resulted in an improved performance from the visitors with wingers Sam Baffour and Bamba offering threat from both wings. Wimbledon’s new signing, Bamba, then proved too hot to handle for the Aldershot defence when he picked up the ball 10 yards inside the Aldershot half after latching onto a pass from the impressive Dan Pearse (pictured). Bamba then burst past two challenges and finished emphatically to level the score. Bamba came so close to snatching all three points near the end, but the Dons needed their goalkeeper Jack Greenaway to come to their rescue in the latter stages.
Mark Robinson said: “I cannot fault the boys for effort and two defeats in 20 games this season shows how far they have come in a short time. However, they know we need to play better than this and I know they can because I have seen them produce it. There were some good defensive displays out there today though, particularly Owen Roberts and Greg Hayden, and I thought young Dan Pearce was very good again.”
Of course, the Dons can secure a prestigious FA Youth Cup third round tie against Tottenham Hotspur with victory against Cheltenham on Thursday.
The prices for admission to all areas except the Directors' Box are as follows:
£5 for Adults
£2 for Under -16s
. Tickets for the PL for this game are described as 'Standard tickets' on the site. All other tickets can only be bought on the turnstile.FA Youth Cup ticketsThere is an opportunity to buy a President's Lounge ticket with a seat in the Directors' Box. The ticket price of £10 includes tea and coffee before the game and a buffet at half time. Tickets for the PL must be bought in advance, which can be done via the club's online ticket facility by clicking on
The middle bar will open at 6.00 pm and the President's Lounge at 6.30 pm.