Oakley goal is not enough for Wimbledon Under-18s
proving to be the difference between the two sides.Shaquille McDonald failed to lift AFC Wimbledon Under-18s this afternoon with highly-rated Peterborough striker George OakleyA superb equaliser from
youngsters having matched Posh until McDonald repeated his feat of eight days ago at Crawley by scoring all four of his side's goals.Mark Robinson’sThe 4-1 result in Peterborough’s favour was particularly harsh on the hosts with
, watching from the sidelines, McDonald, who signed an extension to his professional contract recently, staked his claim for a first-team chance with a lethal display in front of goal.Barry FryWith Peterborough United’s Director of Football,
to rescue them by clearing off the line when Peterborough threatened.Oluyesi Daley had a goal ruled out for offside and the hosts needed Youssouf BambaThere was little sign of what was to come during a first-half of minimal goalmouth incident. The closest Wimbledon came was when
provided stubborn resistance.Dan Lawler did open up the Peterborough defence with impressive wing play to set-up Bamba, Peterborough defender Charlie FayersWhen
sent Bamba racing clear, but he was ruled offside before his shot was saved. However, Wimbledon fell behind 10 minutes into the second-half when they were caught out through the middle and McDonald helped himself to his first.Sam BaffourWimbledon started the second-half with more purpose and
to switch to a forward role and that sparked an improvement. After Beere came close with a long-range effort, Wimbledon drew level midway through the second-half.Tom Beere. That allowed Matt Cunnington Mark Robinson made a tactical change on the hour when he replaced Bamba with full-back .There was a good response to that setback though from Wimbledon and Fayers came so close to netting the equaliser when he curled just wide from 20 yards
It was a goal well worth waiting for too when Oakley (pictured above) latched onto a through ball from Fayers and produced a superb lob over the Peterborough goalkeeper to make it 1-1. Beere then had an effort saved as Wimbledon threatened to turn the match on its head.
late introduction provided energy and drive to Wimbledon’s midfield, they could do nothing to stop McDonald, who scored twice in the last 10 minutes to earn a 4-1 win that flattered Peterborough on the day.Will Nightingale’sWimbledon fell behind again 20 minutes from time though when they failed to clear their lines from a corner and McDonald swept home his second from close-range. Though
AFC Wimbledon Under-18s: Jack Greenaway, Chris Vlietinck, Owen Roberts, Oluyesi Daley, Sam Baffour, Dan Pearse, Chace Jacquart, Tom Beere, Charlie Fayers (Will Nightingale), Yousouf Bamba (Matt Cunnington), George Oakley.
Dons Player subscribers can watch a full video interview with Academy Manager Mark Robinson about his hopes for the rest of this season and beyond.