Dan Gallagher impresses for Under-18s
AFC Wimbledon Under-18s maintained their recent improvement with an emphatic friendly victory on Saturday.
strike.Harlan Basker and a Egli KajaTaking on Beckenham-based Unique Academy, run by Jamie Waller, former Head of Technical Development at the Crystal Palace Academy, Wimbledon marched to a 3-0 win with a double from
(pictured) received the joint man of the match award for their contributions to a third successive win for the Under-18s.Dan GallagherIn-form Kaja and
providing a good platform for the Dons in midfield. The pair imposed themselves well and consistently dictated matters in the centre of the park by switching play at every opportunity.Ollie HainesWimbledon passed and retained the ball very well in the first-half with Gallagher and
offering good support, Wimbledon were full value for their first-half lead against their spirited opponents. Nesit Belikli and Callum Wilson, Billy FrostBasker earned reward for his lively display up front by opening the scoring when he produced a clinical finish after getting on the end of a free-kick. With Kaja’s movement causing constant problems and
also staying alert to through balls, Unique struggled to create anything meaningful.Billy Bishop responded well, and with goalkeeper Ben Harrison and Taylor Roles, Chris VlietinckThe second half began with Unique Academy having much more of the ball and Wimbledon having to defend their lead. However, Wimbledon’s back- line of
Midway through the second-half, it was 2-0 when Basker turned provider with a fine through pass that Kaja finished off well. It was effectively all over 10 minutes later when Frost produced an exquisite pass over the top for Kaja and he finished superbly.
now prompting from midfield, Wimbledon perhaps should have scored more, but it was a more than satisfactory performance from the Dons.Renato MoraisWith substitute
both acquitting themselves well.”Louie Fox “I was very pleased that the team played well in a friendly game because it would have been easy to take the opposition lightly. Throughout the match, our tempo was vibrant and had high-energy. Defensively, we pressed very well and we moved the ball around quickly to good effect. It was also pleasing that we were once again able to play two Under- 16 players with Nesit Belikli and said:David WalshAssistant U18s Manager