Youth update from our Academy Manager
Mark Robinson has warned his Under-18s squad that they are in danger of ruining all their hard work this season.
The Dons youngsters were beaten 3-1 at Northampton Town on Saturday with a late consolation goal from Harlen Basker (pictured) coming too late to save them from defeat.
Wimbledon’s Academy Manager was particularly disappointed by the manner of goals conceded with strikes from David Moyo, Ivan Toney and Kieran Fitzgerald leaving them with a mountain to climb.
in the Football League Youth Alliance South East section.thThere has been mitigating circumstances with the Under-18s having several players involved in county cup action for the first-team lately, but the result meant that Wimbledon slipped down to 12
“We ended up playing on a 3G pitch at Northampton because their normal pitch was waterlogged, but it was the same for both sides,” said Mark Robinson. “We have had a lot of rotation with seven of our boys having been involved in the London Senior Cup three days earlier, but it was a chance for the other lads. If I am honest, they did not take it. We gave them their three goals, which was disappointing because up until a few weeks ago we had the best defensive record in the league. We have leaked a lot of goals lately and you cannot do that even when you dominate games.
“I will be chatting to the boys this week because we have made big strides this season. But they are in danger of not so much throwing the season away, but ending up being in a league position that they should not be. The players have done better and made progress this season overall.”
The Dons youngsters entertain Peterborough United on Saturday with their opponents just one place above them in the table.
Wimbledon Under-18s forward Tom Beere was an unused substitute for the first-team at Accrington Stanley last night and Mark Robinson says that offers an incentive for more of his players to show what they are capable of in the near future.