Striker notches a classy treble at Barking
Charlie Sheringham staked his claim for a first-team recall with a superb hat-trick at Barking tonight.
Following a testing start to this London Senior Cup tie, the Dons eventually showed their superiority with Sheringham (pictured) showing his class in a 3-2 win.
Sheringham, who recently returned to first-team action as a late substitute at Rochdale after being out through injury since August, demonstrated his form and fitness with an impressive performance.
A bright start from the Dons suggested that they may not need penalties on this occasion to edge out Barking after last season’s shoot-out drama at Mayesbrook Park in the same competition.
With first-teamers Seb Brown, Jim Fenlon, Rhys Weston, Kevin Sainte-Luce, Charlie Sheringham and Charlie Strutton all providing League 2 experience on the night, it was a strong Dons side that started this match.
But it was Tom Beere who came closest early on when he fired a powerful drive at goal that Barking goalkeeper Damus Horvath did well to palm away from danger.
The Essex Senior League hosts were far from overawed in the opening exchanges though and Dumebi GB Dumaka, who scored in Wimbledon’s last visit to Barking, fired over a cross that Seb Brown had to watch closely over the bar.
And Barking earned a shock lead on the half hour when Luke Foster sent over a superb free-kick from the right that eluded everyone in the box and found the bottom corner.
Wimbledon were struggling to get their passing game going on a difficult surface during the first-half, but the visitors struck an equaliser that was certainly worthy of a bigger stage. Sheringham controlled a Charlie Fayers cross with his first touch, before turning smartly and unleashing a powerful drive that left Horvarth with no chance.
The Dons could have been in front by half-time when Sainte-Luce produced a superb individual run that took him through on goal, but he dragged his shot just wide of the target.
Wimbledon started the second-half with a determination to show their class and Sainte-Luce provided the spark to finally put the Dons in front. The talented winger produced another trademark run, but he was sent sprawling in the box by Luke McLeavy. Sheringham stepped up confidently and there was no repeat of his miss from 12 yards against Scunthorpe earlier this season when he smashed the ball into the top corner.
There was better to come from Wimbledon when they struck a third in great style with that man Sheringham claiming his hat-trick. Sainte-Luce was again the instigator with a fine run and pass that put Sheringham clean through and he produced a clinical low finish that left Horvarth with no chance.
GB Dumaka found space in the area, but his back heel was just wide of the target and it needed Seb Brown to make a late save to deny Lamar Reynolds at the death.A spirited Barking side refused to accept defeat though and their captain Ben O’Brien narrowed the deficit with a fine header from a corner. Barking threatened an equaliser when
AFC Wimbledon: Seb Brown, Kieron Tarbie, Jim Fenlon, Chace Jacquart, Oluseyi Daley, Rhys Weston, Kevin Sainte-Luce (Harry Cooksley), Tom Beere, Charlie Strutton, Charlie Sheringham, Charlie Fayers (Daniel Pearse).