Kaja leads the way for development side
Sixteen-year-old Egli Kaja showed his promise by firing an impressive double for AFC Wimbledon Under-21s against the Elite Academy this afternoon.
Kaja (pictured above receiving congratulations from George Oakley) scored the goal of the day in a resounding 6-0 win when he met a Harry Cooksley cross with a superb half volley.
match this season.thHaving been edged out 2-1 by Gillingham last week, this was a confidence-boosting win for Shaun North’s side in their 19
Wimbledon had already stormed into a 2-0 lead before Kaja’s contribution as their opponents struggled to cope with the attacking talents of Chace Jacquart, Cooksley and Oakley. Jacquart, playing off lone frontman Oakley, opened the scoring with a clinical finish from just inside the area after being set-up by Dan Pearse. Then Cooksley picked himself up off the floor to strike home from 12 yards after winning a penalty.
Though Elite Academy offered stubborn resistance in the first quarter of the match, Wimbledon’s attacking talent started to find space and it was no surprise when Kaja made it three after he had gone close on three previous occasions.
A key feature of the match was Jacquart’s ability to provide a link between midfield and attack, most notably when he showed excellent skill to put Oakley through, but the striker struck against the crossbar after rounding the goalkeeper. However, it was not long before Oakley got off the mark in style when he turned smartly and fired home to make it 4-0. There was better to come when a fine move involving Cooksley and Oakley ended with Kaja notching his second.
Oakley, a young striker with plenty of presence and a keen eye for goal, then so nearly scored an absolute cracker when he rose superbly to meet a Ben Harrison cross, but his header thudded off the crossbar. Substitute Harlen Basker put the icing on the cake with a sixth goal near the end.
Though Wimbledon had faced far more difficult opponents in recent weeks, this tested their ability to be ruthless in front of goal and they certainly passed with flying colours. Wimbledon’s squad included eight Under-18s on the day and the introduction of Under-21s football this season has certainly provided good experience for these youngsters with 10 more games to come during the rest of 2013/14.