Winger downs Pompey with superb treble
David Fitzpatrick fired a superb hat-trick to down Pompey on a hugely encouraging night for AFC Wimbledon’s development set-up.
Coach Alan Reeves saluted a “great hat-trick” from the 20-year-old winger (pictured) and Tom Beere also scored an excellent individual goal to earn a 4-1 win for the Dons.
The young Dons provided a treat for those fans watching at Merstham FC as they proved too hot to handle for a Portsmouth squad containing several first teamers.
Beere was the instigator of the first goal as he beat two men before setting up a shooting chance for Fitzpatrick, who finished clinically from 18 yards. Beere then got in on the act himself with an excellent solo goal, finishing off well after a lovely run, and the Dons were flying at 2-0 up inside half an hour.
Though they took their foot off the pedal before half-time, Wimbledon picked it up again in the second half. Fitzpatrick won possession on the flank and delivered the third goal with a fine angled drive. He claimed his hat-trick with another fine finish and a late Pompey goal from Calvin Davies mattered little in the final reckoning.
Jack Smith enhanced his first-team claims by coming through 90 minutes for the first time since suffering a thigh injury in November.
The only downside on the night was that young striker George Oakley was stretchered off with a hamstring injury 10 minutes into the second-half.
Alan Reeves said he hopes the injury is not too serious and all at AFC Wimbledon wish George a speedy recovery.
AFC Wimbledon: Ross Worner, Jack Smith, George Pilbeam, Ryan Sweeney, Ben Harrison, Chace Jacquart, Tom Beere, Dan Gallagher, David Fitzpatrick, Dan Agyei, George Oakley (Egli Kaja).