Young Dons at Imber Court tomorrow night
AFC Wimbledon Under-21s will be strengthened for tomorrow night’s match at Metropolitan Police by the availability of Ben Harrison and George Pilbeam.
Harrison (pictured) and Pilbeam featured for the first-team against Millwall on Saturday so they missed the 1-0 defeat at Tonbridge Angels. However, both will add relative experience to Alan Reeves’ young group at Imber Court with the first-team having travelled to La Manga for a training camp today.
The match (7.45 pm kick-off) at Metropolitan Police offers Wimbledon supporters a chance to watch the club’s rising talents in action with entry prices at just £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Alan Reeves said: “I have got Ben and George for tomorrow night, which will strengthen us up at the back and hopefully their leadership skills will shine through. They were both involved in the first team on Saturday, but the only reason they have not gone to La Manga is because they need minutes. We have got two games this week and they both need to play 90 minutes.
“Before the game on Saturday I thought that Tonbridge would be bigger and stronger, but I wanted us to be more energetic and technically better. Some of the lads found it a daunting experience and it was difficult for them.
“I did not rant and rave after the match because they had worked their socks off. But they had to work so hard because they gave the ball away too much. I will be stressing to them tomorrow night that they need to relax and there is no pressure. I don’t mind if they make mistakes and I just want them to go out, play in the right way and enjoy it.”
Striker George Oakley is likely to be involved at a venue where he scored for the Dons when AFC Wimbledon won the London Senior Cup last May against Metropolitan Police. Alan said he will field two trialists tomorrow night with several Under-18s also handed chances to impress.
Met Police enjoyed a fine season in 2014/15 as they finished fifth in the Ryman Premier and manager Jim Cooper is aiming to maintain the momentum this time around.
The full update from Alan Reeves is now on Dons Player, along with interviews with Neset Bellikli and Alfie Egan. Midfielders Neset and Alfie will both start tomorrow night after stepping up from the Under-18s.