AFC Wimbledon U-18s edged out by Swindon
A second cup win in five days proved just beyond AFC Wimbledon Under-18s as they were knocked out in the last minute by Swindon.
Following the FA Youth Cup win against Woking, manager Mark Robinson made eight changes for the Football League Youth Alliance Cup tie versus Swindon, but his young side suffered a last-gasp 2-1 defeat.
Swindon dominated the first-half on Saturday and only goalkeeping heroics from Jack Wingate (pictured) kept the score level at half-time.
Mark Robinson decided that a change of shape was required for the second-half and Wimbledon were much better as a result. The opening goal arrived in superb style on the hour when Toyosi Olusanya, who was so impressive in the FA Youth Cup, burst down the flank with a trademark run and then finished well from an acute angle.
Though Swindon still enjoyed an equal share of possession, the Dons seemed comfortable at this stage and even likely to increase their advantage. However, that all changed 20 minutes from time when Swindon scored from a free-kick, Wingate left with no chance in the Wimbledon goal.
In response, Seanan McKillop struck the crossbar and 15-year-old Tino Carperne was denied twice by the Swindon goalkeeper. There was a sting in the tail for Wimbledon though when the visitors clinched victory in injury-time.
Mark Robinson said: “In the first-half we never got close to them. They played some great football, but by the same token we did not help ourselves as we were far too negative with our shape. We changed things for the second-half and we were better, but nowhere near our best in terms of detail and decision-making.
“Once we went 1-0 up, I thought we looked fairly comfortable and more likely to score again, but credit to Swindon. If we put in the performance that they did and came away as losers I would feel very unfortunate.
“I made eight changes from the side that started in the FA Youth Cup and included three Under-16s, who all played second-half. I look at that as a positive as I have confidence in all of the boys. They just need to have more belief that they can step-up to the mark. The boys also need to ensure that they are taking on board information every day at training so that they are fully prepared when their chances come along.”
Man of the match for Wimbledon was Toby Sibbick.