Antwi leads the charge against Matlock
AFC Wimbledon Under-18s warmed up for Saturday’s first competitive match of the season with an impressive victory against Matlock Town Under-19s.
The young Dons rounded off pre-season with a 6-0 win, ahead of their opening Football League Youth Alliance match at Southend United.
The visitors proved to be a tough nut to crack in the first-half as Wimbledon only had a Jayden Antwi strike to show for their efforts before the interval, Reece Williams-Bowers with the assist.
However, Wimbledon really clicked into gear after the break and it was 2-0 just two minutes in when Great Nii Okai Evans met a cross from Nick Akotu with a terrific header. Evans turned provider five minutes later when he put a clever pass through for Sean Bird, who scored with a tremendous volley.
minute with a 20-yard strike, before Callum Phillips added another with a smart finish after good work by Tino Carpene. There was still time for Evans to round off the scoring after more good work from Phillips.thAkotu made it four in the 70
Manager Mark Robinson was pleased with the overall display ahead of Saturday’s opener against Southend.
“It was a very tight game in the first 25 minutes and Matlock had the better chances, despite us having more of the ball,” said Mark. “We then started to get our pressing right and we moved the ball quicker to good effect. We went onto constantly create chances and scored goals of good quality.
“It’s always great to win football matches, but just as importantly you want to see that the lads are implementing in matches what we are coaching into them in training. I saw quite a lot of that tactically and technically. It’s been a positive week, particularly with the lads seeing their team-mate Toby Sibbick play 90 minutes for the first-team at Woking. With Southend away next, the lads need to keep knuckling down to be as prepared as possible for anything that comes our way.”