Under-18s impress to match side managed by Jason Euell
Alan Reeves praised AFC Wimbledon’s performance after a team including 10 players from the Under-18s held Charlton Athletic today.
In a Premier League Cup Under-23 group match played at Merstham, the Dons took on a Charlton side with more experience, Jason Pearce among the first-team squad members included for the Addicks.
However, Wimbledon could have edged it near the end of a 0-0 draw with Jayden Antwi (pictured) almost netting a late winner.
“We started the game with 10 players from the Under-18s and one Under-19 against a Charlton side who had players involved in the first-team squad yesterday,” said Alan. “I only had two training sessions to prepare the boys for the game. We worked hard on set pieces and they took it all on board. They did as well as I could have expected.
“It was a game with not a great deal of clear-cut chances, but we probably had the better of it. The boys put a proper shift in and they had a really good go. It was a good performance and I was really pleased with it.”
The draw denied Charlton a place in the knockout stages of the competition with the side managed by former Dons striker Jason Euell needing a win to progress.
minute as Charlton threatened for the first time. Karlan Ahearne-Grant also missed a one-on-one opportunity for the visitors. thWimbledon goalkeeper Joe Bursik saved Brandon Hanlon’s header in the 15
Though Charlton had opportunities in the first-half, Wimbledon had good chances to win it in the second-half. Reece Williams-Bowers struck just wide from close-range, before Antwi, who has enjoyed a prolific season at Under-18 level, also fired off target from just eight yards out.
AFC Wimbledon: Joe Bursik, Nick Akoto, Seth Owens, Paul Kalambayi, Sean Bird, Antonio Walker (Neset Bellikli), Judah Chapman, Callum Phillip, Nathan Wood (Egli Kaja), Reece Williams-Bowers, Jayden Antwi (Toyosi Olusanya).