Alan Reeves has called on AFC Wimbledon’s young prospects to stand up and be counted against more experienced players in the Surrey Senior Cup on Tuesday night.
A Dons squad consisting of players from our development set-up and Under-18s will tomorrow come up against an in-form Dorking Wanderers side who are currently third in the Bostik Premier League (the same division as our FA Cup first round opponents Haringey Borough). Dorking’s squad is likely to include plenty of experience on the night with former Dons Luke Moore and Jason Prior among those set to feature.
Our development team’s most recent match ended in a 4-0 win against Southend United with Tyler Burey (pictured) striking one of the goals and he will be in the Wimbledon squad tomorrow. That victory was achieved with several first teamers, but the development squad beat Merstham’s first-team on the same night and drew at AFC Bournemouth earlier this month.
Alan Reeves said: “With quite a strong team out against Southend, we had to arrange another game for the younger lads against Merstham. They acquitted themselves well and they’ve done that more often than not this season. It will be a tough game tomorrow against a Dorking side riding high in their league. They are in the same division as Haringey Borough. It will be difficult too because it’s on a 3G pitch and our players haven’t trained or played on this surface. It is an advantage for Dorking because they play on it every other week. This is a good game for us against a good men’s team, which is different to what we’ve faced most weeks. It will be a tough test for our young lads.
“This is a cup competition that we want to do well in too, that’s why we entered it. Dorking have had a good start to the season, they are third in the league, and once you get that winning mentality you want to keep it going. That won’t be any different against us tomorrow.
“The likes of Paul Kalambayi and Tommy Wood are at an age now when they should be stepping forward. Even with the 19-year-olds, they need to help the 17-year-olds cope against experienced players. They need to stand up and be counted, something they have done so far this season. They will definitely need to do that tomorrow. The Surrey Senior Cup has got better quality teams with better facilities than in the London Cup. We want to do well in the competition.”
The AFC Wimbledon squad for Tuesday night’s game is as follows: Nik Tzanev, Kyron Stabana, Osaze Urhoghide, Reuben Collins, Paul Kalambayi, Finley Mcnab, Bert White, James O’Halloran, Donte Lodge-Francis, Tyler Burey, Jack Rudoni, Ossama Ashley, Kosta Sparta, Kane Crichlow, Tommy Wood.
Dorking Wanderers have announced reduced prices for this match, as follows:
Adults £5
Seniors / Students £3
U18s £1
U8s free.
The match (kick-off 7.45 pm) will take place at Dorking's new Meadowbank Football Ground. The full address for the venue is: Meadowbank Football Ground, Mill Lane, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1DX.