AFC Wimbledon Under-18s just came up short in pursuit of a second successive victory on Saturday with Peterborough coming from behind to secure a share of the spoils.
Visitors Peterborough struck a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at our training ground on Saturday and our Under-18s will be aiming to make progress in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup on Tuesday versus Portsmouth (1 pm kick-off at the training ground).
Aiming to build on the momentum of a 6-0 midweek win against Stevenage, Wimbledon started brightly on Saturday and the breakthrough came in the 17th minute. A fine team move ended with Luke Jenkins releasing KJ Osu, who showed great composure to round the keeper, before sliding the ball home. The Dons continued to push for a second with David Fisher and Dylan Adeji-Hersey having shots blocked off the line, before Fisher’s header was well saved by the Peterborough keeper after a fine cross from Huseyin Biler. The advantage was doubled from the subsequent corner through Jenkins, who slotted home from close-range at the second attempt after getting on the end of Adjei-Hersey’s fine delivery.
There was still time in the first-half though for Peterborough to half the deficit. Flynn Clarke struck a superb free-kick that left Dons keeper Albert White with no chance. In the second-half Peterborough poured forward in search of an equaliser, but Zach Robinson and Ayoub Assal both came close to extending the advantage. However, Peterborough levelled the score through Clarke, who finished clinically after a good move from the visitors down the right. Both teams searched for the winner and Wimbledon almost earned it when Troy Chaibi crossed for Adjei-Hersey, but his volley struck a post.
Under-18s manager Rob Tuvey said: “This match showed how good and exciting this group of players can be, but we are disappointed to give away a two-goal lead. These players are learning how to win football matches and are still in the development stage, learning about the fine details required to win games of football.
“The goals we conceded came at times in the game when we were on top and we must keep our concentration for 90 minutes. Peterborough are a very good side and our young players have shown that they are setting high standards. Now we must continue to raise the bar on their expectations of each other, both on and off the pitch.”