AFC Wimbledon Under-18s marched to an emphatic victory on Tuesday with Zach Robinson’s double leading the way.
The young Dons triumphed 6-0 against Stevenage to earn a first win of the season in style at our training ground (Zack Robinson is pictured above right with Reuben Collins).
It didn’t take long for Wimbledon to make the breakthrough, the opener coming in just the ninth minute. KJ Osu made a fantastic over-lapping run, before sliding a ball inside for Robinson, who worked a yard of space, before smashing past the keeper at his near post. At the other end, keeper Matthew Cox and defender Luke Jenkins stayed alert at the back to deny Stevenage a way back into the game.
After denying an attempted fightback from Stevenage, Wimbledon doubled the advantage when the impressive Osu released Robinson, who set-up Dylan Adjei-Hersey for a simple tap-in. There was no let-up from the young Dons and it was 4-0 at the break with Elliott Bolton and David Fisher also on target.
At the start of the second-half Jack Madelin caught the eye with his display allowing Wimbledon to maintain the momentum. A fifth goal arrived when a long kick out from Cox released Robinson, who volleyed home across goal in fine style. In the latter stages, Wimbledon made changes with Jamil Awoyejo making a welcome return after long-term injury and first-year Issac Olaynian, who provided the assist for the sixth. A well-worked move involving Osu, Bolton and Olaynian ended with Ayoub Assal slotting home past the Stevenage keeper.
Following the match, Under-18s manager Rob Tuvey said: “Although it’s great to get the win, the most pleasing thing is the fact we got a clean sheet. That is something as a group we have been working hard on. We want to ensure that is our mindset every single day and is the base of all of our performances.
“We created chances from our patterns of play and that should give the players confidence. However, just as Saturday’s defeat won’t define our season, it’s important that these group of young men realise that winning games of football is a difficult thing. It’s so important we remain focused and get the small details of our play right both in training and matches.”
AFC Wimbledon Under-18s are back in match action on Saturday with a home game versus Peterborough United (10.30 am kick-off at the training ground).