AFC Wimbledon Under-18s earned special praise from manager Mark Robinson after winning an important match without him or any of his coaching staff!
For the second time this season, the young Dons managed themselves for the trip to Luton Town, including sorting out travel plans, tactics, plus taking the team talks.
Wimbledon triumphed 2-0 at Luton and it was a victory that earned a top half finish in the Merit League. David Fisher struck for Wimbledon in the 22nd minute after an early own goal had put Wimbledon in front.
Click on the link below for a video that offers a behind-the-scenes insight on a unique day.
Speaking after the game, Mark Robinson said: “I am chuffed for them that they kept a clean sheet in a pressure game with no coaches present. Winning football matches is hard to do at any competitive level, so to keep a clean sheet shows that there must have been some positive commitment out there, plus good social and physiological behaviour.
“As always in the grand scheme of things, it has not cured or solved anything, but if used correctly by us the coaches and embraced by the players it should be another positive step forward in their development as players and people. They now go into the second half of the season facing the top half teams in our league and the top half teams in the South West League. This should give them the opportunity to show what they are capable of by winning games in an exciting manner, offering them a chance to express themselves on and off the ball.”