Zach Robinson continued his rich vein of goal scoring form with a double to help our development team to an impressive victory away win at Oxford today.
Zach (pictured left with coach Mark Robinson) bagged a brace in a 4-1 win and his strike partner Tommy Wood was also on target. It was a fine return to AFC Wimbledon action for both players with Zach currently on loan at Basingstoke Town and Tommy at Leatherhead. In a match played at Oxford United Sports Ground, Anthony Hartigan pressed his claims for a first-team start with his superb free-kick rounding off the scoring. Nik Tzanev, Nesta Guinness Walker, Shane McLoughlin, Kyron Stabana and Hartigan provided first-team experience on the day.
It was our former Under-18s player Dan Agyei who made the early running for Oxford, as he turned on the pace against the young Dons defensive line. With an Oxford side containing several first-teamers, the hosts dominated the opening half hour, but they weren't able to get the better of the Dons defence or Tzanev.
Wimbledon soaked up the pressure and waited for the opportunities and Zach Robinson was ruthless when chances arrived his way before the break. First, he got on the end of a well delivered Kyron Stabana cross from the right in the 37th minute. Three minutes later, Zach notched his second as he put away a Hartigan free-kick. It marked a fine few days for Zach, who had scored the winner for Basingstoke in the FA Trophy on Saturday. Before the break, Tzanev and Jack Madelin had to stay alert to deny Oxford a way back into the game.
Wimbledon started the second half well with Hartigan dictating play from midfield. However, Oxford pulled one back eight minutes after the restart when Sam Long headed in a Rob Hall corner. Wood restored Wimbledon's two-goal advantage midway through the second half when he got on the end of another Hartigan free-kick and the ball trickled over the line. Hartigan's performance levels and stamina caught the eye and he was rewarded for his efforts, with a well struck free-kick from just outside the area. That came with 15 minutes left and there was still time to provide valuable opportunities at Under-23 level for academy players Troy Chiabi, KJ Osu and Kwaku Frimpong.
AFC Wimbledon: Tzanev, Stabana, Collins, Madelin, Awoyejo (Osu), Guinness-Walker, McLoughlin, Hartigan, Macnab (Frimpong), Wood (Chiabi), Robinson.