Trog Chiabi rewarded a second-half fightback from our Under-18s to secure a hard-earned point against Northampton.
Chiabi (pictured) struck a second-half equaliser to earn a 1-1 for the hosts after Northampton had grabbed the initiativ early on.
After conceding a goal that came about from a set-piece 10 minutes before half-time, Wimbledon showed plenty of hunger to get back into it with Dylan Adjei-Hersey and Chiabi both almost equalising before the break after good approach play from Jack Madelin and Archie Procter.
Following that positive response, Wimbledon carried a threat into the second half by exerting sustained pressure on Northampton’s back line. Madelin and Jack Currie created chance after chance on the left flank and Kwasi Frimpong, Madelin and Under-15 Leo Castledine, who came on as a substitute, locked up the midfield well to stop the visitors. A deserved equaliser followed and it was a well-executed move that led to it. A very accurate pass from Dons keeper Matthew Cox picked out Currie, who drove down the line and cut it back for Chiabi and his shot found the back of the net after a slight deflection.
Both teams went head to head for a winner in the closing 20 minutes, but neither side had clear-cut opportunities. Northampton had a couple of set pieces towards the end, but Wimbledon held out with Isaac Ogundere making some crucial clearances to earn the point. The point meant that Wimbledon retained third place in the EFL Youth Alliance South East.