Josh Neufville’s brilliant individual goal got AFC Wimbledon’s pre-season campaign off to the perfect start in a 1-0 win over Reading.
The Dons created the better of the chances between the two sides and we were rewarded for our endeavours on the stroke of half-time as the summer signing from Luton cut inside and finished superbly.
Every player in the squad was handed 45 minutes as we rounded off a week of hard work in front of a sizeable following of our loyal supporters.
We will now be looking to build on our win this coming Wednesday as we return home to face Met Police at Imber Court.
New signings Joe Lewis, Ryan Johnson, James Tilley, Jake Reeves, Neufville and Omar Bugiel all featured from the start in a side which also included Academy graduate Morgan Williams.
This saw us line-up with an attacking formation, with Tilley and Neufville supporting Bugiel and Josh Davison from the wide areas.
Meanwhile, there were some familiar faces on show for our opponents, as we renewed acquaintances with Nesta Guinness-Walker, James Oliver-Pearce and Eddie Niedzwiecki.
Given the extreme heat, it was predictable that the match began at a slow pace. The main positive for the Dons in the first quarter was how well we built out from the back, helping to beat Reading’s high press in the process.
Johnson impressed well, combatting the aerial threats of the Royals with domineering heading, as he formed a solid partnership with his ex-Stockport County teammate Lewis. Nathan Broome was also alert to anything which passed through the lines, coming off his line quickly to snuff out a through ball.
Neufville took to his role on the left hand-side well, dropping the shoulder on several occasions before delivering several crosses. Tilley was also a threat on the right, cutting inside well before seeing a shot blocked.
Bugiel came close to breaking the deadlock before the break, with his towering header whistling just over the bar. Howeve, we didn’t have to wait much longer to take the lead as Neufville found the top corner with a stunning long-range strike on the stroke of half-time.
Johnnie Jackson rung the changes at the break with new signing Ryan McLean being handed 45 minutes alongside two more Academy graduates, Paris Lock and Aron Sasu.
Lock showed some bright touches in the opening quarter, showcasing the talent which earnt him his first professional contract this summer. Alfie Bendle also put in some strong challenges in the centre of the park alongside Alex Woodyard.
Jack Currie came close to increasing our lead as he skilfully cut inside onto his right foot and fired an effort just past the post.
Aside from a few momentary periods of pressure, we saw out the game with the minimum of fuss as our pre-season campaign got off to the best start possible.
AFC Wimbledon: Nathan Broome (Nik Tzanev), Isaac Ogundere, Joe Lewis (Alex Pearce), Ryan Johnson (Will Nightingale), Lee Brown (Jack Currie), James Tilley (Alex Woodyard), Jake Reeves (Alfie Bendle), Morgan Williams (Trialist), Josh Neufville (Paris Lock), Josh Davison (Aron Sasu), Omar Bugiel (Ryan McLean)