AFC Wimbledon’s Under-18s fell just short of a point in their opening PL Cup group stage fixture against Charlton Athletic.
The Dons face Charlton, Watford and QPR in their group this season, however they will be hoping for better results moving forwards after the opening fixture against the Addicks saw our side fall to a 4-3 loss at home.
Wimbledon lined up with Max Foulkes in goal, protected by a back four of Bailey Cotton, Riley Horan, Leo Young and Oliver Downs. Harry Sidwell, Kai Jennings and Reuben Amissah formed the midfield, while Junior Nkeng, Ed Leach and Tom Wilson were the front three.
Charlton began the game on the front foot, applying consistent pressure on our backline and saw an initial goal denied by the linesman’s flag.
The breakthrough followed soon for the visitors, as a first-time strike received from a cut-back was deflected past the reach of Foulkes and into the net.
The Dons responded well as Nkeng burst past his marker and saw a strike saved well at the near post. Leach was next to see a shot saved by the opposing goalkeeper.
After failing to find an equaliser, Wimbledon soaked up more pressure from the Charlton frontline and after a flurry of defensive blocks resulting from a scrap in the six-yard area, we ensured the deficit was only one goal going into half time.
We would go on to equalise early in the second-half as Jennings found Wilson with a through ball, before the striker’s left footed shot ricocheted off the keeper and into the goal.
The Dons wasted no time in taking the lead as Jennings ghosted his way into the box, before shifting the ball onto his left and finding the Charlton net with prowess.
Foulkes was called into action multiple times as the visitors desperately searched for an equaliser, and despite his best efforts, they soon found one as the striker turned well and found the bottom corner, past the reach of the outstretched Foulkes.
The crossbar denied Charlton the lead moments before Leach pounced at the front post to convert a Jennings’ cross and our third goal of the game.
Again though, the Addicks responded equally, with a mix-up at the back gifting the visitors their equaliser and another goal in this thrilling affair.
Amissah, Nkeng and Downs made way respectively for Jake Lawrence, Shawn Soukou and Kai Mackenzie as substitutes.
With only a few minutes from full time, Charlton stole the lead with a well struck half volley. The Dons pushed hard for an equalising fourth but were unable to find one as their first PL Cup game ended narrowly in defeat.
Our squad will be looking to pick up maximum points in the remaining group stage matches against Watford and QPR.