Saturday’s Isthmian Premier match at Colston Avenue represented a breakthrough moment in the career of our scholar Leo Young.
The defender, who captained our Under-18s during their FA Youth Cup run this season, made not only his first start for hosts Carshalton Athletic in their 3-3 draw with Bognor Regis Town, but also his first full senior game while out on loan.
Leo first made headlines with us a few years ago, when at just 15 his achievements for his work on and off the pitch were recognised by our Academy founder. He became the inaugural winner of the Nigel Higgs Development Award.
He’d made a couple of substitute appearances since joining on a work experience deal, but speaking after the weekend’s match, Leo said: “It was a good game to play in, especially as I made my full Carshalton debut.
“It was disappointing to concede two goals late on after dominating the first half, which did affect our promotion prospects, but I thought I did well for my first 90 minutes with them and so too did their gaffer.
“I played a part in both the second and third goals, as well as looking after my defensive duties where I was up against a striker who presented me with a few challenges.
“It was also good to catch up with fellow loanee Ollie Downs who started for Bognor, although it did feel different, as I’ve played on the same side with him for over a decade in Wimbledon’s academy structure!”
In the same division, Kai Jennings was shown a yellow card midway through the first half, but again caught the eye with another 90 minutes for Whitehawk. He played a part in their 1-0 victory away at Hastings United in front of a crowd of 1,748.
Fellow midfielder Harry Sidwell came off midway through the second half of Kingstonian’s 2-1 defeat at Lewes, his fifth appearance inside a month for Ks.
Defender Sean Sankanu, another of our scholars, made a ninth appearance for Corinthian-Casuals. He started their 2-0 defeat at Ashford Town (Middlesex) in Isthmian South Central.
Attacking midfielder Marcel Campbell recently joined Badshot Lea on loan. The second-year professional has been getting much needed game-time with them, playing his part in a packed fixture schedule. His latest appearance for the mid-table side came as a first half substitute in a 1-0 defeat to Sutton Common Rovers.
Defender Ethan Sutcliffe and his Tonbridge Angels teammates were on the end of a 3-0 defeat at Chelmsford City in National League South.
The day before, our Under-18s were away to South East champions Luton Town in the Youth Alliance Merit League 1.
The young Dons, under the guidance of Head Coach Simon Clark, lost 4-2. They’ve dropped down to sixth in the table after the weekend’s results, ending a run of three successive victories.
Photos: Simon Davies (Pro Sports Images).
