AFC Wimbledon 1 (Lawrence 22) Wolves 2 (Dayman 38,42)
Wolves under-18s progressed through to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after defeating AFC Wimbledon under-18s with help from a Myles Dayman brace.
Richard Walker led his side to AFC Wimbledon under-18s in the third round of the prestigious youth competition in search for a first victory at this stage for three years.
Walker would have been encouraged by his side’s start with a successful high press frustrating Wimbledon’s defence into losing possession early on, however nothing was rewarded thus far.
The opening 15 minutes, however, was a scrappy affair with neither side able to get a foothold on possession; chances were scarce, and the bulk of play took place in the central areas of the pitch.
Quality shone through when Wimbledon opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Ed Leach won the ball in his own half and drove the length of the pitch before laying the ball off to Jake Lawrence on the right side of the penalty area, before Lawrence cut onto his left foot and curled an effort into the far top corner to break the deadlock.
The home side looked to build on their opener with spells of good possession and advances into Wolves’ half, however they would rue the good spell.
Minkyu Ji prevailed for Wolves as he burst into the opposing penalty area and took on his man down the left flank, allowing him to float a ball into Dayman’s path who headed the ball home to draw the game level.
Wolves took the lead just four minutes later through the same man; Dayman netted his second of the game after he met a perfect cross from Caden Voice and volleyed the ball off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.
Half-time | AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Wolves
Wolves looked to start the second half in similar fashion to the first with Ji central to proceedings on another occasion. He battled to win possession of the ball on the left flank, before driving to the penalty area and pulling a cross back to Emilio Ballard-Matthews whose effort was dragged narrowly wide.
The home side went close just two minutes later in the 52nd minute. Harry Hedges won the ball back in the Wolves half and went one-on one with Lewys Benjamin before striking wide with the Welshman doing enough in net.
Chances were becoming more regular for both sides as the game began to stretch in the 56th minute. Voice crossed in another inviting ball for Conor McLeod to meet this time, however his headed effort was well stopped by Ethan McGrath in the home net.
Following a lively start to the second period, the game turned to a rare lull period where neither side created any meaningful chances until Junior Nkeng found himself in Wolves’ penalty area, as he jinked away from his marker before blazing his effort over the bar.
Injuries and stoppages caused the game to slow down as it reached the 80th minute mark as Wolves were content with a slower tempo game, despite the home side continuing to search for a leveller.
Wolves held onto their lead and successfully booked their spot in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after a hard-earned victory away at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Full-time | AFC Wimbledon 1–2 Wolves
LINEUPS
AFC Wimbledon | McGrath, Cotton (Moore 70), Soukou, Harris (Mackenzie 83), Horan, Goma, Leach (Woods 89), Kirby, Hedges, Lawrence (Sealey 89), Nkeng.
Subs not used | Djedje, Norris.
Wolves | Benjamin, Dayman, Voice, White, Olagunju, Bradbury, Ballard-Matthews, Rawlings (O’Donnell 70), Bowen (Osifo 68), McLeod, Ji (Wilcox 89).
Subs not used | Hardy, Marwa, Ford, Elendu.
Report by Callum Greybanks
