Match Report - AFC WIMBLEDON 70+ - 20 Apr 2024

The 70s played AFC Wimbledon at home in the WFA National Cup Round 1. Unfortunately, the squad was reduced by injury and player availability which resulted in us only being able to field the bare minimum 6 players. That said the opposition only came with a squad of 7 but that extra pair of legs proved beneficial in the second half.

The game started positively with us moving the ball around well and creating some good moves going forward. Wimbledon defended resiliently and the shots we had were either wide or blocked by their defence. They grew into the game and started to gain ground going forward. The game became a little end to end.

Wimbledon started to get their passing game going and they started to move the ball faster and quick interchanges saw them getting behind us more and more often. Jan pulled off several saves when he was left exposed to their attacking force.

Eventually even Jan could not prevent what seemed to be the inevitable initial goal. An interchange down their right and pass square saw their attacker through one on one and he buried his low shot into Jan's right hand corner. One was soon two when we were exposed again with a ball through the middle finding their striker unmarked.

We did, however, continue to have periods of possession and make chances. Syd and Peter both had shots which their goalkeeper was equal to and saved easily. Both sides continued to create chances but the goalkeepers were on top and there was no further scoring before half time.

After regrouping at half time, we came out with purpose and started again brightly. They had a change of personnel and the fresh legs soon started to tell. They were soon moving the ball around us and we were limited to counterattacking. We got the ball up to Syd and he was supported by George and Peter but again their defence was resolute and kept us at bey.

We started to run out of energy and were struggling to keep the ball. They eventually got round us and swift passing got them through us and they lead by 3.

We now looked a defeated side and despite showing willing we struggled to gain meaningful possession. We had given everything and now were struggling with energy levels whilst the opposition came at us continuously bolstered by the score. Their persistence got its reward when we conceded again right at the end.

Wimbledon were the better side but our squad size and lack of substitutes resulted in a flattering 0 - 4 scoreline.

My thanks to the members and families that turned up to support despite the chilly conditions.

My Player of the Match is Jan who pulled off a string of saves and kept the score down.