HORSHAM 0 AFC WIMBLEDON 6

HORSHAM U18s:
1.Tom Baxter 2.Adam Hutchings 3.Andy Whittingham 4.Harry Pleece 5.Matt Dingle (Edes) 6.Danny Hutchings 7.Tony Nwacchukwu (Baker) 8.Elliot Hawkes 9.Dean Wright 10.Michael Dale 11.Fred Bowles (Bryant) Subs 12.Joe Baker 14.Daniel Bryant 15.Josh Edes 16. Jordan Williams (Not Used)
 

AFC WIMBLEDON U18s:
1.Liam Poupart 2.Godfrey Asare 3.Femi Ilesman 4.Aaron Snelling 5.Ed Bell 6.Michael Kyre 7.Charlie Denis 8.Matty May 9.David Fianyor 10.Billy Dunn 11.Olli Treater 12.Jordan Cheadle 14.Lee Davison 15.James Steyning
Scorers: Fianyor, Dunn (2), May + 'A.N Other'
 

After the previous week's victory at Carshalton, the young Hornets found out how hard this league might be with a heavy 6-0 defeat against title favourites AFC Wimbledon at the Atspeed Stadium. Watched by a healthy crowd of over 100, the Dons took the game to Horsham early on and with some slick passing movements were creating genuine scoring chances that had Horsham 'keeper Tom Baxter puling off some fine saves. The visitors were also guilty of some wayward shooting that meant the game stayed goalless until the half hour mark when the Dons finally made the breakthrough for the opening goal. Horsham then had their best spell and should have equalised after a free kick was fumbled by the keeper but the Hornets had failed to follow up and the ball was cleared to safety. Seconds before the break Wimbledon hit a second goal to give them the happier half time team talk.

The second half started like the first had finished with Horsham not fully switched on and early mistakes meant two goals in the opening minutes for the buoyant visitors, as the Hornets reflected on having gone from 1-0 to 4-0 down in the space of three minutes. Horsham tried to pick up the pieces but were guilty of sloppy passing on too many occasions which put them in trouble too often. Baxter in the Horsham goalmouth continued to keep the score down with further saves until a free kick in the 70th minute evaded all defenders and goalkeeper and slipped in at the far post. Horsham kept going to the end and Dean Wright had an effort which went wide but, after a player was brought down in the box, a late penalty was put away for the visitors' sixth and final goal of the evening.

Horsham manager Ivan Raby commented. "We were taught a harsh lesson tonight. Simply, if you keep giving the ball away to a quality team you get punished. Wimbledon are setting the standards and our lads are determined to work hard to keep improving and I'm sure we will bounce back with a good performance next week."

NEXT MATCH: v Godalming Town (h) Monday 10th September ko 7.45pm