IN FORM U18S KEEP MIKE SMILING
Both Cardiff City and Southampton have been deservedly beaten by in the in-form young Dons.
It's a double that takes Mike's team to nine wins for the season at a crucial point in their development.
Heading for "decision time" for the club's second years, many have given themselves with some excellent performances, starting in south Wales last Saturday . . .
Cardiff City (a)
Saturday 8 March 2008
A superb second-half performance from Mike Dove's side saw them overcome a half-time deficit to ease past Cardiff.
Goals from Reis Ashraf, Daniel Powell and Stephane Koffi in the second half capped an all-action performance from the young Dons despite atrocious conditions.
Mike's boys made light of an extremely difficult pitch and constant wind and rain to play some of their best football of the season in the second period and in the end ran out comfortable winners.
"I was really pleased with the boys in the second half," said Mike, "I walked onto the pitch after the game and couldn't believe how well they'd played on such a poor surface.
"You have to give the boys credit for persisting and always trying to play in the right way on such a bad pitch.
"It's something we've talked about before and it was nice to see them get their rewards for it."
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Dan Powell was on target for the Dons against Cardiff. |
After falling behind to an unfortunate own-goal from Tom Flanagan just before the break, the Dons responded in style in a one-sided second period.
Excellent work through midfield involving Liam Kelly and Charlie Barnett finished with a shot from Charlie Shuter that was very well saved, only for Ashraf to fire in the rebound from the edge of the box on 61 minutes.
The Dons snatched the lead eight minutes later when Koffi teed up Ashraf only for the striker's shot to be blocked and Powell swept in the loose ball from a tight angle.
Ashraf went on to hit the post as the Dons tried to put the game beyond doubt, but Koffi went one better when he finished brilliantly from Shuter's header-on.
"It was a frustrating first half," Mike added, "but the players showed a lot of belief and trust in each other in the way they passed the ball after half-time.
"It was an early start and a long day, but they were buzzing at the end of it."
Dons: Fox, King, Thorne, Flanagan, Chicksen, Barnett, Kelly, Shuter, Koffi, Ashraf, D. Powell.
Subs not used: Delderfield, Farden, Hooker, M. Powell, Carter.
Southampton
(a)Saturday 15 March 2008
Another away day against Championship opposition and another excellent performance as Daniel Delderfield's stunning second-half goal proved the difference.
Delderfield's strike, a sweet 25-yard strike on 51 minutes, settled an even contest against a Saints side managed by former Dons coach Dave Hockaday.
Goalkeeper Kurt Fox prevented his side going behind early on with a super one-on-one save in the opening minutes.
At the other end, Ollie Thorne and Reis Ashraf saw headers saved in a tactical first half of few chances.
Delderfield provided the best moment of the match six minutes after half-time which rightly produced the only goal - turning on a Thorne pass and unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top-left hand corner.
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Dan Delderfield's incredible strike secured three points at Southampton. |
David King fired another long-range shot just wide before being replaced by Charlie Shuter through injury, with Liam Kelly moving to full-back.
Fox had to be at his best to make a solid double save in the closing minutes but it was three deserved points for the young Dons.
Mike said: "It was a great response from the lads after the defeat to Wycombe in the Berks & Bucks.
"I felt we were the better side and again played some excellent possession football on a much better surface than the previous week.
"It's two wins in a week for the boys against two Championship clubs which is very pleasing.
"The boys are seeing first hand the results you can produce when you're brave enough to play football in the right way."
Dons: Fox, King (Shuter 70), Thorne, Flanagan, Chicksen, Barnett, Kelly, Delderfield, M. Powell (Farden 88), Ashraf, D. Powell.
Subs not used: Hooker, Dowling, Collins.
