Young Cards beaten but not bowed

AFC Wimbledon 4 Woking 0
FA Youth Cup 1st Round Proper
27th October 2015

Woking had won through four rounds to get to this stage but this time they faced far stronger opposition than in previous rounds and on their home ground.

Pre-match instructions from Scott Harrison were simply to go out and enjoy the occasion.

A mild evening saw Wimbledon start strongly and they were two up inside the first fifteen minutes.

The pattern of the game saw Woking concede the middle third of the pitch, which allowed the home side that extra time to pick a pass.

The main difference between the two sides was the sharper thinking from the Wimbledon side.

Woking rallied and made a few chances for themselves as the half wore on but they were unable to make that all-important breakthrough and went into the interval two behind.

Half-time: AFC Wimbledon 2 Woking 0

The visitors needed to somehow impose themselves on their hosts at the start of the second half but a third goal soon after the restart made the game all but safe for Wimbledon.

The Woking lads battled on and deserve huge credit for not letting their heads drop as they managed to exert some pressure on the home side on a number of occasions before a fourth goal left a final score which slightly flattered the hosts.

No doubt, tonight's experience will be seen as an important learning curve for the Woking coaching staff and playing squad, one which they can only benefit from.

WOKING: Luke Terry, Jake Treagus, Tommy Stevens, Dan Mahoney, George Brown, Joe Stocchetti, Miquel Anderson (Declan Appau 46), Shay Daniel (Adam Bond 65), Connor Westney, Marlon Pinder, Matt Russell (Max Benncaja 70)

My Man of the Match: the whole team for the collective effort they put in throughout the ninety minutes