Class tells as Fakenham Town bow out of FA Youth Cup with heavy home defeat to AFC Wimbledon
FA Youth Cup first round action from Fakenham Town v AFC Wimbledon at Clipbush Park. Picture: Matthew Usher. - Credit: Matthew Usher
Fakenham's FA Youth Cup adventure came to an end in no uncertain fashion at the hands of AFC Wimbledon last night despite a spirited performance against their higher-ranked opponents, writes Gareth Davies.
FA Youth Cup first round action from Fakenham Town v AFC Wimbledon at Clipbush Park. Picture: Matthew Usher. - Credit: Matthew Usher
The Ghosts had never before reached the first round proper of the competition and had fought their way through four ties before landing an encounter against professional opposition.
And they had the Dons on the ropes early on with Luke Gray prompting play in midfield before Dan Jarvis saw a low shot well saved by Billy Bishop.
At the other end Callum Wilson fired over when well placed but once Wimbledon opened the scoring on 28 minutes they had the game under control.
Billy Frost drove in a 25-yarder and three minutes later it was 3-0 as first Egli Kaja opened his account from Daniel Agyei's pass and then Agyei himself powered through to extend the lead.
FA Youth Cup first round action from Fakenham Town v AFC Wimbledon at Clipbush Park. Picture: Matthew Usher. - Credit: Matthew Usher
Home goalkeeper Bradley Palmer made good saves either side of half-time from Wilson and Frost but the fourth goal arrived on 57 when he failed to gather Frost's chip into the box and Agyei snapped up the rebound.
The stopper then pushed away another Frost effort after Alfie Egan's shot had come back off the bar but it was all Wimbledon by the midpoint of the second half and they had their fifth goal of the night on 67 minutes, substitute Joshua Ano heading in from close range following Frost's cross.
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Seven minutes later the scoreline went to 6-0 with Kaja getting his second of the night after cutting in from the left and firing his shot beyond Palmer's dive.
To their credit the young Ghosts never gave up though it was Wimbledon who had the last word with Kaja completing his hat-trick right on the 90-minute mark.
Fakenham: Palmer, Winner, L Youngs, Woodhouse (Semmons, 75), Calvert, Frary, Scott (Howlett, 63), D Jarvis, Walker (N Davies, 50), Gray. Subs not used: Turner, Faulkner (GK).
Booked: Woodhouse.
AFC Wimbledon: Bishop, Wilson, Bellikli (Stripp 61), Batchelor (Bowers 70), Roles, Harrison, Egan, Frost, Agyei (Ano 65), Kaja, Haines. Subs not used: Smith, Mannion (GK).
Booked: None.
Goals: Frost (28), Kaja (30, 74, 90), Agyei (31, 57), Ano (67).
Referee: S Feerick.
Attendance: 216.
