By day I am a mild-mannered, if not bespectacled semi-unemployed slackx0r, but by lunchtime I am ACE REPORTER! Today I was casually minding my own business on the AFC Wimbledon guestbook when the very chairman himself put out an urgent request for writers.
Being (in the loosest sense possible) a writer myself, I valiantly offered my services for the good of the club. Turns out I had to write a 250-word match report on last Saturday's match against Sandhurst. And I had 45 minutes in which to do it!
And I did do it! Somewhat to my surprise, I came out with what I think is a reasonably okay piece of local-standard journo-cliche. To celebrate I went to buy some shoes - take a look at these beauties!
Anyway, if you want to read the newspaper piece, click the "more" link below.
After 10 league wins and over 4 goals a game, the Combined Counties League has seemed anything but a struggle for AFC Wimbledon.
However, Sandhurst came to Kingsmeadow to make a point for the chasing pack, and a fearless first half performance proved how fatal underestimating the opposition can be.
The visitors looked dangerous, with several shots proving the worth of former Croydon keeper Matt Martin. An early Dons goal from the lively, snappy Seb Favata failed to unleash the customary turkey shoot, as Sandhurst soon equalled and the efforts of the home team.
Wimbledon’s forward-minded fullbacks were effectively shackled and Sandhurst looked comfortable in midfield while threatening in attack. On 38 minutes,
Mark Anderson scored a deserved equaliser from four yards following a well-worked throw-in.
After the break, Sandhurst continued to press, threatening once again with a snap shot from Anderson after a badly-judged back pass.
But just as the Dons seemed short on ideas and high on frustration, two inspired substitutions turned the game. Noel Frankum’s jinking passes in midfield and Paul Scott’s close control and incisive running brought little response from the tiring Sandhurst players.
The towering Matt Everard took the relieved Dons back in front on 66 minutes before Scott, chasing every ball, conjured a skilful solo run into the opposition area. His shot came back off the post to the always predatory Kevin Cooper, who took his season’s tally to an amazing 23 goals.
A 4th goal scored by the returning Lee Sidwell clarified the result, but 4-1 was a flattering scoreline after the most testing game of the season.