AFC Wimbledon 2-1 Arsenal XI - Match Report

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By Nick Teale

An Arsenal XI suffered a 2-1 defeat on a wet afternoon at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

For the most part it was an even encounter, but two goals in four minutes at the start of the second half proved decisive at Kingsmeadow.

Sammy Moore got the hosts' first after 53 minutes and Andre Blackman doubled their advantage soon later.

Benik Afobe grabbed the Gunners' goal in second-half stoppage time.

Arsenal named three players in their squad who are currently training with the Club. Wellington Silva and Ryo Miyaichi both started and goalkeeper Emi Martinez was a second-half substitute.

After a delayed kick off the game got underway 30 minutes later than scheduled.

The hosts had the first opportunity but Rick Wellard curled a free kick over the bar from 25 yards.

At the other end Arsenal went close when Chuks Aneke played Silva into space on the right. The Brazilian charged down on goal but, attempting to loft the ball over the onrushing keeper, he sent his shot wide of the far post.

Minutes later Afobe headed wide after Aneke had lofted the ball over the Wimbledon backline.

The rain subsided midway through the half and chances for both sides also dried up until just past the half hour when Shea had to dive low to his right to deny Danny Kedwell.

Oguzhan Ozyakup was unfortunate when his effort hit the bar from the edge of the area and Shea was forced into another good save shortly before the break but the half had few clear-cut chances.

But after an even first period, AFC Wimbledon quickly turned the scoreline in their favour after half time.

In the 53rd minute Moore slid in at the far post to to send the ball into the back of the net after Blackman's delivered a low cross from the left.

Four minutes later, the provider became the scorer.

Blackman received the ball just inside the area and the left back drilled into the bottom corner past Shea. All of a sudden, the Gunners had a mountain to climb.

With 71 minutes on the clock Afobe forced a good save from Seb Brown after the striker had burst into the area. Substitute Rhys Murphy tried to turn the ball home at the far post but was thwarted by Ed Harris' block.

Shortly after Murphy turned Ozyakup's low corner over the bar.

Wimbledon substitute Delano Sam-Yorke headed just wide in the closing stages and Arsenal got their consolation in stoppage time.

The ball fell to Afobe inside the area, and the England Under-17 striker cracked home from close range.