The rise -AFC Wimbledon-

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Starting XI Analysis

(GK) - Egor Baburin - 20 - Russia
(RB) - Barry Fuller - 29 - England
(RCB) - Alan Bennett - 32 - Republic of Ireland
(LCB) - Andy Frampton - 34 - England
(LB) - Jim Fenlon - 19 - England
(RM) - Makis Bizos - 16 - Greece
(RCM) - Harry Pell - 21 - England
(LCM) - Sammy Moore - 26 - England
(RM) - George Francomb - 22 - England
(CAM) - Staphanos Dontas - 16 - Greece
(ST) - Ismet Hejiblok - 16 - Netherlands

The Don's are on a tear, but looking at it from a positional level, just how well is each player performing?

Starting in between the pipes, goal tender Egor Baburin has had a terrific run of form ever since he joined the Don's, since Baburin has been a goaltender, he hasn't allowed more than one goal in a game and has had three clean sheets in six league appearances, a huge catalyst in favor of the winning ways the Don's have adopted.

Barry Fuller has appeared in 10 of 11 games that the Don's had played, missing only one game due to a suspension for drawing a red card in an early season tilt where he lost his cool. He averages well above the consistent level and led the Don's to four clean sheets, while only being carded once (in the before mentioned game that he was ejected from).

Alan Bennett has played in all of the Don's 11 games to date not including four tournament appearances this season and has been an absolute anchor for this defense, even elevating his play in the Johnstone Paint tournament where he had been approaching near elite levels of play. Bennett's downside has been he's drawn three yellow cards in league play and his style could lead to league handed down suspensions in the future, but as of now he has put together a terrific season that he has stated will be his final.

Andy Frampton has seen five cleansheets on his watch and has been a leader on the defensive unit, he hasn't been carded yet this season and has helped keep the ball out of his own end, he hasn't put up any stats of note which has made his contributions seemingly fade from public eye, but his play has been drawing good reviews from Ray Edwards.

Jim Fenlon was a bit of a stretch after being boosted to the starting line up and has played in seven games, while garnering two clean sheets in that span, the defender also hadn't been carded and he has the tendency to disappear in tournament play where his average rating dips to a mediocre level, but the youngster has a decent future ahead of himself.

Makis Bizos has been a pleasant surprise for AFC Wimbledon, when supporters saw his call-up and immediate entry to the stating XI, many felt that the team was focusing only on the future, but in his first game he netted a goal, albeit not having one since, he has notched an assist and he is developing himself to entrench his spot at the right side of the center field.

Harry Pell has quietly been a strong starter, not much expectations were placed for the youngster but many could say that he has been the highest overachiever on the entire squad, with two goals and added one goal and assist in tournament play, given his age, his four yellow cards are expected as he learns to better pursue angles and make better reads on the ball.

Sammy Moore has played in ten games and with an expiring contract, many are torn on how to grade him, with him expected to be one of, if not the best middle fielder on the field, his play has been overshadowed by virtually every other middle fielder and as such he likely will not be brought back next season to the Don's side, he hasn't been poor, but he has just been average.

George Francomb is undoubtedly the most valuable player on the roster to date, with 11 appearances he has six goals and two assists while keeping his columns for yellow and red cards entirely clean, add that to the assist and goal he scored in tournament play and he has a terrific run, and his age only being 22 shows that his prime will soon be coming, he likely will be earning the captain armband soon enough.

Stephanos Donatas has yet to play a game for the Don's in league play and will debut in the Johnstone Paint Cup matchup upcoming. Donatas is a huge young talent and already figures to be towards the upper tier of players in the Don's system, he was easily placed in the starting position for the Don's who allowed their loans to return, focusing on developing their own youth, Donatas will be a player to watch from here on.

Ismet Heijblok had been brought in by the scouting staff touting him as a potential superstar prospect, and while the returns have been there, he still has growing to do in every aspect of his game, the striker has one goal and two assists in six appearances while continually getting solid performances on the pitch, he isn't a star yet, but as he continues to grow and the team solidifies, he could be a player to watch, him and Donatas will prove to be a top tandem if the Don's give the effort to develop both forwards.

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Acuno nets two in rare start, silences Bristol City faithful

Acuno approached Ray Edwards asking for a chance and with other talents needed a breather, the request was given, as Acuno got his first career start at the striker position of the 11 man roster, he would deliver in every way imaginable. The young striker netted two balls, on four attempts, three on goal. His goal opened up the scoring, in the 43rd minute, added the goal that set the pace in the 61st minute as the Don's shot out to a 3-0 lead.

With the unprecedented onslaught in a span of twenty minutes right in the middle of the game, Ray Edwards was able to rotate players in and allow key starters to come out of the game, naturally at this point a goal was let up as the defense lapsed, ending the bid for a clean sheet, but the teams ultimate goal was more than met, with a 3-1 victory to keep them alive in the Johnstone Paint Cup ranks.

Acuno earned man of the match honors in his rare bid to start, and while his performance was excellent, Edwards has since stated he will return to being a reserve and a key asset to come off the bench, this performance might've done more to create value in the transfer market for the young striker than anything, as it seems unlikely he will get a much larger role on a team that utilizes one striker and seems to have settled in on that one striker.

"It was an excellent performance and he is a great lad that puts all his effort out on the pitch as I expect all of my players to do, today he outpaced the opposition and showed just how good Wimbledon truly is."

Acuno's first goal



Final moments of the match