After seven months on the sidelines last season, young midfielder Kai Jennings has made this campaign one to remember.
Our talented scholar had to endure a lengthy time out due to injury, but he’s making that a distant memory. On Saturday he equalised with a volley in the second minute of added time at Concord Rangers, to earn Whitehawk a point in his ninth appearance on loan to the Isthmian Premier club.
“We were disappointed not to win as we had been on a good run, winning our last four and all with clean sheets,” said Kai. “Although that run came to an end, from a personal perspective I was happy to get another goal to keep our unbeaten run going.
“It was nice to get my third man of the match award for Whitehawk. So far, I’ve contributed two goals and two assists, which makes me happy to know that I’m doing my bit for the club.
“My time at Whitehawk has been another positive experience for me this season. It adds to my involvement for the young Dons in the FA Youth Cup, when I also managed to score important goals for the team.
“I also made my senior debut in the FA Cup, got a couple more appearances for the first team in the EFL Trophy and, of course, being on the bench at Stamford Bridge for the Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea, was another highlight.
“Overall, it’s been a good season, considering the setback of last year for me. Hopefully, it’s also a sign of things to come.”
Midfield colleague Harry Sidwell has also benefitted greatly from his time on loan, but with lowly Kingstonian in the same division.
He made his sixth appearance at the weekend as a substitute and got 45 minutes in the 3-0 defeat to Haringey Borough at Imperial Fields.
“I’m enjoying my time at the Ks,” said Harry. "It’s been a really good experience to play for them week in, week out.
“The club got relegated last week, which is a negative, but the players have worked hard in every training session and game to try and get the best outcome.
“For myself, it’s a great experience to go into a changing room that's in a relegation battle and the players, manager, and staff, have really helped me fit in with the squad to keep things positive.”
Saturday’s meeting between Cray Wanderers and Bognor Regis Town brought together two of our defenders.
Ollie Downs played 36 minutes for visitors Bognor before he came off, but his team-mates went on to win 5-1 against a Cray team including Josh Hallard, making his 12th appearance.
Scholar and defender Sean Sankanu got another 90 minutes for Isthmian South Central club Corinthian-Casuals under his belt, in a 4-2 victory over Uxbridge at King George’s Field.
Defender Ethan Sutcliffe yet again figured from the start for Tonbridge Angels, this time in their 2-2 draw at home to St Albans City in National League South.
Back at the training ground in New Malden on Saturday afternoon, our AFC Wimbledon under-18s lost 3-2 to Youth Alliance South West champions Plymouth Argyle in Merit League 1.
The young Dons twice took the lead, going ahead 1-0 and 2-1 before the break, but the visitors turned it around in the second half - coming up with another equaliser and a late winner.
Photos: Pro Sports Images.
