AFC Wimbledon youngster is an “exciting prospect” as he performs well in EFL Trophy win over Crawley Town

Johnnie Jackson has described AFC Wimbledon youngster Isaac Ogundere as an “exciting prospect” following his performance in the 3-2 EFL Trophy win against Crawley Town last night.

The 19-year-old made his fourth appearance of the season, playing as a right-sided centre-back alongside Will Nightingale and Ryley Towler.

Ogundere has also featured in the right wing-back role under Jackson and could be required to make his first League Two start of his career on  Saturday at Bradford City, with first choice Chris Gunter away with Wales on international duty. Versatile full-back Paul Osew was also taken off during the first half on Tuesday night with a sore ankle.

Ogundere spent the first half of last season out on loan with Leatherhead in the Isthmian League South Central Division and the second half with Potters Bar Town in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

He recorded his first assist for the Dons in the 75th minute on Tuesday evening, linking up with fellow academy player Kwaku Frimpong and sending a low cross into the penalty area for Ayoub Assal to sweep a shot into the roof of David Robson’s net.

“He’s comfortable there,” Jackson told the South London Press of Ognudere playing in a back three.

“We have used him there in training, and he has seen that position a lot – he knows what is required of the role.

“He can step in, and he can join in on the attack, which he showed brilliantly for Ayoub’s goal. We know that he can play in that wing-back role as well.

“He’s an exciting prospect. Every time he has been given his chance, he has acquitted himself really well.”

The Dons picked up the second win of their EFL Trophy campaign on Tuesday night and went four points clear at the top of Group J following the victory against 10-man Crawley Town.

Kyle Hudlin opened the scoring from the spot in the first half, but the Dons were pegged back when Jack Powell’s shot from distance took a deflection and sent Will Jaaskelainen the wrong way.

Assal finished off Ogundere’s cross in the 75th minute, and midfielder Kwaku Frimpong scored his first goal for the club three minutes later to secure all three points.

The visitors scored a consolation with the last kick of the game through Ludwig Francillette.

“It’s nice to get the win – we’re really pleased,” added Jackson. “We felt as though it should have been more comfortable than it was, especially with that goal at the end.

“We set out with the objective of winning, and we have won both of our games in this competition now. We’re pleased with our night’s work.

“I was particularly pleased with the energy and the work-rate shown tonight. We were right at it and on the front foot for large parts of the game.

“We just had a little period for 20 minutes at the start of the second half where we came off it and thought that we were comfortable in the game because they had 10 men and we were leading – we lost a bit of our aggression. But we made some changes in the second half, and it renewed the energy – we looked strong again.”

PICTURES: LUCY DIXON