AFC Wimbledon 2-0 FC United
Terry Brown says he needs two more days to run the rule over Calum Willock before offering the trialist striker a contract.
The former Peterborough United forward, 27, impressed as AFC Wimbledon turned on the second half style to lift the Supporters Direct Cup on Saturday.
Brown wants the player to report back for training on Monday morning and play against Fulham the day after – but the manager isn’t sure he’ll show.
Dons beat UniBond Premier FC United 2-0 and despite being locked in his office for nearly an hour after the contest, Brown says he wasn’t witnessing the final piece of his jigsaw being lifted into place.
He said: “No nothing has been signed I’m afraid, I need to see the boy for more than 45 minutes before I go handing out contracts.
“Calum has done well but I’ve just told his people that we need to see him in training on Monday with a view to him starting the Fulham friendly on Tuesday night before we’ll do anything.
“I haven’t had an answer on that just yet. But I hope he turns up because he looks useful and I believe he could fit in, so we’ll see what Monday brings in that regard.
“But if the player was to receive the offer of a contract somewhere else he would take it. I respect the fact he has a family to support but the ball is in his court.”
Wimbledon’s Blue Square Premier quality told in the second half but the first period belonged to the team from Manchester.
They should have gone in ahead but James Pullen was equal to Adam Carden’s penalty after haphazard Kennedy Adjei got his tackle on Reds’ striker Phil Marsh horribly wrong.
But Wimbledon, energised by a number of half-time changes, were much the better team from that point on.
They led when Chris Hussey’s debateable free-kick was low, hard and perfectly measured for Ben Judge at the back post. The defender connected well and gave Sam Ashton no chance in the United goal.
Luke Moore and Willock both almost doubled the advantage before Marsh smacked Wimbledon’s post with a fierce free-kick. The vocal 400 away fans behind the goal deserved better as his rocket came back off the up-right.
But the home win was secured in the closing stages. Moore was excellent down the right and young substitute Peter Rapson was horrendously marked, leaving the teenager to easily sweep home.
“I think some of lads that came off at half-time will look at those performances after the break and be a little concerned,” Brown added. “And rightly so. It was much better and we were so sluggish before the changes.”
FC United boss Karl Marginson said: “We can’t be too disappointed. We love playing against Wimbledon and the two clubs have a special relationship. We gave them a good match in the first half but their class told when the teams came back out.
“But we’ve enjoyed the trip to London and we’ll have a good journey home together where I’ll be taking plenty of money off the lads in cards!”
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