AFC Wimbledon Triumph Over West Ham United U-21 in EFL Trophy Knockout Stages

13 January 2026 Sports

Introduction: A Crucial EFL Trophy Encounter

The EFL Trophy Round of 16 brought together AFC Wimbledon and West Ham United Under-21s in the third round of the EFL Trophy on Monday evening. This fixture represented a significant opportunity for both sides, with a place in the EFL Trophy quarter-finals up for grabs on Monday night, meaning the winner will be just three wins away from lifting the trophy at Wembley. The match took place at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 19:00 UTC, marking the Dons’ return to Plough Lane for the first time in 2026.

Match Details and Team Form

Following their promotion via the League Two playoffs last season, AFC Wimbledon have made a good start to life in England’s third tier. After 24 League One matches, Johnnie Jackson’s team sit 13th with 31 points. Meanwhile, the Dons host a young Hammers side who have lost just twice in their last six encounters. Both teams had performed well in the group stages, with AFC Wimbledon finishing with two wins from three to comfortably reach the knockout stages, whilst the Hammers also progressed with six points after claiming two wins from their three group games.

Match Result and Significance

The encounter concluded with AFC Wimbledon securing a 3-0 victory, with goals from Alistair Smith, Callum Maycock, and Marcus Browne. This result sees AFC Wimbledon advance to the quarter-finals of the competition, keeping their Wembley dreams alive. For a club that has shown resilience in their return to League One, this cup run provides additional momentum and an opportunity to create memorable moments for their supporters. The victory also ended their poor home form, offering renewed confidence as they balance league survival with cup progression.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead

AFC Wimbledon’s progression to the EFL Trophy quarter-finals represents more than just a cup victory. For a side focused primarily on maintaining their League One status, the result demonstrates squad depth and competitive spirit. The Dons now stand just two wins away from a Wembley final, whilst West Ham’s young talents will take valuable lessons from this knockout stage experience. As the competition intensifies, AFC Wimbledon will hope this victory marks a turning point in their season, particularly regarding their home form at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.