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When Sporting Bengal was created back in 1996, one of the aims was to give talented local youngsters an opportunity to compete at ‘semi pro’ level. Fast forward to 2023 and Sporting Bengal have just claimed the scalp of professional League Two EFL club, AFC Wimbledon!

Despite Storm Ciaran threatening to wreak havoc, the pitch at Mile End Stadium was passed fit and the game was given the go ahead.

An amazing night witnessed by a healthy crowd of local fans, ground hoppers and some loyal away support for The Dons, as well as the now infamous Mile End Fox!

AFC Wimbledon fielded a young yet talented team, with players like Quain Bartley who appeared several times for the first team. However, under the management of Steve Clark and assistant Matt Guidera, Bengal are formidable opposition at home and from the first minute the intensity and physicality was apparent.

As with many games in the past two seasons, Sheri Artmeladze was to prove the match winner. The talented forward showed that he was a big game player with a dazzling display of trickery and finishing, the crowd favourite really turned on the style.

Sheri opened the scoring when he picked up the ball on the left edge of the Dons box, dribbled accross the defence and fired into the top left corner! 1-0 Bengal!

The second goal was arguably more spectacular, a good team move resulted in Damilola Olusesi clipping a lovely weighted ball over the top finding Sheri who executed an audacious chip from outside the box which sailed elegantly into the back of the net!

On the hour mark the irrepressible Sheri completed his stunning hattrick as he ran onto a trademark Steven Carvell through ball and dinked the onrushing goal keeper! Cheeky.

The young Dons to their credit continued to battle and got a consolation goal through the very talented Justin Clarke. Watch out for him in the future!

Sporting Bengal closed out the game to seal an historic win!