AFC Wimbledon Ladies make it 16 without loss
AFC Wimbledon Ladies left it late to maintain their unbeaten league run with a superb leveller from Libby Suchley denying Camden Town, but manager Chris Lyons was full of praise for his players.
match without loss meant that the Dons moved ever closer to title success in the London & South East Regional Women’s Premier Division after they battled back for a 1-1 draw on Sunday.thA 16
Camden surprised the hosts with a goal after only two minutes and they defended doggedly to foil a Wimbledon side camped in their half.
The Dons laid put plenty of pressure on, but due to a combination of great goalkeeping from Camden goalkeeper Carmel Clinton and good fortune it was still 1-0 as the game entered its final stages.
However, Wimbledon midfielder Suchley (pictured above) stepped up to the mark just when she was needed by scoring one of the finest goals of her career. Striker Emma Keady so nearly snatched victory in the final minutes, but her effort was saved by Clinton’s knee and the Dons had to settle for a point in the end.
Suchley deservedly earned the player of the match award from the opposition, but Chris Lyons was delighted with the whole team’s battling qualities on the day.
“The format of this game panned out in a way we have seen so many times this season,” he said. “The opposition treated it like a ‘Cup Final’, played to the limit of their abilities, and their keeper ends up their best player. For me, that shows just how good we are and on another day with this type of performance we’d have scored a hatful. It was probably one of the most one sided 1-1 draws I’ve seen, but credit to Camden as they are the only team to take points off us.
“I’m very happy with the response of all our players, and I thought our game management was very good. We kept pushing and never lost our faith in scoring. Libby’s goal was sheer class, and Jess Trimnell typified her ‘Captain Fantastic’ label. I’d also like to say a big thanks to everyone who came down to watch us. We had a good crowd, and the support coming from the stand was probably the most electric we’ve had this season.
“We’re top of the league and our nearest competitors have to keep winning to get anywhere near us. I think that’s puts them under more pressure than us so we’re actually very confident we will achieve our target. However, if anyone thinks we’re letting off our pace or relaxing at all, they’ll be on the end of a beating.”
AFC Wimbledon: Salgado, Colliver, Trimnell, Clements, McLaren, Hoesli-Atkins, Keady, Suchley, Wylie (Smith 80), Bisson, Low (Clarke 68). Sub not used Tylee.