Ladies unbeaten after 10 games
AFC Wimbledon Ladies will be aiming to maintain the consistency that has them sitting proudly at the top of the table when the second half of the season gets underway this Sunday.
Manager Chris Lyons and his assistant Dave Ward have guided the Dons to 9 wins out of 10 at the hallway stage of the 2015/16 season in the London and South East Regional Women’s League after a 5-0 victory against Aylesford.
Next up for the Dons is London Corinthians at home with the management team urging their side to maintain the high standards that have swept them to the top.
“Although we were playing against a side at the foot of the table, we played at a standard much more like what we are capable of,” said Chris. “Last week we had on and off periods, but this time I thought we maintained our standards for much longer. Our possession was good, and after half-time we upped our pressing game well.
“I think this led to us having a much firmer hold of the game and consequently more possession, which we used very well. Some of our passages of play were very good, and without an inspired performance from Aylesford’s keeper we would have had more goals.”
The Dons made the breakthrough in style against Aylesford, Libby Suchley finding the net with a superb 25-yard curler from a free-kick. It was 2-0 midway through the first-half when Suchley struck yet again from another free-kick after intelligently linking with provider Zoe Clifford (pictured).
It was Sian Wylie’s turn to claim an assist when she chased down the Aylesford defence and crossed the ball in for Rebecca Sargent to put the Dons further ahead. Wylie then had two efforts well saved before the break, Wimbledon taking a 3-0 lead into half-time.
With a half-time team talk focusing on patience, keeping possession, and pressing Aylesford, the Dons started the second half in much the same way as the first period. Jess Trimnell and Clifford saw efforts go wide as the Dons put together some very good passages of play. One such move started on the right side with full-back Colliver and ended with midfielder Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins scoring for a second week running, thanks to a composed right footed finish.
With the Dons now firmly in control and looking to freshen up their forward line, Emma Keady and Caz Bisson came on to replace the hardworking duo of Clifford and Wylie. Within two minutes, both substitutes were immediately involved in the fifth goal as Bisson crossed the ball for Keady to fire home her eighth goal of the season.
Zoe Clifford was voted as player of the match by the opposition.
AFC Wimbledon: Salgado, Colliver, Houghton-North, Clements, Clarke, Hoesli-Atkins, Sargent, Trimnell, Suchley, Wylie (Keady 76), Clifford (Bisson 76).