Goal from Sian Houghton-North proves decisive
AFC Wimbledon Ladies go into Sunday’s vital league match at home to Fulham FC Foundation in good form after edging through to the last-eight of the Surrey Women’s Cup.
The Dons secured a quarter-final tie at home to Crystal Palace Ladies in January after they staged a thrilling fightback to beat Crawley Wasps last weekend.
In a fairly even first-half, Wimbledon came close to scoring through Caz Bisson and Libby Sutchley, but the hosts could not break the deadlock and it was 0-0 at half-time.
Wimbledon had plenty to do five minutes into the second-half when Crawley snatched the lead, but there was an almost instant response from the Dons. Two minutes later Wimbledon drew level through a deflected strike from Emma Keady.
The Dons had to withstand a spell of pressure midway through the second-half with Sian Houghton-North clearing off the line and captain Suchley was forced off injured with 22 minutes left.
However, Houghton-North (pictured), who signed for the Dons recently from Aldershot, showed her importance to Wimbledon’s cause once again. The influential defender struck home the winner after Crawley had failed to clear a corner. The Dons held on for a win that secured a home tie against Palace on 18 January.
On Sunday fourth-placed Wimbledon host top-of-the-table Fulham FC Foundation in the London & South East Regional Women’s Premier Division (2.00 pm kick-off at Archbishop Tenison's School Sports Ground, New Malden).