Dons stay second in table with thrilling win
A double from Emma Keady helped AFC Wimbledon Ladies to maintain their title challenge in the London & South East Regional Women’s Premier Division.
A thrilling 4-3 win at Maidstone United consolidated second spot for Chris Lyons’ side – just three points behind leaders Fulham FC Foundation.
Played on a 3G pitch at the Gallagher Stadium, which was perfect for free-flowing passing football, Dons Ladies made an impressive start and only fine goalkeeping kept Maidstone level in the first 20 minutes.
minute when Alice Phillips broke the offside trap and volleyed home.nd However, the hosts seized the initiative against the run of play in the 32
That brought a spirited response from Wimbledon and a fine team move ended with a brilliant 25-yard volley from Rebecca Sargent that left Maidstone goalkeeper Emma Hogben with no chance.
The Dons maintained the upper hand after half-time and Keady (pictured above right) made it 2-1 after Hogben fumbled her shot into the net. There was nothing the Maidstone goalkeeper could do about Wimbledon’s third though as Keady reacted first to stab home from close range after a corner from Libby Suchley.
The best was still to come from Wimbledon when Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins volleyed home superbly from 25 yards after good work involving Linsey Clarke and Keady.
Two late Maidstone goals – one of those deep into injury-time - came too late to really affect the outcome.
Dons manager Chris Lyons said: “Maidstone are a decent hard-working team, who have already taken points off us this season, and caused problems for other teams in the top four. We knew what to expect, and I’m pleased we came away with the three points.
"It was a surface that enabled us to play good football, and some of our passages of play were exceptionally good. An important factor for us was to see our goals come from other areas of the pitch. Emma, Jordanne and Rebecca took their opportunities well, and their goals came from well-worked moves.”
“Caz Bisson was up against two centre backs who tried to keep her quiet. She had to change her play today. Despite the attempts to keep her quiet, Caz still hit the bar, and had another chance denied by their goalkeeper. Her work-rate and patience today was very good, and with Maidstone focussing their efforts on Caz, this enabled our other players to create chances.
Overall, we showed how strong our squad is. We are very happy with the three points and how everyone performed.” "I was also particularly pleased with the performances of full-backs Linsey Clarke and Ellen Martin. Their involvement had a direct impact on our first and fourth goals.