Ladies bid to extend great run v Crawley
AFC Wimbledon Ladies will be aiming to extend their superb unbeaten start to the league season at home to Crawley Wasps tomorrow after brushing aside Herne Bay last time out.
Chris Lyons’ side got back to winning ways in emphatic style after their FA Cup exit with a 3-0 win against London and South East Regional Women’s League newcomers Bay.
Though it ended up as a comfortable win, Lyons paid tribute to goalkeeper Tash Salgado (pictured), who made impressive saves to stop Bay getting back into it.
“We moved the ball very well, and dominated the game from start to finish,” said Lyons. “But Herne Bay had their moments and when they did we defended well. Tash made a super double save and showed why we brought her to the club in the summer. However, it was a real team display and our passing passages were very good. When the opposition remark on the quality of your game, I think it’s a very good indicator on how well you’ve played.”
The Dons had to be patient in pursuit of an opening goal, but their first-half dominance was rewarded on the stroke of half-time when Emma Keady converted a cross from Sian Wylie to make it 1-0.
There was no let-up from Wimbledon after the break and it was 2-0 early in the second-half when Keady struck again after good work from Zoe Clifford.
Clifford almost got a third when her excellent free-kick was tipped onto the bar, but Bay so nearly got one back just after the hour. It needed fine defending from Rebecca Sargent to deny Bay and then came that excellent double save from Chapman.
Wimbledon’s response to the visitors’ fightback was good and Wylie had an effort ruled out for offside, before captain Jess Trimnell sealed victory after an impressive team move.
Top-of-the-table Dons will bid to make it seven not out at home to Crawley Wasps tomorrow (2 pm kick-off at Sutton United).
AFC Wimbledon Ladies: Salgado, Colliver, Houghton-North, Sargent, Clarke (Mclaren 74), Trimnell, Hoesli-Atkins, Clifford (Bavington 74), Wylie, Keady, Whelan.