AFC Wimbledon Ladies marched into the second round of the SSE Women’s Cup by edging out New London Lionesses on penalties.
A superb hat-trick from Caroline Bisson was just not enough to win it in normal time and with the two teams unable to be separated at 3-3 after extra-time, a penalty shoot-out was required.
It was then that a cup heroine emerged with Edie Kelly (pictured) making great saves from the penalty spot on her first-team debut between the sticks, Wimbledon triumphing 4-3 on penalties.
The victory sets up a second round cup date at home to Portsmouth FC Women at Carshalton on 2 December.
Ahead of Sunday's cup tie, New London Lionesses had described this match as 'David v Goliath' and were looking to make it into the next round for the second time in their history. Fortunately, the Dons hadn't read the script! Lionesses were first onto the scoresheet, but a good response followed from the Dons. Caroline Bisson showed her intentions by rattling the crossbar, before Wimbledon drew level on 35 minutes with a glorious free kick by Bisson from 25 yards, following a foul on Rosie Russell. The second came nine minutes later from another free-kick, which found its way in somehow from Bisson's boot again, and that put the Dons 2-1 up at the break.
The second half started with both sides looking for more goals and Bisson was the first to score with her hat-trick coming on 56 minutes with a beautiful free kick curled into the top right corner, which left the keeper with no chance.
Lionesses scored their second against the run of play on 64 minutes and it was set for a tense end to the match. Laura Quinn-Low had replaced Georgia Heasman and shortly after the goal Megan Kowalski replaced Sian Wylie, who had been clattered into during the opening minutes of the match. Hannah Baptiste replaced Sargent late on. At least 3 minutes into time added, Lionesses scored their third and took the game into extra time. There were no further goals. Katie Stanley came on as the Dons' fourth sub, replacing Jess Trimnell who had hobbled off. The hosts' last substitution was tactical as with penalties looming their keeper was substituted and an outfield player took the gloves. The Dons finished with 10 on the pitch as Quinn-Low limped off.
Onto penalties and the stuff of Wimbledon legends! Step-up to the mark Edie Kelly, who had previously saved a few spot-kicks in a recent reserves match. Two more penalty saves from Kelly, this time for the first-team, proved to be of crucial importance and Rosie Russell made no mistake in sudden death to signal ecstatic scenes among Dons players, staff, and supporters.
AFC Wimbledon host Portsmouth FC Women at Carshalton on 02 December. Spectators are welcome to come along and support the Ladies in their biggest challenge of the season so far. Follow the Dons Ladies on Twitter @afcw_ladies or on Instagram @afcwladies and Facebook @AFCWimbledonLadies.
Starting line-up: 1 Edie Kelly, 5 Rosie Russell, 6 Jessica Trimnell (C), 7 Jenny Nagle, 8 Rebecca Sargent, 9 Caroline Bisson, 12 Sarah Wentworth, 15 Georgia Heasman, 16 Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins, 17 Sian Wylie, 20 Hannah Billingham.
Subs: 10 Laura Quinn-Low, 11 Hannah Baptiste, 14 Katie Stanley, 18 Kelly Highman, 22 Megan Kowalski