AFC Wimbledon Ladies warmed up for Sunday’s FA Women’s Cup tie against New London Lionesses by striking four goals for the second successive weekend.
Jenny Nagle (pictured) netted twice in a 4-2 home victory against Norwich City Ladies FC, with the other goals coming from Caroline Bisson and Katie Stanley. It means that the Dons go into their away cup tie in buoyant mood, having hit the goal trail in recent weeks, and occupying fourth place in FA Women’s National League South East Division One.
It only too five minutes for Jenny Nagle to continue her good form, as she scored from a great cross by Caroline Bisson. Moments later, Nagle returned the favour by providing the ball for Bisson to shoot low into the bottom left corner. Wimbledon were 2-0 up after just nine minutes. The front line of Stanley, Nagle and Bisson continued to cause problems throughout the first half. The play was fast-moving and Norwich occasionally tested the nerves of the Wimbledon faithful and keeper Chanell Yardley. They finally broke through on 29 minutes as Kathryn Stanley latched on to a defensive back header which eluded Yardley. Undaunted, the Dons went back on the offensive immediately. First, with a tremendous shot by Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins which drew an excellent save, as the ball was tipped over. The resulting corner from Wimbledon’s Katie Stanley, headed on by Rebecca Sargent, fell to Nagle, who made no mistake with a shot that rocketed into the back of the net.
The first-half played out with chances for both sides, including a shout for a penalty as Rosie Russell hit the deck in the box, a shot by Bisson, and a great save by Yardley. Annoying to have conceded a goal but a comfortable 3-1 lead at half time.
The second-half started much the same as the first, the early goal coming on 47 minutes, as Stanley scored from a free kick in the D after Nagle had been fouled. The game looked beyond Norwich but they were resolute and continued to battle, with Russell forced into making a calm goal-line clearance. Captain Jessica Trimnell was replaced by newcomer Megan Kowalski, as the after effects from a nasty collision in the first half finally took their toll.
Norwich were lively, but it didn’t stop AFC Wimbledon creating more chances. The defensive pairing of Hannah Billingham and Sarah Wentworth was working well, while Sian Wylie completed her first full 90 minutes for a long time after returning from injury. The visitors’ hard work paid off on 68 minutes as a midfield lapse saw substitute Reeanna Cook run clear on goal with only Yardley to beat and she made no mistake. Katie Stanley was replaced by Laura Quinn-Low a couple of minutes later, with Georgia Heasman on for Nagle soon after. Quinn-Low produced a couple of her trademark runs and Heasman put herself in the mix too. More chances fell to the Dons, while strong goalkeeping by Yardley kept the score at 4-2 when the final whistle went.
Starting line-up: 1 Chanell Yardley, 5 Rosie Russell, 6 Jessica Trimnell (C), 7 Jenny Nagle, 8 Rebecca Sargent, 9 Caroline Bisson, 12 Sarah Wentworth, 14 Katie Stanley, 16 Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins, 17 Sian Wylie, 20 Hannah Billingham
Subs: 2 Megan Kowalski, 10 Laura Quinn-Low, 15 Georgia Heasman.
AFC Wimbledon Ladies are next in action against New London Lionesses in the first round of the SSE FA Cup on Sunday 11 November (kick off 1pm). Follow the action on Twitter @afcw_ladies with more news on Instagram @afcwladies and Facebook @AFCWimbledonLadies.