AFC Wimbledon Ladies rounded off a hectic week with an impressive County Cup victory at London Bees today.
Taking on a side a division above them and with injuries forcing manager Kevin Foster to call-up several Under-23s to the senior squad, the odds were stacked against Wimbledon, but there was no stopping our ladies on the day.
The Dons got off to a great start when Ashee Hincks converted from a Chloe Sampson cross to put the visitors in front after only 10 minutes. The Dons were in determined mood to double the advantage and it was 2-0 in the 18th minute when Sarah Wentworth headed home from Ashlee Hincks’ corner.
There was still time in the first-half for Hincks to make it 3-0 just before half-time and it was some goal too as her stunning free-kick arrowed into the top corner. Bees started the second-half eager to get back into the game, but the Dons continued to have the better chances. With the game under control, the Dons brought on Szofia Siber for her debut, joining her twin Gloria, who was making her first start for our ladies after returning from international duty with Hungary Under-19s. Szofia had also represented Hungary Under-19s during the international break.
A few minutes after Szofia’s arrival it was time for another Dons debut as Roxie Fowler joined her sister Angel on the pitch. As the Dons were closing in on what looked like a deserved clean sheet, London Bees scored a consolation goal with what was pretty much the final kick of the game.
First team coach Andy May said: “It was a really pleasing performance. We set the girls a couple of targets about what we do out of possession and the pleasing thing was that the girls displayed those behaviours that we had asked from them.”
Next up for Wimbledon is another away game as the Dons make the journey to Canvey Island, where we play Hashtag United in the second round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup on Sunday 28th November.
AFC Wimbledon Ladies: Faye Baker, Rebecca Sargent (Szofia Siber), Chloe Sampson, Steph Mann, Kelly Highman, Sarah Wentworth, Gloria Siber (Roxie Fowler), Angel Fowler, Ashlee Hincks, Megan Stow, Rebecca Carter (Katie Stanley).
The picture above (taken by Glyn Roberts) shows Sarah Wentworth scoring Wimbledon's second goal.