Our women’s first-team pushed higher level side Nottingham Forest all the way, before coming up just short in Sunday’s FAWNL Plate Final.
Kevin Foster’s side scored an equaliser in style through Kelly Highman, but Forest just proved too strong in the end to earn a 2-1 victory in a well-contested final at Solihull Moors.
The Dons had beaten Norwich, Chesham, Portishead, Portsmouth and Sporting Khalsa to set-up a chance of glory, but this challenge proved to be a bridge too far.
Speaking afterwards, manager Kevin Foster said: “Credit to Nottingham Forest, I thought they were excellent in the first half. They moved the ball well, played between the lines and they got in between us.
“It’s frustrating because the first goal came after we had a player off the pitch for a minute and a half. We were trying to get her back on, so it was frustrating. In the second-half we showed a bit of resilience, we could’ve scored a couple, and we came back well against an excellent Nottingham Forest side.”
Despite the long journey and early kick-off time, Wimbledon fans heavily outnumbered Nottingham Forest's following and they were making plenty of noise as we set out to make history.
That bid almost got off to the perfect start as a long-range free-kick by Ashlee Hincks landed on the roof of the net. However, Forest took the lead in controversial circumstances. With Emily Donovan off the pitch after receiving treatment for an extended period of time, Forest took full advantage to open the scoring through Rachel Brown. Despite the setback, Wimbledon rallied and looked for an equaliser, but at the other end it needed Dons keeper Faye Baker to made a couple of fantastic saves.
With 25 minutes gone, the Dons drew level and it was a goal worthy of the occasion. Kelly Highman headed home from an Ashlee Hincks free-kick and it was game on now as both sides battled for silverware. However, Forest were back in front 10 minutes later when a superb free-kick by Rebecca Anderson left Baker with no chance.
In the second-half Wimbledon pushed for an equaliser and substitute Gloria Siber came close to restoring parity, but it just wasn't to be, and defeat was compounded by a serious knee injury for Katie Stanley, who was carried off near the end.
The Dons still have one more game left this season, a league match this Sunday at Carshalton Athletic versus Cambridge United (2.00 pm kick-off). Tickets will be available on the gate (adults £5, Under-18s free).
AFC Wimbledon: Faye Baker, Rosie Russell, Kelly Highman, Rebecca Sargent, Hannah Billingham, Steph Mann, Megan Stow (Amy Taylor), Emily Donovan, Katie Stanley (Chloe Sampson), Ashlee Hincks, Rebecca Carter (Gloria Siber).
Pic: Glyn Roberts.