Our women's first-team made it five matches unbeaten with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory in the FAWNL Plate on Sunday.
Following a 3-3 draw after extra-time, the Dons got the better of a Portsmouth side who are a division above Kevin Foster's side in the league pyramid.
A bright first-half from the Dons put Portsmouth under pressure with Emily Donovan having a shot that skimmed the crossbar. Earlier on the same player fired just wide after an impressive team move, but the game was scoreless at the break.
The deadlock was broken early in the second-half through in-form Ashlee Hincks, who converted from close-range after a fine cross by Katie Stanley. The Dons doubled the lead after 67 minutes when Emily Donovan got the goal she deserved, Ashlee Hincks with the assist. However, just four minutes later Portsmouth missed a penalty. At this stage, it appeared that Wimbledon were going to cruise into the last four, but two late Pompey goals ensured that the match went into extra-time.
Wimbledon needed a reaction after suffering heartbreak in the closing minutes of the second half, but just before the interval Portsmouth took the lead for the first time. What followed was a spell of extended pressure in response from the Dons and Rosie Russell fired home a superb strike to ensure that penalties were required to decide the outcome.
The Dons were unable to convert any of the first three penalties, but Lauren Allen's save and a shot against the crossbar from Portsmouth meant it was just 1-0 to the hosts after three spot kicks each. Ashlee Hincks then converted Wimbledon's first and Angel Fowler also made no mistake. With Portsmouth only able to convert one of their remaining two penalties from the first five, it went to sudden death.
Successful spot-kicks by Steph Mann, Hannah Billingham, Rosie Russell, Emily Oliver and Kelly Highman meant that Portsmouth had to score their 10th penalty to stay in it, but the spot-kick clipped a post. It was a superb victory against the odds and the Dons will be aimning to continue the momentum with a match against Stevenage (2.00 pm kick-off at Carshalton), before taking on QPR back at the Cherry Red Records Stadium (Wednesday 16 February, 7.45 pm kick-off). You can book for this match via our online ticket page .
Pic credit: Kelly Jade-Whelan.