A dominant display got our women off to the perfect start in their FAWNL Cup campaign with Ashlee Hincks continuing her hot streak.
Last season’s top scorer hit the jackpot again with a stunning treble as the Dons earned an impressive 4-2 win at Cheltenham Town on Sunday.
There was an ideal start for the visitors as Ellie Dorey gave Wimbledon the lead inside the opening minutes. This set the tone as our women set out to dominate the game against a team doing well in a higher division. Despite having control of the game, the Dons were pegged back when Cheltenham scored against the run of play on the 20-minute mark. However, the scores were not level for long as Hincks continued her fine form by edging Wimbledon back in front with half an hour gone.
The Dons still needed goalkeeper Lauren Allen to produce a number of fine saves in the final stages of the first-half to ensure Wimbledon went into the break ahead. The second-half started with Cheltenham coming out with a point to prove as they dominated the opening 10 minutes of the second-half. However, the cutting edge came from the Dons once again as Hincks once again showed her finishing prowess with a fine finish.
Cheltenham refused to give up though and Lauren Allen was forced into saves on multiple occasions. On the hour mark, Mia Lockett was taken out inside the penalty area, resulting in Hincks completing her hat-trick from 12 yards. Despite a late consolation goal for Cheltenham, it was a dominant display from the Dons, comprehensively defeating a team currently sitting seventh in the division above.
First team coach Andy May said: “It’s a really pleasing result as we came up against a team from a higher level. We tweaked the formation to a 3-5-2, so we’re really happy with the outcome.”
The Dons are back in action on Sunday at The Cherry Red Records Stadium with a 2.00 pm kick-off versus Wymondham Town FC and more great suport for our women will be very much welcome.
Visit our online ticket page to buy now (£5 for adults, free for Under-18s).
AFC Wimbledon Women: Lauren Allen, Kelly Highman, Billie Brooks, Hannah Billingham, Chloe Sampson, Steph Mann (Emily Oliver), Emily Donovan, Becki Bath, Ellie Dorey (Rosie Russell), Ashlee Hincks, Mia Lockett (Remmi Gardner).
Pic credit: Glyn Roberts.