AFC Wimbledon Women secured an emphatic 5-1 victory over Cambridge United, in a performance that was good preparation for our Capital Cup Final against Arsenal.
A stunning goal from Rosie Russell was the highlight of a game which also saw Billie Brooks and Amy Taylor complete their comebacks from injury.
Having played Cambridge a month ago, we knew what sort of test to expect. Wimbledon dominated the opening stages of the games creating several opportunities as Emma Plewa forced a fine save and a Chloe Sampson effort cleared the bar.
However it would be the visitors who would get the opening goal after 15 minutes from the penalty spot after the referee gave a harsh handball decision against Kelly Highman. The goal did not change the flow of the game however as the Dons continued to dominate with Plewa striking the crossbar.
Less than 10 minutes after going behind we drew level as Rosie Russell got her first of the afternoon from close range following some good approach by Plewa. Less than a minute later we were in front as Ellie Dorey gave the Cambridge keeper no chance.
The pattern of Dons domination continued into the second-half with some fine link up play from a front three which included the returning Gloria Siber who was fresh back from scoring a hat-trick on international duty.
Russell plundered her second 10 minutes in when she produced some fine skill and thundered the ball into the net from 30 yards out. Just two minutes later it was 4-1 as Plewa got in on the act with a well struck free-kick which benefited from a deflection.
Three minutes from time we were awarded a penalty as Sampson was brought down in the area. It was left to Plewa who made no mistake from 12 yards to complete the scoring.
After the game Kevin Foster said: “It was a really good second-half, I thought some of the combinations we played worked really well, I thought we were ruthless and positive going forward.”
Our next game is the Capital Cup Final against Arsenal on Wednesday 26 April at CB Hounslow. This is followed by our final game of the season as we welcome Norwich City to Plough Lane on Sunday 30 and tickets – tickets are ON SALE NOW.
AFC Wimbledon: Faye Baker, Rosie Russell, Billie Brooks (Sarah Wentworth), Kelly Highman (Amy Taylor), Hannah Billingham, Fran Ali (Lauren Heria), Emily Donovan, Ellie Dorey, Emma Plewa, Chloe Sampson, Gloria Siber (Rebecca Chitole-Porter)
PIC: Emily Topping