It was a simply stunning return to action for AFC Wimbledon Women.
Haywards Heath were brushed aside 6-0 at Carshalton last night, with doubles from Emily Donovan, Ellie Dorey and Sandra Soares Martins.
The emphatic victory means that Kevin Forster's side are eight points clear of nearest challengers Norwich, who have two games in hand.
Both teams came out firing, but it was Wimbledon who had the better chances in the opening 10 minutes.
Former Haywards Heath player Skye Bacon found plenty of space down the left wing, and Ashlee Hincks threatened the goal area with a well-placed corner.
The first meaningful clear-cut chance of the game fell to the Dons, as some beautiful link-up play between Bacon and Emily Donovan left Ashleigh Goddard clear on goal. The Town keeper bravely dived to smother the ball at Goddard’s feet.
Moments later, Donovan sent a ball flying towards the Town goal, but the keeper was able to comfortably collect. Hincks then sent a shot flying, which was blocked by the keeper, and Donovan’s rebound went agonisingly wide of goal.
Three minutes into the second-half saw the Dons finally capitalising on their hard work - an eight-minute flurry securing a 3-0 advantage after an opening goal from Donovan, and a quick brace from Dorey!
With 60 minutes on the clock, Bacon made way for Brèon Grant, making her debut in the yellow and blue, her first touch sending a blinder of a cross into the box, which was only just cleared by the Town defenders.
The Dons made a substitution with 20 minutes left of the game, with Sandra Soares Martins coming on for Fran Ali. Grant was close to making a dream debut after a one-on-one with the Town keeper, but she was denied.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Wimbledon made two further substitutions, as Steph Mann and Billie Brooks came on for Ashleigh Goddard and Hannah Billingham respectively.
Soares Martins and Grant continued to create chances on the wings, but it was Donovan who showed her quality in front of goal, as she completed her brace on 83 minutes, thanks to a looping effort over the Town keeper.
Only two minutes later and Soares Martins added her name to the scoresheet, pouncing on a loose ball in the box.
But the Dons weren’t done yet. Soares Martins bagged herself a brace as well, striking a soaring shot from 30 yards out.
It finished 6-0 to the Dons after a flurry of braces in the second half!
Pic credit: Emily Topping
