AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Enfield Town
Above: Hannah Billingham about to score AFC Wimbledon’s winning goal against Enfield Town yesterday. Photo: Glyn Roberts.
By George Jones – AFC Wimbledon Ladies (14/3/22)
Hannah Billingham produced a finish worthy of winning any game to earn a hard-fought victory for the Dons in the FA Women’s National League Division One SE on Sunday.
Billingham struck an absolute rocket into the top corner with her weaker right foot, and her 55th-minute goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win for a Wimbledon side who lost key striker Ashlee Hincks to injury after just 10 minutes. Kevin Foster’s side are third in the table with games in hand on leaders Hashtag United, so it’s still all to play for in the title chase for Wimbledon.
Yesterday’s match marked a welcome return to Plough Lane after a spell of playing home matches at Carshalton Athletic. After a scrappy first-half, it appeared that Wimbledon had got off to a perfect start in the second-half when Steph Mann’s deflected shot seemed to cross the line, but the referee thought otherwise. However, there was not long to wait before Billingham’s decisive strike, and the Dons prevented Enfield from conjuring up an equalizer in a second-half of few chances.
First-team coach Andy May said: “It was a game more about our character and our personality. We had to work hard and dig deep. We didn’t play the football we know we can, but once again we showed that character, hunger, and desire to win the game. There were pleasing elements, but also aspects that we need to look at to make sure the football is at the standard that we need.”
El Sueno Tequila player of the match Hannah Billingham said: “It was a difficult game, but credit to Enfield as they came at us and made it hard. Off the back of a good win last week, we are a bit disappointed with our performance, but three points is three points and that’s all that matters really.”
Next up for the Dons is Sunday’s vital clash at home to league leaders Hashtag United (2.00 pm kick-off at Carshalton Athletic FC).
Teams: AFC WIMBLEDON: Baker, Russell, Highman, Sargent, Billingham, Mann, Stow, Taylor (Childerhouse), Stanley, Hincks (Lewry then Sampson), Carter (Siber).
Scorer: Billingham 55′.
ENFIELD TOWN: Taylor, Slater, Powell, Carpanini, Fowle, O’Leary, Cooper, Kmita, Littlechild, Nash, Thomas. Substitutes: Romer, McKevitt, Smith, Darroux, Munro.
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