AFC Wimbledon 0-0 Hashtag United
By George Jones – AFC Wimbledon Ladies (21/3/22)
Above: Action from yesterday’s game between AFC Wimbledon and Hashtag United at Carshalton Athletic. Photo: Glyn Roberts.
Wimbledon went into Sunday’s game against FA Women’s National League Division One SE league leaders Hashtag United knowing realistically that a win was required to keep their chance of promotion alive but a draw would majorly derail the away team’s chances of promotion.
The Dons had less than ideal preparation for the game with a virus spreading through the camp in the days preceding the game meaning that several players went into the game at significantly less than 100%.
The hosts were also without star striker Ashlee Hincks who was ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained in last weeks victory against Enfield Town at Plough Lane.
Hashtag United got off to a great start with Faye Baker producing a fine save to prevent the visitors from taking an early lead. The rest of the first half was a very physical affair with Dons physio Steph Cantelo being called into action on several occasions.
The second half was much more open with Gloria Siber having a lot of success including one incredible run starting inside her own half beating several players before having her shot saved by the keeper.
Wimbledon kept building pressure and came close again when Rebecca Sargent’s header from a corner went agonizingly over. With an hour played, Hashtag were reduced to 10 players as Cairns was given her marching orders by referee Lucy Clark after kicking out at Megan Stow off the ball.
The Dons looked to keep building pressure with the visitors down to 10 players coming close to getting a deserved goal on several occasions with the best chance falling to Rebecca Carter whose chip landed on the roof of the net, with the game ending 0-0.
The result leaves AFC Wimbledon 16 points behind the current league leaders with four games in hand over Hashtag. The draw has opened the door for Billericay Town to overtake Hashtag if they win their own games in hand.
Speaking after the game, El Sueno Tequila player of the match Kelly Highman said: “It was a hard-fought game and it felt like it lasted forever but we battled through it. It has been a tough week for us in terms of players that are available and players that are not feeling so great, but we put in a performance today to make it a 0-0 and take two points off of the top of the league side.”
Dons Manager Kevin Foster reflected: “It was a good point. We are proud of the girls. We have had an interesting 24/48 hours with a lot going on in terms of sickness and bits and pieces. There are players playing at 60% health and fitness and they dug in deep and put in a shift and ultimately there is also the frustration of probably missing three or four clear-cut chances to win the game.”
Teams: AFC WIMBLEDON: Baker, Russell, Highman, Sargent (Fowler), Billingham, Mann (Childerhouse), Taylor, Stow, Siber, Lewry (Carter), Stanley (Pickett).
HASHTAG UNITED: Lynch, Thomas, Kelly, Gillard, Apindia, Cairns, Samways, Baker, West, Adams, Nutman. Substitutes: Riches (GK), Finneran, Adamson, Wealthall, Whinnett.
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