Queen’s Park Rangers 1-7 AFC Wimbledon
by George Jones – AFC Wimbledon Women
Above: AFC Wimbledon (red) get in another shot on goal in their FA Cup tie at QPR yesterday. Photo: Glyn Roberts.
AFC Wimbledon marched into the first round proper of the FA Cup with an emphatic win at Hanwell Town FC against Queen’s Park Rangers on Sunday.
Ashlee Hincks led the charge with a hat-trick in the 7-1 victory with the other goals coming from Billie Brooks, Ellie Dorey, Emily Donovan, and Gloria Siber.
On paper this had looked to be a tough tie for Wimbledon with QPR the only team to defeat them all season in the tier four FA Women’s National League Division One South-East. But, determined to put this right, The Dons got off to the perfect start when Brooks headed home from close range with less than 10 minutes on the clock and Ashlee Hincks doubled the advantage with a long-range stunner.
With Wimbledon continuing to dominate, it was all looking so good, but a setback followed when goalkeeper Lauren Allen suffered an ankle injury and had to be replaced. Faye Baker came on and was forced into a good save to ensure that the Dons went into the break two goals up.
The second half was one of total dominance for Wimbledon and Ellie Dorey struck the third goal 10 minutes after the break. With an hour gone, Gloria Siber replaced Impetus sponsored Mia Lockett for her first appearance of the season after returning from international duty and she made an instant impact by winning a penalty, which was converted by Hincks.
Emily Donovan slotted home to make it five after a brilliant run and pass from Siber, before Hincks completed her hat-trick, and Siber got in on the act herself to complete the scoring.
There was a late consolation goal for QPR from Blodgett, but that failed to sour a superb display that earned a trip to Selsey FC in the first round on 13 November.
Speaking after the game, a delighted Dons coach Andy May said: “The performance was really pleasing. We spoke about what we expected from the players, working on a few patterns of play and a style of football, which was implemented really well on Sunday.
Before then, the Dons are back at Carshalton Athletic with an FAWNL Cup tie on Sunday 6th November at home to Watford, who were a tier two Championship side last season. Kick-off is 2pm.
Teams: QUEEN’S PARK RANGERS: McLean, Leys, Serle, Jordinson, Grieve, Gunn, Blodgett, Hennessey, Petit, Hall, Moore. Substitutes: Curr, Parsons, Bishop, Pope.
Scorer: Blodgett 90′.
AFC WIMBLEDON: Allen (Baker), Sampson, Brooks, Highman, Billingham, Mann, Donovan, Bath (Taylor), Lockett (Siber), Hincks, Dorey.
Scorers: Brooks 7′. Hincks 17′, (pen) 71′, 89′, Dorey 56′, Donovan 87′, Siber 90′.
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