Fulham 1-3 AFC Wimbledon
by George Jones – AFC Wimbledon (21/11/22).
Above: Ellie Dorey celebrates for the Dons at Craven Cottage yesterday. Photo: Tom Smeeth.
AFC Wimbledon kicked off the Capital Cup campaign in style with a 3-1 win against Fulham FC at Craven Cottage. A brace from Ellie Dorey and a second-half goal from Ashlee Hincks was enough to ensure the Dons came out on top on a memorable day.
The impressive crowd of 3,181 were silenced early when Ellie Dorey opened the scoring not even five minutes into the game as she got on the end of an expertly placed Gloria Siber pass.
Wimbledon set out to dominate the game from that moment. The hosts had some opportunities going forward, but were kept at bay by the defensive line and goalkeeper Faye Baker. The Dons deservedly doubled their lead five minutes before the halftime break, when Dorey yet again got on the end of a fine pass, this time from Ashlee Hincks.
Immediately after the goal Dorey, had to be substituted with hamstring issues, and was replaced by Ella Newman, making her debut for the side. In the dying seconds of the first half, Fulham pulled a goal back, thanks to former Don Georgia Heasman.
The second half was an even affair, with both sides creating more and more opportunities. Fulham sent a few balls into the stands but also had an attempt cleared off the line by Amy Taylor.
Wimbledon also charged forward, but struggled to show the clinical finishing which has been a key element in recent displays. With 20 minutes to go, Hincks got on the scoresheet after a Taylor masterclass down the right wing, effectively finishing off the game.
After the game Dons captain Kelly Highman said “Fair play to Fulham, they put everything into that game today and made it difficult for us, and we made it difficult for ourselves but we came out with the win so that is all that matters.”
AFC Wimbledon Manager Kevin Foster reflected: “The early goal helped, it settled us in ways, but almost spurred them on at times. I thought they made it difficult for us but thankfully we had some quality in key areas at key times which made the difference.”
The Dons are next in action on Sunday 27th November as our Vitality Women’s FA Cup campaign continues against Billericay Town at Carshalton Athletic FC with a 3pm kickoff.
Teams: FULHAM: Kelly, Allen, Southgate, McNee, Ogle, Stormer, Olds, Lambird, Foreman, Konan, Heasman. Subs: Thomas, Cowan, Modak, Buchele, Mendes.
Scorer: Heaseman 44′.
AFC WIMBLEDON: Baker, Russell, Brooks, Highman, Taylor, Siber (Lockett), Mann (Sampson), Stow, Donovan, Hincks, Dorey (Newman). Unused subs: Allen, Hannah Billingham.
Scorers: Dorey 4′, 41. Hincks 69′.
Attendance: 3,181.
impetusfootball.org 