AFC Wimbledon 3-0 Ashford Town (Middx)
by George Jones – AFC Wimbledon (24/2/23).
Above: AFC Wimbledon hot shot Ashlee Hicks is congratulated after scoring for AFC Wimbledon against Ashford Town (Middx). Photo: Emily Topping.
AFC Wimbledon once again left it late to seal victory at home to Ashford Town (Middx) on Wednesday night at Carshalton in the tier four FA Women’s National League Division One South-East.
Much like the reverse fixture, facing newcomers Ashford Town proved to be a tough test. And in similar fashion to the game earlier in this season, it was a late onslaught of goals that gave the Dons all three points.
There was an added edge to the fixture, as the Capital Cup semi-final draw (to be played at Carshalton on 19th March) will see the two sides pairing up once more.
The Dons dominated possession from the start, but failed to create any clear-cut chances. As Wimbledon threatened the Ashford back line, the offside flag shot up. The first half left Wimbledon increasingly frustrated, and with just five minutes remaining before half-time, Becki Bath was sin binned.
The second-half started just as the first-half had ended, with the Dons dominating the play, but lacking the clinical edge. However, with 50 minutes on the clock Ashlee Hincks stepped up and produced a moment of brilliance. As Ashford tried to clear a ball into the box from Bath, Hincks volleyed a shot into the top right corner to give the Dons a much deserved lead.
Despite the goal, the game continued in the same fashion. Wimbledon continued to dominate possession, with the visitors showing signs of threatening on the counter-attack. With five minutes left of the game, any nerves were put to ease. Ellie Dorey doubled the lead with a looping header after getting on the end of a cross from captain Hannah Billingham.
In the dying seconds of injury-time Hincks completed the scoring from the penalty spot after being brought down.
Following the victory, Rosie Russell said: “We know what we need to do, we are good when we move the ball and we just need to keep building on that and the results follow.”
Manager Kevin Foster added: “It was a really good win, the scoreline doesn’t reflect the true meaning of the game because Ashford were much improved, and their shape was excellent. It was really difficult for us to break it down. Ultimately, it was a couple of moments of quality from our forward line that won us the game.”
There is no respite for AFC Wimbledon as they travel to title rivals Hashtag on Sunday. This is followed by a return to Plough Lane with Chesham United visiting on Sunday 5th March. Tickets are available for the Chesham United match via: https://tinyurl.com/39krmk5f
Teams: AFC WIMBLEDON: Baker, Russell, Brooks, Highman, Billingham, Taylor (Sampson), Stow (Ali), Donovan, Plewa, Hincks, Bath (Dorey).
Scorers: Hincks 51′, 90+4′ (pen). Dorey 85′.
ASHFORD TOWN (MIDDX): Schults, Duncan, Kinnane, Neufville, Durn, Down, Johnson, Wynne, Cheatley, O’Callaghan, Clarabut. Substitutes: Currivan, Constantine, Luscombe, Deluca.
Attendance: 75.
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