Queen’s Park Rangers 2-4 AFC Wimbledon
by George Jones – AFC Wimbledon (27/3/23)
Above: AFC Wimbledon in possession at QPR yesterday. Photo: Emily Topping.
Ellie Dorey led the victory charge at Loftus Road as AFC Wimbledon bounced back emphatically after Thursday night disappointment in the tier four FA Women’s National League Division One South-East.
Dorey’s influence sparked the opening goal yesterday, before she netted twice, in a convincing 4-2 win that came after dropping two points at London Seaward.
The Dons got off to an energetic start by dominating the early stages, putting the hosts under enormous pressure, and reward followed after a QPR defender deflected the ball into her own net after fine work from Dorey.
Not content with trying to defend a one-goal lead, it was 2-0 60 seconds later as Dorey got on the scoresheet herself with a fine effort. Dorey scored again to make it 3-0 to the Dons with less than 15 minutes gone.
However, the next goal would come against the run of play for the hosts with Kasha Petit, who previously worked for AFC Wimbledon’s Foundation, reducing the arrears. That only resulted in sparking Wimbledon once again and it was 4-1 when Becki Bath was brought down inside the penalty area by the QPR keeper.
The second-half was a different story as the physical strain from a very busy fixture calendar and a growing injury list began to take its toll on the Dons.
In the opening 15 minutes of the second period Faye Baker was called into action several times to maintain the three-goal advantage. With 20 minutes left, Hannah Billingham came close to getting on the scoresheet as the home keeper spilled her long-range effort. However, it was the hosts who got the next goal with 15 minutes left. Despite Baker being called into action several times, a resolute Dons side put in a professional performance to see the game out without further scares.
Speaking after the game, Dons head coach Kevin Foster said: “It was a very good first half. I thought we were excellent going forward. When you have four chances and score three, that sets the tone for the game and it made us feel comfortable.
“Fair play to QPR as they came at us in the second half, and there was a lot of tired legs after Thursday night, but we dug in.”
AFC Wimbledon return to the Cherry Red Records Stadium at Plough Lane on Sunday with Cambridge United in opposition (2pm kick-off). Adult tickets are available for only £5 with free entry for Under-18s.
Teams: QUEEN’S PARK RANGERS: McLean, Lewin, Jordinson, Bishop, Curr, Searle, Hennessy, Blodgett, Stanley, Pope, Petit. Substitutes: Carolan, Webster, Akerman, Cutler, Moore.
Scorers: Petit 17′, Hennessy 75′.
AFC WIMBLEDON: Baker, Russell, Highman, Billingham, Sampson, Donovan (S. Siber), Dorey, Heria, Plewa, G. Siber (Wentworth), Bath.
Scorers: Own Goal 10′. Dorey 12′, 14. Plewa (pen) 25′.
Attendance: 1,231.
impetusfootball.org 