AFC Wimbledon 2-0 Chatham Town
by Isabelle Rogerson – AFC Wimbledon (28/8/23) with exclusive photo gallery from Ben Gilby.
Above: AFC Wimbledon celebrate Ellie Dorey’s stunning second goal in the closing stages on yesterday’s FAWNL Cup Determining Round tie with Chatham Town. Photo: Ben Gilby for Impetus.
AFC Wimbledon left it late to start the competitive season with a victory as Kevin Foster’s side won in dramatic fashion yesterday.
Substitute Sandra Soares Martins scored with a long-range strike with only a few minutes remaining, before Ellie Dorey’s goal killed off Chatham Town from the league above to secure a 2-0 FAWNL Cup Determining Round victory at Carshalton Athletic.
The Dons dominated in the first half and Dorey was denied by Chatham keeper Cara Davies early on, before Ashlee Hincks shot off target. Hincks became increasingly influential as the first half progressed and she cut inside and delivered a fine cross, but no one was able to get on the end of it.
Wimbledon came close to the breakthrough when Rosie Russell powered down the right side and crossed, but Chatham somehow managed to survive after three Dons players had attempted to find the net.
Hincks threatened to net the opener before the break, but she was denied superbly by the Chatham keeper – and that meant a 0-0 scoreline at half-time.
The pressure from the hosts continued after the interval with Ashleigh Goddard going on a solo run to power through on goal, but she ended up in a collision with the Chatham keeper Davies. At the other end, Lauren Allen was required to make an excellent save after a rare attack from the visitors.
When Wimbledon captain Hannah Billingham shot over, it appeared that Chatham were going to hold on, but Soares Martins had other ideas.
The substitute tried her luck from just outside the centre circle, striking the ball beautifully with a shot that lobbed the keeper, and found the bottom right-hand corner.
It was certainly a great way to make the breakthrough, but there was more to come. As the clock ticked towards full-time, Dorey tried her luck from distance and her well-struck effort nestled into the bottom corner.
Further photos from the match from Ben Gilby for Impetus
Teams: AFC WIMBLEDON: Allen, Russell, Brooks, Highman, Ali, Hincks, Gibson, Donovan, Billingham, Dorey, Goddard. Substitutes: Mann, Taylor, Plewa, Soares Martin, Childerhouse.
Scorers: Soares Martin 88′, Dorey 90′.
CHATHAM TOWN: Davies, Haynes, Coombs, Keegan, Jestin, Jeffkins, Taylor, Espinosa, Grant, Stephens, Harney.
Referee: Lanray Alapafujah.
Attendance: 100.
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