Worthing 2-3 AFC Wimbledon
by Isabelle Rogerson – AFC Wimbledon (23/10/23).
Above: Joy for AFC Wimbledon at Worthing yesterday. Photo: Emily Topping.
AFC Wimbledon overcame a tough battle at fellow tier four FAWNL Division One South-East side Worthing to progress into the First Round proper of the FA Cup yesterday.
The first chance of the game fell to Worthing, as Becki Bath stood over the free kick, but it was gathered safely by Lauren Allen. The Sussex side tested Allen once more when shot was fired from distance that went flying towards Allen at some pace, but she pulled out an excellent stop to deny the home side the opener.
Half an hour gone, and Ashlee Hincks won a free-kick, around 30 yards from the goal. Her ball evaded the wall and caused all sorts of problems in the box. Worthing keeper Dolbear parried the ball, and it came off the crossbar. But the loose ball was then picked by Emily Donovan, who was there to head it home from close range.
Not long after the Dons got the opener, Worthing had a spell of possession. Bath charged up the field, and her effort flew past Lauren Allen and into the top right corner.
Half-time came at the right time for the Dons as it allowed a re-set, and they came out on the front foot. Ellie Dorey had an excellent chance to put the Dons ahead after Dolbear was caught out of position, last-ditch defending diminished her chance at goal.
Tierney Scott broke through for Worthing until Kelly Highman caught up with her, and put in an excellent tackle to deny the home side their second.
Dorey threatened once more. She retrieved the ball in midfield and pushed her way through a crowd of defenders. One-on-one with the Dolbear, she slotted the ball home beautifully into the bottom right-hand corner to give the Dons the lead once more.
Ellie Dorey was causing all sorts of problems now. She took down the ball wonderfully and played a fantastic first-time cross towards Ashlee Hincks who finished her chance in sensational style to give the visitors a crucial two-goal cushion.
Just as well they did, as with five minutes before the end, Worthing had a lifeline. Despite the Dons’ persistent calls for offside, the flag never came, and Gemma Worsfold slid in to score.
The home side pressured for an equaliser as the clock ticked towards full-time. Lauren Allen produced two stellar saves to protect the Dons’ lead.
It was a great battle between two of tier four’s best teams, but it was AFC Wimbledon who took the spot in the first round of the FA Cup.
Teams: WORTHING: Dolbear, Young, Blakeley, Glass-Oliver, Scott, Cooper, Rowe, Andersson, Winchester, Worsfold, Bath. Substitutes: Bell, Linscer, Morris, Humphrey, Dolding.
Scorers: Bath 38′, Worsfold 85′.
AFC WIMBLEDON: Allen, Russell, Brooks, Mann, Highman, Hincks, Childerhouse, Donovan, Billingham, Dorey, Goddard. Substitutes: Baker, Ali, Sampson, McKenzie, Soares Martins, Wheeler, Porter.
Scorers: Donovan 30′, Dorey 55′, Hincks 75′.
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