Above: Impetus’ Sponsored player Poppy Payne against AFC Wimbledon Photo: Myles Thornton
By Myles Thornton 19/2/4
National League outfit AFC Wimbledon Women beat fifth tier side Millwall Lionesses 2-1 in the quarter finals of the Capital Cup on Sunday.
AFC Wimbledon manager Kevin Foster made 4 changes to his side who beat Chesham United 4-0 the previous week. Fran Ali, Hannah Billingham, Ashleigh Goddard, and Skye Bacon were replaced by Steph Mann, Chloe Sampson, Molly Childerhouse and Sandra Soares Martins.
Millwall co-managers Alex Russell and Adam Rowland made two changes to the side who drew late on to Sutton United the previous week. Melissa Jones and Maizi Garwood came into the side with Ella Bailey and Liv McGregor dropping out of the squad and onto the bench respectively.
The game got going and the quality was showing, AFC Wimbledon having chance after chance, the first of which being a really good one. Molly Childerhouse’s shot was well controlled by Chrissie Wiggins in the Millwall net.
Three minutes later, Millwall had a great chance to get their noses in front but, Shannan Drewe’s shot was saved well by The Dons’ keeper, Lauren Allen.
The Wombles took the lead after 11 minutes. Emily Donovan saw her shot slip through the fingers of Millwall stopper Wiggins to fire her side into an early lead.
Wimbledon made it two just 11 minutes later. After a good bit of build up play, Ellie Dorey shot the ball over the head of Chrissie Wiggins and was fortunate for it to creep in the top of the net.
When the halftime whistle blew, the Dons would think they had a comfortable lead to easily hang onto in the second half. However, whatever was said by Alex Russell and Adam Rowland in the half time team talk worked. Liv McGregor came on for Ellen Napper and the Lionesses came out a different side, and the performance levels were upped.
With 30 minutes left to play, Shannan Drewe’s corner was turned in by first half goal scorer Ellie Dorey when she attempted to clear it away from danger. The lionesses were close to a sensational comeback.
On 84 minutes, Chloe Burr’s shot was saved on the line by dons’ goalkeeper Lauren Allen. Calls that the ball was over the line, nothing given however.
Heading into the 90th minute, Millwall striker Liv McGregor and Dons keeper Lauren Allen were both injured in a coming together on the edge of the area. It was later confirmed that there was a clash of heads, with Allen requiring hospital treatment. On behalf of everyone at Impetus 71 we wish her a speedy recovery so she can be back between the sticks soon.
The game ended, and AFC Wimbledon progressed into the Capital Cup semi-finals. Millwall Lionesses will now focus on their London & South East Regional Women’s League campaign, with a home tie next against Saltdean United on Sunday February 25th.
AFC Wimbledon: Allen, Russell, Mann, Highman (C), Hincks, Sampson, Mackenzie, Childerhouse, Donovan, Soares Martins, Dorey. Subs: Baker, Carter, Gardner, Goddard, Bacon.
Scorers: Donovan 11′, Dorey 22′
Millwall Lionesses: Wiggins, Jones, Huseyin, Seely (C), Payne, Chapman, Napper, Garwood Grandys, Watling, Drewe. Subs: Joyce, Burr, Bennett, Butler, McGregor.
Scorer: Dorey OG 60′
Referee: Abi Oyeleke
Attendance: TBC
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