Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.15 2022-23

AFC Wimbledon 1 Gillingham 0
AFC Wimbledon reached the Fourth Round of the
Vitality Women's F A Cup with a hard fought 1-0
home win over Southern Premier Division
Gillingham.
Ellie Dorey scored the crucial goal midway
through the second half to clinch a tie against
Championship opposition in Charlton Athletic.
In difficult blustery conditions with frequent
heavy showers, both teams tried hard to construct
positive build up play but were generally well
contained by strong defensive performances on
both sides. Gillingham's best work came down the
left through Georgia Griffin and Megan Maslak
who both forced last ditch defending from well
placed crosses. The hosts also found a couple of
decent openings but the shots were comfortable
for Cara Davies in the Gills' goal. Megan Maslak gets in a shot past Kelly Highman
The best move of the half was again down the (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
Gills left when a low cross set up a powerful first
time 15 yard shot from Maslak which home keeper Faye Baker reached high to tip over the
bar on 25 minutes.
Wimbledon returned after the break with the aim of putting the ball into the box
earlier and pressurise the Gillingham back line with aerial challenges. The introduction of
Emma Plewa on the wing helped in this respect and the hosts looked increasingly likely to
break the deadlock.
The crucial goal came from another break down the left and a low cross expertly
finished by Dorey with a low shot right in the corner giving Davies no chance on 65 minutes.
Gillingham responded well to the setback, creating some pressure on the Dons goal
but without creating many clear cut chances. Ashlee Hincks nearly added a second for
Wimbledon but her trademark long range effort was well saved by Davies . Right at the
end of the match Gillingham had a huge chance to equalise from a scramble in the six yard
area but a stabbed effort flew over the bar and the final whistle followed.
A crowd of close to 400 braved the elements at Plough Lane to cheer the home side
towards another Cup exploit to go with their previous victory over higher tier opposition
Billericay Town in Round Two. Now the Dons have the exciting prospect on welcoming
Charlton at the end of the month and testing themselves against opponents from two tiers
above.
AFC Wimbledon: Faye Baker, Rosie Russell, Billie Brooks, Steph Mann, Kelly
Highman, Emily Donovan, Hannah Billingham, Megan Stow, Ashlee Hincks, Becki
Bath, Ellie Dorey. Subs: Lauren Allen, Amy Taylor, Emma Plewa, Chloe Sampson,
Gloria Siber, Remmi Gardner, Mia Lockett.
Gillingham: Cara Davies, Kalani Peart, Georgia Pearch, Vicky Ashton-Jones, Georgia
Griffin, Kara Fordjour, Megan Maslak, Breon Grant, Chloe Copsey, Phoebe Leitch, Amy
Haynes. Subs: Grace Coombs, Maddie
Farrand, Niamh Jestin, Mel Espinosa, Grace
Harrison.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk