Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.9 2021-22

Dons’ joyous homecoming
AFC Wimbledon 7 Walton Casuals 1
AFC Wimbledon enjoyed an afternoon of huge
importance as they hosted their first ever
match at Plough Lane, the superb new stadium
with an iconic address. The Third Qualifying
Round of the Vitality Women's FA Cup tie
versus Walton Casuals provided a suitably
entertaining spectacle with the hosts running
out 7-1 winners courtesy of some excellent
attacking play.
Wimbledon, of FAWNL Division One
South East, were clear favourites against their
London & South East Regional League
Division One South opponents and the hosts
had already forced a fine save from Ashleigh
McGuigan from Emily Donovan before Kelly Steph Mann about to make a challenge on Nikki Saunders
Highman scored the Dons' opener on two (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
minutes.
Walton responded well to this setback with Jodie Barker forcing Lauren Allen to tip
over a free kick and going close from the resulting corner. However, the quality of the home
attack was always evident and another well judged pass sent Rebecca Carter clear to finish
confidently on 21 minutes.
Ashlee Hincks was at the heart of much of the home teams attacking threat and,
although she lifted a shot over when set up by Megan Stow, she opened her account from the
penalty spot on the half hour to put Wimbledon three up.
Walton were far from downhearted and continued to play a nice brand of passing
football which was rewarded on 43 minutes with a goal forced home from another well
flighted corner by Brooke Garcia.
Wimbledon added to their lead midway through the second half when Stow met a half
cleared corner with a powerful shot from the edge of the area. Carter scored her second and
Wimbledon's fifth on 70 minutes as the home attack continued to create chances.
Barker nearly reduced the deficit with a fine free kick which Allen pushed away for a
corner at full stretch, At the other end McGuigan made a fine save from Hincks but was
powerless to halt the same player from scoring with an excellent finish from a tight angle on
78 minutes.
It was Hincks who completed her hat-trick late on, fittingly set up by another excellent
run and cross from Stow. The home team had rewarded a crowd of 1,405 with some exciting
attacking play but the visitors had also contributed fully with both sets of players receiving
warm applause after a memorable afternoon.
AFC Wimbledon: Lauren Allen, Angel Fowler, Rosie Russell, Steph Mann, Bianca Kelly
Highman, Sarah Wentworth, Hannah Billingham, Emily Donovan, Ashlee Hincks, Megan
Stow, Rebecca Carter. Subs: Rebecca Sargent, Emily Oliver, Jess Lewry, Lauren Pickett,
Remmi Gardner, Olivia Clement, Charlotte Flood.
Walton Casuals: Ashleigh McGuigan, Sophie Balaam, Allana Francis-Ashmeil, Madeline
Heavingham-Ford, Lauren Nicholson, Rebecca Price, Nicola Saunders, Ellie Stalley, Jodie
Barker, Bernice Tully, Brooke Garcia. Subs:
Chloe Donellan, Isabelle Johnson, Tiffany
Skinner, Phoebe Flynn.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk Issue no. 9 - 28 October 2021