AFC Wimbledon Women move to top of the league after win at Sudbury

BY SOPHIA AXELSSON

AFC Wimbledon Women moved to the top of the National League Division One South East after a 2-1 win at AFC Sudbury on Sunday.

Two new players were brought into the squad, with summer signing Summer Roberts coming into the starting 11, and new signing Hannah Mackenzie starting on the bench. 

AFC Wimbledon started the game well, but the home side were quick to press. 

The Dons’ first chance came seven minutes into the game, when Summer Roberts beat her marker down the left flank, serving Ashlee Hincks in the box, but the Sudbury goalkeeper managed to get an outstretched foot to the ball, denying Hincks from close range. 

The keeper also denied Emily Donovan early on, again another close-range effort. 

The Dons had their best chance of the game in the 22nd minute when Dorey’s header crossed the goal for an on-running Donovan. However, the ball just slipped past the back post. 

Wimbledon finally got the break they had been looking for in the 32nd minute when Hincks was served with a wonderful through-ball by Kelly Highman, and slotted the ball into the bottom corner, past the rushing keeper. 

Sudbury responded well, and a few minutes later, Russell was forced to make a goal-line clearance to keep the scoreline in the Dons’ favour. 

Donovan was given another chance in the 50th minute close to the keeper, but the keeper came out victorious once more.

In the 55 minutes, Dorey doubles the Dons lead, after wonderfully working her way through the Sudbury defence. 

Ten minutes later, Sudbury pulled one back, after a well-weighted cross caused some goalmouth confusion. 

Kevin Foster made two substitutions, with Sandra Soares Martins and Ashleigh Goddard coming on for Summer Roberts and Steph Mann, respectively. 

Goddard was given a chance not long after, but was denied, again from close range, after a Hincks freekick found its way to the back post. 

With 15 minutes left of normal time, Faye Baker made a beautiful top-corner save to keep the Dons in the lead. 

Wimbledon managed to hold on to the lead, and came away with the three points, claiming top spot in the league for the first time this season. 

PICTURE: Sophia Axelsson