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Sunday 08 August 2004 Friendly - Women's
Northern Ladies Select XI
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AFC Wimbledon
Match report
AFC Wimbledon ladies completed their pre-season tour of Holland with a resounding victory against a team comprising the best players from the North of Holland.
Manager Graham Newnham named the starting lineup including all the players on the trip that had not taken part in the tournament the previous day, with the rest on the bench, except the injured Laura Smith.
The first half was fairly even, with both sides playing attractive football despite the soaring temperature, but it was the home team that took the lead, converting a twentieth minute corner with a brave diving header. Four minutes later and the Select XI almost doubled their lead, beating the Dons offside trap before crossing to the back post, only for the resultant header to bounce back off the post. With the weakened side, Dons lacked the firepower up front to cause many problems, but they defended resolutely and were good value to be trailing by a single goal at the break.
The second half was a different matter altogether. Lou Couper resumed between the sticks, and the bench took over. Within five minutes Andi McGrady combined with Sammy Stewart to send the later storming towards the touchline. Stewart cut back inside her marker and delivered an inch perfect cross that found the head of the smallest player on the pitch, Lisa Patey, who threw herself at the ball to equalise. Two minutes later and Patey caused more confusion in the box, allowing McGrady to stab home from close range. The home side upped their game, but were no match for the Dons solid defending and swift movement, and it was no surprise when AFC Wimbledon sealed the victory with fifteen minutes to go; Rachael Axon worked the ball out of central defence and played the ball forward to Maria Bertelli on the edge of the penalty area. Bertelli turned and shot in one movement and the ball dipped sweetly over the keeper's head and under the bar.
