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Sunday 12 September 2004 Womens Premier League Cup
AFC Wimbledon
0
-
7
Birmingham City Ladies
Match report
AFC WIMBLEDON LADIES 0 BIRMINGHAM CITY LADIES 7
With the '88 Rematch drawing nearly spectators 3000 to Kingsmeadow, the ladies were relegated to Dorking for their League Cup match against National Division opponents, Birmingham City.
This was always going to be a tough fixture, City starting with eight England internationals, and with another five on their bench, and Dons shorn of Kylie Davies, who joined Fulham during the week, Maria Bertelli on international volleyball duty and Lauren Nuttall (injured). Michelle Riley's late withdrawal with a fractured nose (on her birthday!) caused yet another late reshuffle to Graham Newnham's plans.
Despite this, and a run of four games without a win, the Dons started brightly, and Jo Goodwin had an early chance after cutting in from the left, but chose to cross when a shot might have been the better option. I think it's fair to say that City had the better players in the first half, but that Dons were the better team. There wasn't a single player giving less than 100% and the defending was sharp and solid. Despite this, the away team still created several half chances, and took the lead on thirteen minutes when Rachael Yankey's cross was flicked home by Maz Ballard. Beth Sims was causing problems for the Birmingham defence, and a jinking run inside several defenders created a half chance that she just failed to connect with properly. The ladies recent run of wretched injury problems continued on the half hour when Natalie Barette, already playing with an injury. was clattered whilst clearing the ball and was unable to continue. Dons saw out the rest of the half without further incident.
Birmingham were obviously a little rattled, and responded with three substitutions early in the second period. The ploy worked. Continuing the theme of three, Vicky Gallagher and subs Jo Potter and Katie Ward took advantage of three dreadful defensive errors in the first quarter hour of the half to put City into an unassailable lead. Under the cosh now, Lou Cooper was forced into several fine saves before Karen Carney hit two in three minutes, the first a quickly taken free kick and the second an excellent solo goal. Laura Smith had a shot blocked in a rare Dons attack before Carney's cutback allowed Alex Scott to drill home the final goal six minutes from time.
