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Sunday 30 November 2003 FA Nationwide Women's Premier League, Southern Division
AFC Wimbledon
2
-
2
Chelsea Ladies
Match report
AFC WIMBLEDON LADIES 2 CHELSEA LADIES 2
After throwing away the points in the first game of the season the Dons Ladies were in a determined mood for revenge and, with Maria Bertelli and Michelle Riley returning from injury, confidence was high that the eight match winning streak could be extended.
Dons started brightly, and it was no surprise when Julie Bygrave continued her impressive goal a game scoring record by toe-poking into the keeper's bottom corner after only eleven minutes. AFC entered the game a single point ahead of their opponents, and a tight midfield battle with neither side allowing the other room to create chances was always on the cards, and so it proved. It wasn't until ten minutes before half time that Chelsea worked their first real opportunity, but a free header six yards out was wasted. Beth Sims made them pay instantly, running onto a ball over the top and brushing off a defender before slipping it over the advancing keeper. Two minutes later and Laura Smith found herself one on one, but the keeper blocked well before fumbling the loose ball for a corner. A minute before the break Bygrave got a foot to Sims cross from the right wing, but was only able to steer it wide.
Chelsea came out with all guns blazing in the second half, and the Dons were pegged back. A superb ball split the defence and put in Nina Downham who drew Tracy Perry before coolly lifting the ball around her to reduce the arrears. AFC weathered the storm and regained their composure, although it was Perry who was the busier of the two custodians, saving well on several occasions. The ladies held firm until nine minutes before the end, when a defensive lapse allowed the ball to travel across the face of the goal where Vicky Squires was waiting for the easiest of equalisers. Graham Newnham immediately threw on Amy Price and Jemma Lindfield and the home side held firm for the last ten minutes.
