This is an archive website preserved by the Dons Trust. It has been wrapped for modern browsers and is free of trackers and legacy scripts. The original content is unchanged as much as possible. Some links and features may no longer work.
Sunday 05 October 2003 Women's Premier Reserve League Division 2 South
AFC Wimbledon
1
-
2
Ipswich Town Ladies Reserves
Match report
AFC WIMBLEDON LADIES RESERVES 1 IPSWICH TOWN LADIES RESERVES 2
AFC Reserves hoped to put the disappointment of last weeks cup exit behind them when they returned to league action against Ipswich at Dorking on Sunday. However a lack lustre display, in what was their poorest performance of the season, saw them slip to defeat conceding the winning goal with five minutes remaining.
AFC continued their habit of starting slowly and it was only the composure of experienced Rae McRickus, having her first competitive match after a serious knee injury, and the skill of Tara Dyerson on the wing that gave AFC early comfort. They also had to contend with a knee injury to central defender Immy Hillyard after 24 minutes, bringing on Joanna Goodwin in an unaccustomed position of right back and moving the versatile Danielle Davies into the middle to partner her twin Kylie. Goodwin in fact had an excellent game looking composed on the ball and strong in the tackle.
It was in the forward area that AFC looked unusually lightweight and they only had a couple of shots from Lekesha James and Geena Gordon to trouble the visitors, although in fairness AFC seemed content to knock the ball long in hope rather than keeping possession and probing for openings. At the other end AFC were rarely under pressure with keeper Charlotte Nash dealing comfortably with a long range shot and, on the one occasion they did manage to get the ball past Nash, Kylie Davies was on hand to divert the danger and the half finished scoreless.
The second half started in explosive fashion when within two minutes Dyerson took advantage of a loose ball outside the area to rocket a wonderful drive into the top right hand corner of the net. AFC should have kicked on but seemed content with their lead and Ipswich equalised on 57 minutes. A long ball down the left saw the visitor?s speedy forward race clear and send an excellent lob over the advancing Nash.
AFC started to up the tempo with Rose Maskell and Amy Price?s aggression in midfield putting Ipswich under pressure and in the final quarter Goodwin was unlucky not to score when her chip over the keeper went just wide. It was Ipswich however who took the lead on 85 minutes when they sprung the offside trap and although the initial shot was parried they were able to stab the ball home. This led to an exciting finish with Price and Goodwin coming close but it was not to be.
Credit to Ipswich for a dogged display and carving out a win but AFC must start performing from the off if they are to realise their true potential.
