Match report
AFC WIMBLEDON LADIES 0 ARSENAL LADIES 9
Arsenal Ladies, riding high and only beaten once in the National League so far this season, and 11-1 victors over Cardiff in the FA Cup last Sunday, paid the Dons Ladies the compliment of sending a team full of internationals for the London County Cup semi-final. Even their sub, Ellen Maggs, has an England appearance to her credit.
Dons, on the other hand, were without England Under 17 triallist Kylie Davies and suffered the early loss of Scottish triallist Vicky Elcome with a cracked rib, leaving only England Under 19 triallist Rachel Axon to carry the international flag.
In truth, Arsenal controlled the game almost from start to finish. Dons held out gamely until the sixteenth minute before the floodgates opened, although by that time the Premier side had already missed two clear cut chances and had a goal disallowed for offside. Arsenal's relief at finally beating Tracy Perry was apparent by Welsh international Jayne Ludlow's shriek of joy after she converted a cross from ther right with a strong finish. Just four minutes later and Vicky Elcome fell heavily clearing the ball and was rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties after cracking a rib, although she returned later in the day looking fine and promising to play next weekend. Almost immediately Ludlow broke through on the right and fired in a powerful shot that Perry did well to get near, but Jo Potter was waiting for the rebound and smashed it in. Perry was even more unfortunate with Arsenal's third, tipping Ludlow's powerful header onto the bar only for it to hit her back on the way out and roll over the line. Dons best period of the game followed, limiting Arsenal to a couple of half chances whilst pushing forward in search of a goal before half time. With the last move of the half a scramble in the box saw the ball cleared off the line twice and eventually a hurried clearance rebounded round the Arsenal post via Maria Bertelli's face!
AFC needed an early goal if there was to be any chance of a second half comeback, but it went to the visitors instead, courtsey of Jo Potter smashing home during another goalmouth scramble. For the next half an hour there were regular goals, as the Arsenal ladies fitness came to the fore. The fifth was a simple tap in for Alex Scott from a left sided cross after an attempted clearance had been charged down. The sixth was a driving shot from substitute Ellen Maggs that gave Perry no chance after a 50 yard crossfield through pass. Jo Potter beat the offside trap to complete her hat-trick with the seventh. Jayne Ludlow's hat-trick wasn't far behind, a cross deflected onto her and in for number eight and Ludlow completed the scoring with her fourth with just over ten minutes to go.
AFC held firm for the last eleven minutes, despite Arsenal's best efforts to reach double figures for the second weekend running, and walked off with their heads held high, their pride intact and many lessons learnt.
Special mention to the fans, who never stopped singing in the second half, and the Arsenal keeper Emma Byrne who bore the brunt of much of the chanting with good grace, and even a smile and a wave. Eventually :o) Tracy Perry also made several fine save worthy of note, and none of the AFC players let their heads drop at any stage. |
