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Sunday 10 August 2003 Friendly - Women's Reserves
AFC Wimbledon
3
-
3
Rhode Island Rays
Match report
AFC WIMBLEDON LADIES RESERVES 3 RHODE ISLAND LADIES 3
A last minute equaliser from Joanna Goodwin, after Amy Price's fierce shot was parried by the goalkeeper, preserved AFC's unbeaten pre season record when they entertained an excellent Rhode Island team at a sun baked Dorking on Sunday.
The American's were concluding their tour of Britain having already played Kilmarnock, Manchester United, Millwall and Chelsea and AFC can be delighted with their second half performance considering they were without several regulars due to holidays and in conditions more conducive to beach volleyball than football.
Rhode Island started impressively, knocking the ball around confidently, in contrast to AFC's rather disjointed beginning and it came as no surprise when they took the lead. AFC failed to close down in midfield and a spectacular shot from 30 yards saw the ball fly into the top of the net. AFC eventually asserted some pressure of their own and equalised when Price cleverly threaded the ball through for speedy Lekesha James to convert via the left hand post. Shortly after they nearly took the lead when, from James's cross, Roxanne Camp saw her superb volley come back from the post but it was only a matter of time before the visitors asserted their authority. Rhode Island were quick on the break and when their centre forward latched on to a through ball her pace took her clear of the defence and round keeper Charlotte Nash to score confidently and give them the advantage at the break.
Manager Rick Hack's half time team-talk appeared to work wonders as AFC looked a different side on the restart. The experience of Kim McLean and Vicky Elcome was proving invaluable and with 14 year old Stevie Lamb catching the eye AFC began exerting pressure. James was twice thwarted by the visitors keeper when put through by Price and Lamb but it was Rhode Island that were the next to score with a piece of opportunism in the box.In the excessive heat, necessitating frequent drink breaks, AFC's fitness began to tell and in the last quarter began to get a grip on the game. When the ball broke to James just outside the box with 10 minutes remaining she thundered a shot into the far corner of the net which set up the final flourish with Goodwin's tap in at the death delighting the home support.
