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Sunday 28 September 2003 Women's Premier Reserve League Cup
AFC Wimbledon
2
-
2
Brighton & Hove Albion Ladies Res.
Match report
AFC WIMBLEDON LADIES RESERVES 2 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION LADIES RESERVES 2
(AFC Lost 4-5 on Penalites after Extra Time)
AFC went out of the Premier Reserve League Cup at the first hurdle in the cruellest possible way at Dorking on Sunday, losing in a dreaded penalty shoot-out after the scores were level after extra time.
AFC were expecting a tough game against an experienced Brighton team, who play in the top Premier Reserve Division, and so it proved although despite the visitors playing the slightly slicker football it was AFC who created the better chances. The first half was very even and ended all square but AFC went closest to scoring when Lekesha James slotted the ball past the advancing keeper but the Brighton full back was able to clear.
The second half was action packed as the outstanding Rose Maskell, who won all the aerial battles, and the hard working Kelly Nethercoat took a grip of midfield and put the Brighton defence under pressure. It was from corners however that AFC looked at their most dangerous with Roxanne Camp firing in some great crosses that Brighton did well to defend.
Never the less it was Brighton who scored first when uncharacteristic hesitancy in the AFC defence allowed the visitors centre forward to score on 58 minutes. The introduction of Tara Dyerson and Francesca Chappell gave AFC added impetus and when Sasha Denny was pushed in the area skipper Kylie Davies smashed home the resultant penalty with 9 minutes left and force extra time.
AFC showed their fighting qualities and seemed to get stronger. James soon worked her way into the box and the keeper could only parry her stinging shot allowing the alert Denny to poke the ball home. AFC seemed to be heading for a famous victory but with 5 minutes remaining an unnecessary foul just outside the box enabled Brighton to equalise from a fine free kick and set the scene for a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
AFC held the early advantage from the first set of five. Davies, James and Rachel Woodland all scored and Charlotte Nash in the home goal made a fine save and saw another effort clear the bar but the Brighton keepers save saw the tie hinge on the last kick. The keeper was sent the wrong way but AFC watched agonisingly as the ball came back off the bar and so to sudden death. Brighton and Dyerson both converted before another fine save from the Brighton keeper saw her enveloped by her team mates and send her team through to the second round in dramatic fashion.
AFC were left to rue what might have been but more importantly will have gained great experience from this epic encounter.
