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.
Wednesday 22 September 2004 FA Nationwide Women's Premier League, Southern Division
Chelsea Ladies
1
-
1
AFC Wimbledon
Match report
CHELSEA LADIES 1 AFC WIMBLEDON LADIES 1
Graham Newnham often surprises spectators with his team selection, and today was no exception. Lizzie Laws at right wing-back was the masterstroke of the evening, after being forced into action there for the last half and hour on Sunday. Last season's regular front pairing of Beth Sims and Julie Bygrave started a League game together for the first time this season.
Chelsea were riding high before the game with a 100% League record and a ten goal demolition of Ipswich Town on Sunday, but Dons took heart from their first win of the season at the weekend and went into the game believing they could cause an upset.
The first half an hour was very much a battle for dominance, with the Dons having by far the most of the ball, but unable to carve out any decisive chances. Chelsea quickly became frustrated by the hard running of the AFC Wimbledon front pair and the harrying and short passing game of the Dons midfield. Yet it was the home side that took the lead just after the half hour. Natalie Barette was harshly judged to have fouled thirty yards out, the free-kick was only half-cleared and Nicky De la Salle looped the ball back into the net from twenty yards. Chelsea should have doubled their lead four minutes later when the League's leading scorer, Nina Downham, found herself one on one with Lou Cooper. The Dons keeper managed to block the first shot, Rachael Axon threw herself in front of the second attempt and Downham's third effort went horribly wide. A minute before the break Lizzie Laws caught Downham turning just inside the box, but Cooper's gloriously saved De la Salle's resultant spot-kick to keep the Dons in it. With just seconds to go before the half time whistle, Laura Smith lost a contact lens and Lisa Patey replaced her.
The second half started much the same as the first, with the Dons pushing forward but unable to break through the solid Chelsea defence and the home side looking to play in Downham over the top. The trick almost worked in the 58th minute, but the Chelsea forward shot straight at Cooper. Soon after Downham was booked, the first of three second half Chelsea cards. AFC Wimbledon continued to ride their luck at the back, clearing off the line twice in quick succession with twenty minutes to go. De la Salle then picked up her third booking of the season. With ten minutes to go the Dons finally got some reward for their build up play when Rebecca Duggan handballed Julie Bygrave's cross in the box. Despite another yellow card for the Chelsea keeper's time-wasting / ungentle-manly conduct, Maria Bertelli stepped up to coolly equalise. With their tails up, the away team pressed for a winner. Jo Goodwin replaced Julie Bygrave in injury time and her hard running and incisive ball inside gave Keisha Ramos a half-chance of glory, but her shot curled harmlessly wide and the game ended level.
This was a superb advertisement for the ladies game, with the two opposing styles giving both sides food for thought in an open and exciting encounter. Both sides will consider themselves worthy of the three points, AFC Wimbledon for their overall dominance on the ball and Chelsea for carving out the chances to score, but on reflection a draw was a fair result on the night.
