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 13 March 2005 Surrey Women's Cup
AFC Wimbledon
4
-
2
Crystal Palace Ladies
2
AET
2
Match report
AFC Wimbledon Ladies recovered from two goals down to clinch an extra time 4-2 victory against Crystal Palace in an ill-tempered Surrey Cup Semi-Final tie switched from Whyteleafe to Kingsmeadow.
Palace began strongly with Osuji bursting through to be denied by Louise Cooper and went ahead in the 19th minute when Osuji turned Michelle Riley and saw her shot bobble past Cooper for the opening goal in a drab first half.
After the break Palace went further ahead when Sharp headed home at the far post in the 58th minute, but the Dons reduced the arrears three minutes later with a Natalie Barette free kick headed on by Maria Bertelli for Michelle Riley to stab the ball home. Twelve minutes later a Beth Sims cross was fumbled and when the ball was played back in the referee awarded a penalty for handball, Maria Bertelli finishing with aplomb. Although the Dons were now on top, Osuji nearly forced a late winner before Bertelli's free kick was fumbled by Akabeuze only for the referee to blow the final whistle before the Dons could capitalise.
The Dons went ahead in the fifth minute of extra time, Danielle Rebelo flicking on a free kick for Beth Sims to score with a low shot. Osuji was again denied by Cooper before Barette and Bertelli combined to let Sims through, and although Akabeuze parried the shot Rebelo swept home the rebound to make it 4-2 in the 106th minute.
The second period of extra time was marred by ugly scenes leading to the dismissal of Osuji, but the Dons almost extended their advantage when Barette's long shot struck the Palace crossbar and from the rebound McGrady was denied by a good save from Akabeuze.
