Sunday 2nd September 2007 at the Kingsmeadow Athletics Stadium, AFC Wimbledon.

Match Report:  AFC Wimbledon Ladies 1 - 6 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies

(South East Combination)

After being unbeaten in the opening two games of the season, Diamonds Ladies traveled to South London to take on an AFC Wimbledon side that had suffered relegation from the Premier Southern Division last season. Despite a fairly even first half, Diamonds went on to dominate the second half and run out 6-1 winners.

With injuries to Kirsty Cooper (knee), Fay Howell (ankle) and the unavailability of Aileen Whelan, Katie Loydall, Caroline Moran and player manager Vicky Gallagher, the squad strengthening allowed Assistant Manager Tony Blake to name a strong side. Kelly Robinson and Stephanie Thompson replaced the two injured players, while Bethan Lee started in preference to Mikaela Welford. Nicola Raith made her debut in goal.

Despite Wimbledon's 8-0 defeat on the opening day of the season, they started strongly and confidently. An early shot from Deena Rahman into the side netting indicated their intent to shoot on site and the opening exchanges went from one end of the pitch to the other. Laura Dunn tried her luck from long range, and although the keeper failed to take the ball cleanly, there was no one to follow up, while Molly Marsh also failed to find the target from distance.

Rahman was looking extremely dangerous for the home side and Diamonds were having difficulty coping with her strength and quick feet but again, shots from outside the area posed little problem for the confident Nicola Raith in goal. Wimbledon had a great chance to take the lead on 16 minutes when Laura Worsley took the ball round the advancing Raith to cross for Nari Jung in the centre, but lack of control enabled Rosie Thurston to cover and clear the danger.

Just before the half hour mark, Diamonds had a couple of chances. Anna McLeod scuffed her shot after a good one-two between Bethan Lee and Laura Dunn, while Jade Linnell shot wide after a quick break from defence. Linnell also struck the post from a narrow angle. As the game continued to go from one end to the other, Nari Jung had a shot cleared off the line following a Rahman corner amid claims that the ball had been handled, but on 39 minutes another claim for handball was given as they tried to clear another Wimbledon attack. Nari Jung converted the spot kick.

Within 60 seconds however, Diamonds were level. Leanna Doyle sent a long ball up to Stephanie Thompson who fired in an equaliser off the post. The goal spurred on Diamonds and just before the half time break, they were ahead. Laura Dunn's shot from the edge of the area was initially blocked, but the ball rebounded back to here and she placed the ball wide of Charlotte Nash.   

Half time: AFC Wimbledon 1 - 2 R&DFC Ladies

Wimbledon seemed to run out of steam as the second half commenced and posed nowhere near the problems they created in the first half. After Stephanie Thompson's corner came back towards the corner flag, she crossed again for Laura Dunn to strike the bar. Thompson's game came to an abrupt end on 54 minutes however, when she suffered an ankle injury. After a lengthy stoppage, she was stretchered off although thankfully not suffering any broken bones.

Molly Marsh and Charly Wright started to exploit the wings to greater effect as Wimbledon continued to tire as they came under greater pressure. Mikaela Welford had replaced Thompson and she helped to increase the lead with a surging down the right flank after a great through ball from Jade Linnell. Welford's perfect cross found Bethan Lee with the easy chance to add a third goal.

Another injury scare on 67 minutes saw Jade Linnell take a knock to the ankle, but she was able to continue and within five minutes of play resuming, she got on the score-sheet lobbing the keeper from 20 yards to extend Diamonds lead. The final twenty minutes saw the visitors in complete control as they pressed for more goals. Mikaela Welford went just wide as she tried a similar attempt, but on 79 minutes she converted a cross from Bethan Lee to score goal number five.

In a rare attack from the home side, Kelly Robinson cleared from Sasha Denny, but Diamonds continued to dominate. Lee was just wide with a header, and it wasn't long before they extended the lead. On 84 minutes, Welford sent Molly Marsh away on the right and after running into the area, sent a left foot shot past Nash in the Wimbledon goal.

With a large number of injuries during the game, nine minutes of added time was played. Ashley Palmer and Amy O'Brien came on just before the end of the ninety minutes, both playing an attacking role. Palmer had a chance headed off the line by Catherine Alderton, and also shot over from close range, while O'Brien headed a Rosie Thurston free kick into the side netting as the game drew to a close.  

Full time: AFC Wimbledon 1 - 6 R&DFC Ladies

Diamonds move up one place in the League and have the chance to tale top spot next weekend when the take on League leaders Lewes on Sunday 9th September at the Dog & Duck, Wellingborough Town FC (2pm kick-off). Your support would be much appreciated.

Teams:

AFC Wimbledon Ladies: Charlotte Nash, Faye Ludlow, Laura Topliss (Sasha Denny 44), Amanda O'Neill, Nari Jung, Catherine Alderton, Roxanne Camp, Claire Malone, Jade Delahunty (Jodie Fernandes HT), Deena Rahman (Emma Roberts 75), Laura Worsley,

Subs not used: Nicola Carter.

Rushden & Diamonds Ladies: Nicola Raith, Leanna Doyle, Kelly Robinson, Rosie Thurston, Anna McLeod, Laura Dunn, Molly Marsh (Amy O'Brien 87), Charly Wright, Stephanie Thompson (Mikaela Welford 58), Jade Linnell, Bethan Lee (Ashley Palmer 87).

Subs not used: Charlene Ward.

Goals: Nari Jung 39pen (1-0), Stephanie Thompson 40 (1-1), Laura Dunn 45 (1-2), Bethan Lee 64 (1-3), Jade Linnell 74 (1-4), Mikaela Welford 79 (1-5), Molly Marsh 84 (1-6).

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Other results (2nd September)

Cambridge City 1 Northampton Town 4

Enfield Town 1 Welwyn Garden City 1

Ipswich Town 5 Whitehawk 1

Lewes 2 Bedford Town Bells 1

Forthcoming fixtures (2pm ko)

9th September Lewes (Home)

16th September Bedford Town Bells (Away)

23rd September Gillingham (Home)

26th September Northampton Town (Home - 7.45pm kick off)