FA Women's National League Division One South East
Colston Avenue, Carshalton
Admission: Free
Programme: Free
Attendance: 90
With my girlfriend having to work today, I decided to make the most of it and take in some fairly rare Sunday afternoon action today, and with just one's men's game being played in the south-east, my attention turned to the women's variety. My shortlist was further shortened by rail engineering works and then heavy rain falling throughout the night and into the morning causing several options to be postponed. Happily postponement was never going to be an issue for this match, as it was to be played on a plastic pitch, and free entry sealed the deal for me to take in this game in the fourth tier of the women's pyramid.
AFC Wimbledon Ladies play their home fixtures at the home of Isthmian League Premier Division outfit Carshalton Athletic, and I last visited Colston Avenue over seven years ago, and since then, there have been any major changes, apart from the installation of the plastic pitch, and some general sprucing up of the existing furniture. The fantastic covered terrace is still in place, stretching along the whole of one length, and on the opposite side, there is a comparatively small all-seater stand situated to one side of the half way line. A fairly modern, bright and airy clubhouse is situated in portakabins, with a large screen showing BT Sport, whilst the club shop and refreshment outlets were closed today, although hot food and drinks could be obtained from the clubhouse. A few wooden picnic tables are scattered in front of the clubhouse, for more clement days than today. Behind the end closest to the entrance, a covered area stretches between corner flags, whilst behind the opposite goal, there is mainly uncovered standing, apart from a small covered area behind the goal. A glossy 8 page programme was offered free of charge to those who wanted one, containing the basics and made for a good souvenir of the game.
Both clubs have made good and almost identical starts to their league campaigns, both unbeaten so far and both winning two and drawing three of their opening five league games, both have scored ten goals, but Enfield are one place above Wimbledon, in fourth place, having conceded a goal fewer (five). Only five points separated the two clubs in the final standings last season, Enfield finishing in third on 35 points, three places above Wimbledon.
On a pretty miserable afternoon, with frequent heavy rain showers but with the occasional bright, sunny spell, Wimbledon made a good start, seeing a low shot parried by the keeper inside the first minute, but on five minutes they did open the scoring following a good run down the left by Rebecca Sargent, in ocean's of space, ended with a low cross into the middle finding Helen Ogle, who tapped the ball first time past the keeper. But on 16 minutes, the visitors equalised when Beth Lumsden fired a free kick across the keeper and inside the far post. Wimbledon went back into the lead on 20 minutes when Katie Stanley struck a free kick over the keeper and into the net, and four minutes later, they opened up a two goal cushion with a goal the original Wimbledon "Crazy Gang" would have been proud of, goalkeeper Charlotte Ferguson punted the ball downfield, bouncing over two Enfield players for Stanley to run onto, and she burst clear of the defence before driving the ball past the keeper. The game then settled down somewhat after the rush of goals, and with not much further attacking action, Wimbledon went into half time with a relatively comfortable two goal cushion.
The second half saw Enfield have plenty of possession and much of the play was in their attacking half, but they struggled to find a way through as Wimbledon contained them well, and controlled the game. The closest Enfield came to pulling a goal back was following two corners - one headed over the bar on 84 minutes, and three minutes into added on time, the ball was cleared on the line direct from a corner, with no goal given despite Enfield's loud protests. And so it was Wimbledon who claimed the three points and retained their unbeaten start to the season with a very good performance, and indeed this was an entertaining game to watch, and a decent advert for fourth tier women's football.
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