Dons Women overcome The Gills to set up Charlton cup tie
AFC Wimbledon Women (0) 1 Dorey 66
Gillingham Women (0) 0
AFC Wimbledon overcame Gillingham in the third round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup courtesy of a second-half strike from Ellie Dorey.
The win sets up an all-London tie against Charlton Athletic in the next round, and continues the Dons’ hopes of adding to their storied history in this competition.
Despite enjoying some promising spells of possession in the first half, a lack of incisiveness in attack meant the home side struggled to fashion opportunities to score.
The brightest moment for either side came midway through the half when Gillingham’s Megan Maslak forced Faye Baker into a fine save following a stinging half-volley from the edge of the box.
Ashlee Hincks had one of a number of efforts from distance for Wimbledon, but Cara Davies was never truly tested in the Gillingham goal before the interval.
Former Chelsea and Crystal Palace attacker Hincks had a glorious chance to give the Dons
the lead early in the second half but could only shoot straight at Davies after being set up by the lively Dorey.
However, the pair linked up again on 66 minutes to devastating effect. A determined run down the left from Hincks ended with her cutting the ball back for the winger to slot home from all of six yards.
Hincks came close to wrapping up the victory in spectacular fashion when her ferocious drive from range was tipped on to the crossbar by Davies.
Despite Gillingham playing their league football in the division above, they rarely troubled Dons ‘keeper Baker in the closing stages until a late scramble saw the ball come back off the far post in injury time.
It was Dorey’s goal that decided the day though, setting up a fourth round encounter with her former side and allowing the hearty 500 or so huddled from the rain in one corner of Plough Lane to indulge in some FA Cup dreams of their own
AFC Wimbledon: (4-4-2) Baker – Russell, Highman, Brooks, Billingham – Dorey, Donovan, Mann, Bath (Plewa 57) – Stow (Siber 77), Hincks. Subs not used: Allen, Taylor, Sampson, Gardner, Lockett
