Due to Charlton Athletic preventing spectators watching their match against QPR Women I ended up at the Hive once more. London Bees took on AFC Wimbledon Ladies this afternoon, in a capital one cup fixture. Which drew a very little crowd. The cold probably playing a part in keeping people away. Former R’s player, and current employee started for the guest. Giving me a familiar face in the side. Chloe Sampson, she’s one of our own.
On their break from league action the sides were greeted with a delayed kick off. When the London derby got underway it was the visitors who started the better, Hazelton forced into a save within the opening two minutes. From the back the bees commenced a counter attack. Jade Bell created a great chance for Jancey, but the player was unable to make use of it. Being creative again Jade set up Chiara Lape a minute later. Shot went directly at the keeper in the seventh minute. South London superstar Ashlee Hinks got her first venture of the game only sixty seconds later. Taking in a cross from Megan stow the player narrowly misses the goal. QPR legend Chloe Sampson handed Hinks a fantastic opportunity at goal in the eleventh minute, which she put away. Scoring from close range giving the Dons a lead. From kick off Meg wood looked eager to get level the score. Two chances coming instantly after, cruelly missed as her shot hit the post. Wimbledon regained possession of the ball and control of the game following this. On the eighteenth minute a corner was put into the box for Wentworth to finish. Goal and assist for Hinks only twenty minutes in. Chaos in the Don’s area almost gave the home side their first goal. But the next time the ball found a net, it was a Wimbledon goal. Three goals ahead with a minute of the half to go. Stunning free kick by Ashlee Hinks dipped into the top left corner. Game over on paper.
At half time the bees had a lot of work to do. The challenge of recovering from three goals down seemed difficult, but not impossible. Liverpool’s performance in Istanbul showed that many years ago. In the second half the drop of effort was very visible. The passion and determination looked to be gone, seeming as if both teams had accepted the result. Making this period of play rather worthless. Taking till the eighty second minute to have a chance of note London Bees seemed dreadful. Again, Jade Bell being in the middle of the very little positivity coming from the host. Bees hitting the crossbar with not much time to go. A goal came for London Bees in injury time. Chance after chance finally paid off for Bell as she got the goal she deserved.
In conclusion this match was a great advert for women’s football. Competitive in spells, and goals from both squads. Wimbledon showing their quality once again. Chloe Sampon did well fill in at an unfamiliar position, and Ashlee put on a masterclass once more. Still waiting for a result from QPR Women as things stand…
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