Fulham Women 1-3 Wimbledon Women

Fulham Women exited the Capital Cup on Sunday afternoon, going down to a 3-1 defeat by AFC Wimbledon.

Despite the scoreline, which was harsh on the Whites, it was a wonderful occasion, with 3,181 supporters in attendance at Craven Cottage.

It wasn’t the start the majority of those would have hoped for, though, with Ellie Dorey opening the scoring for the visitors inside four minutes, sliding a low shot inside the near post after the ball bobbled kindly for her in the box.

A good response from Fulham saw us pinch the ball high up the pitch and fashion a chance for Georgia Heasman, with the forward lashing an effort narrowly wide from an acute angle.

Heasman was causing problems for the Dons’ backline, and was inches away from turning home Helen Ogle’s centre, but goalkeeper Faye Baker just about beat her to the ball.

Fulham had dominated since falling behind and a brilliant break down the right ended with Tessa Allen sending over a lovely cross which was taken off the head of Ellie Olds in the nick of time by a Wimbledon defender.

Dons striker Ashlee Hincks has been free-scoring all season and showed a glimpse of her threat in the 28^th minute, turning and unleashing a powerful strike towards goal, but Edie Kelly was well positioned to make the save.

Baker was next to be called into action, catching Olds’ looped header, before a good block from Allen at the other end prevented Emily Donovan from getting her first time attempt on target.

Dons did double their advantage five minutes before the break, though, out of nothing. Following a turnover in possession and with bodies in their favour, Hincks unselfishly laid a pass on for Dorey who coolly dispatched the finish.

Again, the Whites reacted positively, and this time they were rewarded. From the left-wing, Ogle sent over a deep cross to the far post, perfectly picking out the run of Heasman who got a toe to the ball, poking it beyond Baker to spark ecstatic scenes in the packed out Johnny Haynes Stand.

That good work threatened to be immediately undone as Gloria Siber found herself bearing down on Kelly’s goal, but the FFCW number one narrowed the angles expertly and made a fine stop.

Ogle had a half chance to restore parity in first half stoppage time when she anticipated a risky back pass from Billie Brooks, but the angle was against her and she fired wide.

The second half began with Fulham on the front foot, with Olds getting a firm head on a corner from the left, but she could only find the roof of the net.

The next goal was going to be crucial, and unfortunately it went the way of our guests. Amy Taylor charged down a Mary Southgate clearance to get in behind and square for Hincks, who rifled a shot inside the near post.

Teenager Ede Buchele had come off the bench to try and add a spark in attack. She got a couple of shots away, notably one from range in the 78^th minute which dropped agonisingly wide.

She then teed up Olds to her left, who caught her strike sweetly but narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Annie Thomas had also come off the bench, and she was unfortunate to see her acrobatic effort cleared from near the line following a Tia Foreman free-kick.

It really wasn’t a 3-1 game, and Fulham came within a whisker of reducing the deficit in stoppage time, but to no avail.

Nonetheless, the team were roared off the pitch at full-time by a crowd that was in fine voice throughout the afternoon.