Sunday, 03 December 2006
The Women's F.A. Cup sponsored by E.ON - Third Round
Kingsmeadow, AFC Wimbledon
Attendance: 45
Ref:
AFC Wimbledon
Claire Gooch, Laura Smith
2 (1) - (0) 1
Crystal Palace
Laura East
1
Lou Cooper
2
Jenny Castledine
3
Sammy Stewart
4
Duggan
5
Claire Gooch
Goal 34
6
Emma Whymark
7
Carly Hunt
8
Laura Smith
Goal 75
9
Beth Sims
Subbed 36
10
Andrea McGrady
Subbed 90
11
Clare Rogers
--
12
Julie Bygrave
Sub 36
13
Rolls
14
Small
15
Kane
16
Lekesha James
Sub 90
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Laura East
Goal 51
10
11

Asuperb Laura Smith volley secured victory over Crystal Palace and a place in the last 32 of the F A Women's Cup.

Palace began brightly with Lou Cooper turning a Bale shot round the post but the Dons fought back and went ahead in the 34th minute when Clare Gooch rose to head home an Emma Whymark cross. A good turn and shot by MacKennon was foiled by a smart Cooper save.

Palace began the second half brightly and deservedly equalised in the 51st minute when East outjumped a Dons player to head home a cross from the left. A Dons cross was only half-cleared to Clare Rogers, whose powerful drive was bravely blocked in the six-yard box by former Don Barker, but in the 75th minute a Rogers cutback allowed Laura Smith to drill home the winning goal. Palace fought back hard with Bale having a shot turned round the post and East seeing a dipping volley inches over the bar, but the Dons held out to join the big guns in the Fourth Round.