Proudly Slaying Tier 1 Challengers: Brentford Women's Smash 7-4 Defeat of Premier League Giants at Wimbledon
Brentford Women 3 AFC Wimbledon Women 4: Bees knocked out of Capital Cup by Tier 3 Wimbledon in seven goal thriller Brentford Women fell to a narrow defeat to exit the Capital Cup at the semi-final stage as they were beaten 4-3 by AFC Wimbledon Women at Bedfont Sports Club. The Bees put in a spirited performance against the highest level of opposition they have ever faced as they came from behind twice against Tier 3 opposition through an own goal and Renai McCrea. A late Maddie Phillips penalty gave Brentford hope but it was the south London side who eventually came out on top.
Hannah Billingham had the first chance of the game for the Wombles, poking an effort towards goal from the edge of the box but her strike floated wide. On 12 minutes, the Tier 3 side found the lead when Phillips was caught playing out from the back and Emily Donovan had plenty of time to find the bottom corner to make it 1-0. Carly Williams' side didn't let their heads drop and showed excellent character to get a leveller on 22 minutes.
Lucy Potter's in-swinging corner was turned into her own net by Wimbledon defender Kate Jeffery. Saskia Reeves-Priestley made a brilliant diving save to tip over the bar as Ellie Dorey let fly from 30 yards with an effort that curved in the swirling wind. On 36 minutes, Wimbledon re-established their lead when Ashlee Hincks converted an excellent free-kick that whipped into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to make it 2-1.
Donovan had a chance in added time that Reeves-Priestley held on to well and the Bees went into the break with work to do being narrowly behind. Wiktoria Kiszkis worked a good opportunity on the right to square the ball to Chelsie Berry three minutes after the restart but the winger miscued her strike. It was an excellent reaction from the Bees who pulled themselves back into the game on 50 minutes.
McCrea picked the ball up, cut inside and sent a curling effort with the outside of her left boot into the far corner to score a superb leveller. The west Londoners went closest next when Alissa Down's speculative free-kick from range had to be tipped over the bar by Lauren Allen as the rain started to pour. Former Northern Ireland international Rachel Dugdale came on to make her Brentford debut on 63 minutes having signed ahead of the game.