AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Actonians (WNL South East 1)
Project Big Picture. I first saw the words when I glanced at my phone during half-time. Digesting a bit of the detail behind the 'Big Six's' latest show of the contempt for football fans was spirit-sapping. I felt relieved to be here, one among an official attendance of just 90 people watching a Tier 4 women's football match between AFC Wimbledon and Actonians.
The bizarre bus I'd seen parked in someone's driveway as this second leg of my sponsored walk began seemed like a metaphor for every club outside the very richest of those in the men's Premier League. "YOUR FUTURE: EXTINCTION!" read the sign above the driver's window.
 |
| Quite litereally, an ominous sign |
The sport at elite level seems to be moving further away from the game I fell in love with by the day. I am conscious I sound like one of the grumpy old sports journos who used to whine on in the 90s, when I was a kid, about how football was better in their day.
"Why do you still watch it then?" I used to think. "Just to moan?" Well, I can now tell my younger self, "Yes. Partly for that reason".
My walk to Carshalton Athletic FC's War Memorial Sports Ground - where AFC Wimbledon Ladies play their home games - and the match itself, were most enjoyable. Just having the chance to start watching live football again after so many months of lockdown, shielding, surgery and recovery is something I am immensely grateful for.
A top-of-the-table clash in the FA Women's National League Division One South East saw two teams going at it from first minute to last. Indeed it was probably one of the most physical women's football matches I have ever witnessed at any level.
A young and seemingly inexperienced referee did well to keep a check on proceedings given that she understandably appeared a little daunted at times. An Actonians defender looked to be briefly left in tears when one of the Dons strikers ruthlessly shoved her into the 4G pitch as they were both tumbling towards the turf anyway.
Actonians took the points to leapfrog their hosts and end the day in second place in the table. Still unbeaten with 10 points from the first 12 on offer, only 100 per centers Ipswich Town sit above them.
Alessandra Barreca is a name I have inscribed into 'The Women's Football Yearbook' on countless occasions over the years, so often is the Actonians striker on the score sheet. I had been very much looking forward to seeing her play for the first time and although she didn't score on this occassion she impressed throughout. She almost opened the scoring with a magnificent long-range shot that crashed against the crossbar before Sharon Odofin turned the rebound just wide from a tight angle.
Something you don't get to see often at the top level of the game any more is an outfield player being forced into goal. Those intriguing subplots to a game still happen at this level though. Actonians keeper Paige Horsnell had to hobble off injured after bravely attempting to play on for several minutes with a foot injury. She had looked confident in the early stages and losing her could have been a real blow for the visitors, but Ashleigh Harte went on to do well between the sticks.
 |
| Actonians keeper Horsnell receives treatment |
Actonians recovered from the disappointment of losing their regular keeper to take the lead courtesy of a brilliant header from Odofin. She found the back of the net from Meila D'Santos' perfect cross eight minutes before half-time. There was real quality about Actonians' second goal too. Just two minutes in to the second-half Minori Ono brought a pass down out of the sky with a delicious first touch, beat her opponent and then dinked it over Dons keeper Lauren Clem.
Stand-in keeper Harte then made a wonderful save from a Hannah Billingham free kick which looked for all the world as though it was heading in to the top corner.
The third quality goal of a quality game was scored by Wimbledon substitute Jess Lewry. The former Chichester City player received a throw-in on the left-hand corner of the penalty box, turned her marker exquisitely and curled a stupendous shot across goal and into the far top corner.
With 20 minutes still to play it felt as though Wimbledon could go on to get the equaliser. They pushed strongly in the closing stages but Actonians defended resolutely for the entire 90 plus seven minutes of added time. Both teams put on a good show in an entertaining match. Well worth it for £3 and a free programme.
I would thoroughly recommend a visit to the War Memorial Sports Ground for a Carshalton Athletic FC match or an AFC Wimbledon Ladies game. Carshalton, playing as they do in the Isthmian League (Tier 7) are currently allowed to receive fans too. Obviously always check social media and websites in these ever-changing times. The situation can quickly change, especially if there are local lockdowns. The stadium is well set up for social distancing with a one-way system in place to the refreshments bar.
Approaching from the South East takes you through the picturesque town of Carshalton itself, winding your way past the glorious 12th Century Grade II listed All Saints church and round Carshalton Ponds, up through the allotments to the stadium.
Carshalton Town FC was the last club Roy Hodgson - born in nearby Croydon - represented before ending hanging up his boots in 1976. He then forged out a rather more successful career as a manager, taking himself all the way to the top job of England boss. He is of course now, at the age of 73, back in the part of the world where he grew up, as manager of Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.
 |
| Flags of the world adorn one of the stands |
As I continue my recovery from major heart surgery I am walking to women's football clubs to raise money for Rebecca's Rainbow Heart Trust, a charity which helps children with the same problem I was born with. All donations, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated and will mean an awful lot to the charity. You can donate here:
