Following on from last weekend’s comprehensive win over Cambridge City United, the Dons travel to table topping Hashtag United. Hashtag have been in fine form this season that has seen them sail to the top of the table, after coming up from tier 4 last season they have took tier 3 like ducks to water and are currently the team to beat.
Hashtag have beaten all of the top sides last season. They started the season with a fine 2-0 win over title favourites Oxford 2-0. With a strong display on the road, followed up by a strong performance vs Rugby Borough, as they won 3-1. They then followed this up by beating Ipswich and Portsmouth respectively at home.
But it is clear that Hashtag will be going in as favourites ahead of this weekend. Hashtag currently sit on top of the table played 6 with 6 wins. With a comprehensive 3-0 win over London Bee’s last time out in the league.
Charlie Bill’s side will have their workout out as they looked to get a result vs a well-coached and drilled side. Samantha Rowland is currently leading the line for Hashtag with 6 goals so far this season. Malika Apindia Gille is close behind with 4 goals. So, the Dons will have their work cut out trying to stop Hashtags attacking players.
But the Dons also have players that have so far been in fine form this season. Most notably is Laura Mitchell. The Welsh winger is leading the way for the Dons in front of goals with 7 in just 8 games played.
After last weekend’s result vs Cambridge City. Lucy Wood managed 45 minutes in the second half. Lucy was out for 292 after a terrible ankle injury that she sustained vs Exeter in the Cup last season.
This truly was a great site for all Dons fans as the young attacking midfielder has the ability to turn the game on its head. Ok Lucy didn’t find the back of the net last weekend, but all the signs are promising, and a goal will soon be on its way.
You could see how her confident was growing when she was on the ball, her trickery and skill has not been lost and she was able to dribble past the Cambridge defenders with ease. What was a pleasure to watch. If the young midfielder can also create a partnership with Adekite Fatuga, as well as linking up with Mollie Coupar the Dons could have one of the strongest front lines within the division causing not just Hashtag a number of problems but everyone within the league.
Ahead of the game we spoke with MK Dons Women Manager Charlie Bill –
” We feel it has been really positive, the squad is going in a real upwards projection. We had some early injury set backs & still brought in three signings late on. We have been left disappointed to not be on at least 3 or 4 more points, but we have learnt from those situations & are really excited to test ourselves against two of the top sides in this division in the next week
We know it is going to be a tough test, credit to Hashtag who have come through a tough run of fixtures winning them all, but we know we have such quality in this group that against any side we back ourselves to get the three points. We know when you play the top sides you have to stayed focused in every minute of the game, if we get the basics right then we give ourselves the best possible opportunity to walk away with a positive result, it’s a game we are looking forward too.
These games I know our group will step up for, we showed that against the likes of Ipswich already this season, but we always know they can punish any opportunity you present them. We have had an excellent week’s work & it’s now about putting the game plan into practice on Sunday”
Match Information – MK Dons Women vs Hashtag United
Sunday 8th October 2023
Kick Off – 15:00pm
Parkside – Park Lane RM15 4PX
Tickets – £5.00, £3, £1
Live Commentary – CW Sports Radio from 14:45 pm (GMT) – For more information please visit https://www.cwsportradio.com/
Podcast: Game On ! MK DONS FC WOMEN Podcast | Podcast on Spotify or Via – Anchor.fm/mkdonsfcwomen(New Episodes every Friday)
Images: Christopher Foxwell – For more information please visit www.ctfphotography.co.uk
Plus special thanks to Lucy Copsey for providing some images of Hashtag United – For more information please visit https://www.lcopseyphotography.co.uk
