This weekend sees MK Dons final home game at Stadium MK in the FAWNL season, and the Dons will be looking to put on a show in front of their expectant home fans. But the game itself will be no walk over, as they take on high flying Portsmouth.
Portsmouth will be desperate to spoil the party and get back to winning ways after losing out to Oxford United last weekend, thanks to a last-gasp winner, Plus the added incentive of getting revenge on the Dons, who last season beat Portsmouth at Fratton Park in front of a fantastic crowd.
Oxfords last minute winner reduced the chances of Portsmouth from winning the league. But Jay Salder’s side knows if they win all the games they have left, they still have an outside chance of taking the league title depending on results. Jay Sadler’s side will not be taking this game lightly and will come to MK to prove a point and win the game.
During this season the Dons have hosted an impressive home form, winning 9 out of the 13 games played. But this stat will not affect Portsmouth too much, as away from home they have won 10 of the 16 games they have played.
Sophie Quirk & Emma Jones, have both been impressive this season in front of goal, and both will be hoping for more this weekend.
Hannah Houghton has also been in fine form this season with Portsmouth, as well as her time with England. Winning the ANOC World Beach Games European Qualifiers, as well as her England side finishing second in the Neom Beach games. Just Losing out to Brazil in the Final 5-4.
The England Beach Soccer & Pompey shot stopper has amassed several key performances this season, and her quality in goal has once again helped to create a solid defence that doesn’t concede that many goals. So, getting 3 points could be a tough challenge for the Dons attacking line up.
Hannah Houghton – Portsmouth Women
“I feel this season has gone well for us. This season we had a lot of new players in the team so it was almost like starting again. This year we have played without pressure and focussing in one game at a time, which I think has worked well for us! We have managed to keep a good amount of clean sheets as well score quite a few goals so yeah it’s gone well! It’s been a great season and one I have Absolutely loved! Looking forward to playing at stadium MK again as it’s a such a lush ground and an awesome occasion”.
Last Meeting – 28th August 2022
MK Dons made a positive start but were unable to truly test the Portsmouth goalkeeper. The Dons were then made to pay for their earlier missed opportunities when Emma Jones put the home side ahead on 22 minutes. With their tails up, Pompey showed their cutting edge and Tierney Scott and Sophie Quirk both added to the advantage quickly to give the home side a 3-0 lead going into the break.
A strong start to the second half saw the Dons managed to get a goal back, when Tally Miles found the net two minutes in. However, Portsmouth were able to restore their three-goal advantage through Jones just before the hour.
The Dons, to their credit, kept battling and saw Nicola Puddick and Tricia Gould both denied brilliantly by the Pompey goalkeeper, and the game ended going in the favour of the hosts with a 4-1 score line.
Laura Bright – MK Dons Women “I can’t believe we’re already approaching the end of the season, with our final home game against Portsmouth! And what a game to end our home campaign on; fourth v fifth! Portsmouth have been in the title race throughout the majority of the season, with only a 92nd minute goal from Oxford last week dropping them out of the race for promotion. Like us, their only losses in the last six games have come against sides in the top 3. So we know this will be another huge test for us, and we’re looking forward to testing ourselves against a very strong side”.
“We set ourselves a target of a top five finish this season, and are one win away from securing what would be our highest league finish. Considering the injuries we have contended with this season, to key players – seeing the likes of T Addison, Lucy Wood and Sofia Stovold miss the majority of the campaign, a fifth placed finish would be a great achievement and a huge step forward for the club. Mollie is also in the running to be the league’s leading goal scorer, so shout loudly and give her some encouragement”!
“As this is our final home game, I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported us this season. We cannot tell you how incredible it is to see and hear you all at our games, and the girls love getting to meet our younger fans at games. So for one last time this season, lets hear Stadium MK ring out with ‘Come on you Dons”
Charlie Bill – MK Dons Manager “We have mixed emotions going into the final home game, I can’t wait for what will be a fantastic occasion against a good Portsmouth side. However, it is a season we don’t want to end after all the highs of this year. Playing at the Stadium one more time this season will get this group motivated. With no pressure on us until the end of the season, it is important that we remain focused on the goal ahead to secure that 5th place in the league. We have to take some of the positives from last weekend to be ready to compete with a top four side & hopefully come away with points unlike last weekend”.
Match Information
Stadium MK – MK2 2RS
Kick Off – 2 pm
Tickets – Adults £5 – U18s £3 – Click Here
Podcast: Game On ! MK DONS FC WOMEN Podcast | Podcast on Spotify or Via – Anchor.fm/mkdonsfcwomen(New Episodes every Friday)
Live Commentary – CW Sports Radio from 13:45 pm (GMT) – For more information please visit https://www.cwsportradio.com/
Images: Christopher Foxwell – For more information please visit www.ctfphotography.co.uk/photography
Match Gallery – MK Dons vs Portsmouth 28th August 2022
