MK Dons are crowned champions after a 3-0 win over Abingdon United in the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup Final. Two goals from player of the match Laura Mitchell and Mollie Coupar saw the Dons lift the trophy at the end of 90mins.
The Meadow’s in Chesham welcomed both teams on Sunday afternoon. A sense of excitement and enthusiasm could be felt around the ground, as both teams arrived in high spirits ahead of the game. Both sets of fans were in fine voices as the game started helping to even fuel the atmosphere even further.
Abingdon who had reached their first ever County Cup Final looked to cause an upset vs MK Dons. A lot of credit should be given to Abingdon as they made it difficult vs a team that was two divisions higher than them. It is clear after that performance why they have won the league that they are in, and they should take yesterday’s performance with a lot of positives as they make the step up into the FAWNL next season. Even manager Charlie Bill after the game acknowledge that his side in the first half were not at their best, but as the second half of the game carried on you could see that the Dons started to play at the intensity that Charlie Bill demanded from the onset. Abingdon made it difficult for the Dons to play the football they wanted, and credit should be given.
Dons went ahead in the 22nd minute thanks to Laura Mitchell who capitalised on a shot that was saved from an effort from Puddick.
Mitchell had a final to remember as she walked away with 2 goals & an assist, and the personal accolade of being the best player on the pitch. Mitchell’s second goal of the day came in the 77th minute after scoring a header from a Tally Miles corner.
Currently playing in her first season with the Dons, and to show up in a cup final and put in a great individual performance should give her some great confidence for the rest of the season and moving forward.
But it was inevitable that once again we speak about Mollie Coupar, Coupar once again found the back of the net in the 87th minute, as Mitchell played in Coupar, and she did the rest slotting the ball passed the Abingdon keeper as the on looking defender tried to stop the effort.
Taking her tally up to 23 goals in 24 games. Showing that she has put away last season’s injury behind her and has been a great asset for the Dons this season. The Dons will hope that they can keep their prized striker, as Championships or even WSL sides could be interested in the Dons number 10 next season.
Cue the celebrations as the referee blew the final whistle. The players and staff as well as the fans all joined in with the celebrations at the end of the game.
MK Dons – Sansom (C), Warren, Puddick (Bennett 84), Biggadike, Nixon, Miles, Gould (Rush 62), Coupar, Mitchell, Newman, Samuels (Davies 89)
Subs Unused – Guy (GK)
Abingdon United – Cox, Crawford, Hawtin, Chivers, Osborne-Ricketts, Deeley, Pipe, Boxall (C), May, Pinker, Lygo
Subs – Hastings, Chapman, Hume, Wright, Kirby
Attendance – 176
Images: – Christopher Foxwell – For more information please visit www.ctfphotography.co.uk/photography
