MK Dons Women end Hashtag seven-game unbeaten with a fine 2-1 win on the road.
MK Dons women victory on the road saw the Dons Women return to winning ways in the league and ending Hashtag United unbeaten start to the season by two goals to one.
Prior to the nail-biting affair, Charlie Bill’s Women had not seen much success vs the top sides within the league. But for his side’s hard endeavours, yet fortune was on the Dons side on their trip to Aveley.
FIRST-HALF
Hashtag opened the scoring thanks to a spot kick from Grace Gillard. Gillard stepped up to convert a spot-kick sending Samson the wrong way.
The home side started the fixture with confidence which reflected within their display on the field, much like any team who had recently acquired a seven-game unbeaten streak. They applied a hight intensity press that the Dons struggled to deal with at the start.
Although the dons suffered an early hit, they were still able to get back into the game and turn the score-line around.
Dons did exactly that, and responded brilliantly to their setback, and on the 30-minute mark through Emily Wilson who found the back of the net with a fantastic long-range header. After a great move down the left Mollie Coupar found opportunity for a cross into the box, Coupar located the head of Wilson, whose bullet-header left Hashtag’s ‘keeper no chance of stopping it.
The game was brought level, which remained unchanged as the match had reached the conclusion of the first half.
SECOND-HALF
We don’t normally get nervous at a football match. But you could feel the tension around the ground after the break. The host once again tried to dominate the game, and Tags continued force the issue, showing their intent brining on Sammy Rowland at half time. Some might say it was a risky call from the Hashtag Manager especially when the forward had already run the Royal Parks Half Marathon that morning.
But this was to backfire on the host, as Rowland give away a free kick outside of the area due to a high boot, and MK Dons Women were able to capitalise on this error and punished the host thanks to a wonderful free kick from Laura Mitchell.
An indirect free-kick was awarded to the travelling team, who used the set-piece to their advantage. The ball was rolled across to Laura Mitchell on the edge of the box, and the Dons’ top goal-scorer within fired the ball into the top corner. The Hashtag keeper had no chance of saving the shot. 2-1
Charlie Bill’s side to erupt in celebration as the objective to disrupt Hashtag’s successive six-game league winning streak seemed ever-more possible.
However, with 35 minutes of the match still yet to play.
The hosts continued to get frustrated as each of their advances were spurned by a determined Dons defence, who stood strong against every attack that came their way. Wave after wave of balls were kicked into the channels as the host looked to turn the Dons defence. But Hannah Warren & Nicola Puddick with their pace was able to deal with host quick forwards. Zoe Creaney put in a mammoth shift at the back dealing with and winning many of her areal duel’s .
A resolute defensive display was carried out until the final whistle of the game, which confirmed MK Dons Women’s 2-1 victory against Hashtag United ending the host unbeaten run to life in tier 3.
MK Dons:Sansom (C), Warren, Puddick, Biggadike, Stovold, Mitchell (Dolling 66), Rush, Coupar, Gould (Newman 87), Creaney, Wilson (Fatuga-Dada 54)
Subs: Wood, Samuels
Goals: Wilson 12, Mitchell 50
Hashtag United: Angel, Miles ,Gillard (c), Lumley, West, Williams, Baker, Nicholls, Samways, Apindia, Fordjour
Subs: Kelly, Rowland, Lancaster, Garwood, Cresswell
Images: Christopher Foxwell – For more information please visit www.ctfphotography.co.uk
Match Images –
