Lelya O’Brien steals the show at Stadium MK on the eve of her call up to the U19 Lionesses Squad for their upcoming Euro Qualifiers.
Lelya O’Brien first full start as an MK Dons player saw the impressive young talent dominate with a high-class performance. Lelya who is currently on a dual registration from Arsenal made in immediate impact in setting up three of the four goals scored at Stadium
MK for the Dons. Seeing her take the well-deserved accolade of the game’s best player, as voted by the fans who attended Stadium MK.
MK looked to bounce back after the painful defeat to Watford last week, and the game started perfectly for the hosts. Lelya O’Brien managed to run in behind of the Bridgwater defence and crossed a ball for Dons leading goal scorer Mollie Coupar, and Mollie did what she has been doing all season and found the back of the net. The Dons were on their way with 3 minutes played, putting to bed any negativity around the ground, as well as their own negative thoughts from last week. 1-0
After great work from Nicola Puddick, she was able to force a corner from the Bridgewater defence, and up popped Lelya O’Brien to take the set piece, whipping a dangerous in swinging corner from the left-hand side. As the Bridgwater keeper went to claim the ball she dropped the ball, and it was lose in the area. Tricia Gould was the quickest to react and knocked the ball into the back of the net as she laid on the floor, along with the stricken Bridgwater keeper.
Looking at the incident, one of her teammates made contacted her the back of her head. Causing her to be substituted with concussion after receiving lengthy treatment from the medical staff. 2-0
Deep into first half stoppage time Bridgewater were able to get a goal back. From a swift counterattack the Dons switched off and were punished as Ellie Sara slotted the ball home. As she looked to give Bridgwater some hope at halftime. 2-1 HT.
The Second half started evenly, neither side really had any major chances between them until the 71st minute. Lelya O’Brien once again provided the spark for the Dons. Winning the ball high up in the attacking half. Lelya was able to beat her defender in a 1v1 and provided a pinpoint cross once again for Coupar. This goal itself turns out to be a historic and a significant milestone for the Dons striker, as the goal now sees her hold the record for most goals scored in a season for any Dons player including the Men’s first team, beating the record set by Izale McLeod who scored 24 goals in all competitions during the 2006/07 season. 3-1
Laura Mitchell rounded off the goals for the Dons scoring the 4th with a cool and collective finished inside the penalty area, after she was found from a cross from Hannah Samuels. The Dons saw out the remaining of the game in relative ease as Bridgwater were truly beaten. 4-1
MK Dons: Sansom (C), Warren, Puddick (Davies 59), Biggadike, Rush (Nixon 61), Miles, Gould (Mitchell 72), Coupar, Samuels, Wilson(Giddings 61), O’Brien (Barratt 72)
Goals: Coupar 3, 71, Gould 22, Mitchell 77
Bridgewater United: Mitchell (Garratt 30), Buxton, Llewellyn, Sheppard, Asker, Bell, Banfield, Barry, Bishop, Everson, Sara
Goals: Sara 45+5
Attendance – 315
Images: Christopher Foxwell. www.ctfphotography.co.uk/photography
