Despite a spirited & defensive performance, MK Dons Women exit the Adobe Women’s FA Cup. Two late stoppage time strikes from Birmingham City, as the Fairy tale come to an end as the clock stuck 90+1
Charlie Bill’s women prepare for one of, if not arguably the biggest game in their team’s history as they welcomed Birmingham City Women to Stadium MK for their Adobe Women’s FA Cup Third Round tie.
FIRST HALF
MK Dons Women were put to test early during the Third-Round tie. The visitors had come out of the blocks strong as they looked to dominate the hosts.
Chloe Sansom came to rescue early doors when the captain palmed away a left-footed strike from Jade Pennock, who cut in the from the right side and hit a powerful shot towards goal. Since then, the shot-stopper had seen a period of respite as her backline fulfilled their defensive duties strongly in the opening exchanges of the clash.
The Dons then found a chance themselves on the 14-minute mark, a move down the left of the field involving Rush, Puddick and Mitchell ended with a cross into the opposition’s penalty area. But Amy Mclean was unable to capitalise on this early chance.
Most of the action continued to occur in the Dons half, as Birmingham took control of most of the position, but Charlie Bill’s Women remained resolute in their defensive approach which limited the Blues to very little in front of goal.
But just before half time, Birmingham City had nearly broken the deadlock, and I half that lacked quality. A low corner-kick was met with by Jamie Finn but the shot which followed flashed over Sansom’s crossbar.
Despite being pinned into their final-third the Dons Women didn’t seem threatened whilst facing the forward threat of the Women’s Championship side.
An incredible display defensively saw the game goalless at the half time break.
SECOND HALF
Similarly to the first half of action, Birmingham had pressed the advantage on the Dons defence early. However, the strong-minded players at the back continued to withstand any danger out their way.
With frustration setting in and Birmingham found it hard to open cracks in the defence of the hosts. The Blues started look to taking opportunities from a further distance. Gemma Lawley tested her luck from a long way out, but it made for a comfortable stop by Sansom.
Charlie Bill made his first substation an hour into the match as Tricia Gould entered the field of play in position of Amy McLean.
A chance broke for the Milton Keynes side as substitute Gould tried to race her way between multiple defenders to create a one-on-one shooting opportunity, but as the wining went to strike the ball, Gould slipped and the effort was conformable delt by the Blues defensive line.
A misplaced pass in the final-third of Birmingham’s half opened up a great chance for Rhianne Rush. Unfortunately, the first-hit effort couldn’t be kept under control as it flew high and wide of the mark.
Bill made his second change of the game during the final minutes, as Mitchell was dead on her feet. After suffering with cramp earlier in the half after her fantastic defence work running tirelessly up and down the wing. Lilly Dolling came on for Laura Mitchell for a well-deserved rest, and a chance for Dolling to get stuck in.
Charlie Bill’s Women had to endure a further six minutes of additional time whilst the prospect of extra time seemed more & more likely.
That was until the hearts of MK Dons Women were broken during the first minute of added time. as an effort from close-range crept underneath the Dons’ shot-stopper and into the back of the net.
As the clock struck 90+1 Dons hopes of reaching the 4th round were shattered.
But the squad regrouped and found themselves with the hope of an equaliser, as the home side earned a corner-kick in the final stages of the match. With Samson up at the corner they put everything behind getting the equalising, but it wasn’t to be. Birmingham punished the opening through a swift counter-attacking move that saw the Fuso score with a composed finish from distance as the goal stood empty. 0-2
As the referee blow the final whistle, this year’s fairy tale once again come to an end. For the last two season, the Dons have been so close in beating championship opposition in the FA Cup.
Despite a resilient defensive performance to be proud of, MK Dons Women exit the Adobe Women’s FA Cup competition following two stoppage time strikes from Birmingham City. It only shows that the future of the Dons is bright. As a team they are on the right path, and it will be only a matter of time they make the jump into the championship.
MK Dons: Sansom (C), Warren, Puddick, Biggadike, Stovold, Mitchell (Dolling 88), Rush, Wood, Creaney, Attenborough, McLean (Gould 60)
Subs: Beaver, O.Welham, Samuels, Timon, Jacovides, Gould, O’Brien, Byrom
Birmingham City: Thomas, Harris, Quinn (Allen 45), Lawley, Pennock (Cho 79), Finn (Mason 45), Smith (Devlin 73), Harrison-Murray, Fuso, Lucy-Quinn, Moore (Agg 63)
Subs: Clarke, Banaras, , Yuri
Goals: Cho 90+1, Fuso 90+3
Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 650
Images: Christopher Foxwell – For more information please visit www.ctfphotography.co.uk
