MK Dons Women fall short to Portsmouth, who continue their reign as the current FAWNL Southern Premier Division League leaders.
The two sides faced one another for the second weekend in a row following their FAWNL League Cup clash, which saw Pompey progress as the victors.
This time around, Charlie Bill’s Women took to the road as they faced their hosts at Westleigh Park. Although similarly to last weekend’s result, Portsmouth had left with the spoils.
The Dons suffered an early setback, as within the opening stages of the match the Dons defence was breached in part from a mistake from the ever-reliable Chloe Sansom, Sansom will have a moment to forget as she missed timed her save, and the ball went between the keepers’ legs with only 25 seconds on the clock.
Portsmouth used the early momentum and gained control of the game itself.
Portsmouth had double their lead ten minutes following their opener, after a well work corner routine saw Younger head home. which made the task even more difficult for Dons to climb if they were to match the score-line of the current first place holders.
Although admirable in their efforts to bring themselves back into the match. Efforts from Lucy Wood, Rhianne Rush & Laura Mitchell all tested Portsmouth keeper Hannah Houghton, but once again she was up to the challenge and was able to keep a clean sheet.
The home side had ensured their success with a third goal scored after the interval. With a fine effort at the near post, as Lumsden fired into the ball into the roof of the net for her second gaol of the game
MK Dons Women had seen their biggest league defeat of the season to the hands of top-of-the-table opponents, who continued an impressive eight-game winning streak.
Prior to this game, Charlie Bill’s Women hadn’t yet suffered a defeat by a two-goal deficit or more. Here’s what the Manager had to say following the recent result:
“It made it tough conceding a goal so early on, especially against a side who haven’t conceded at home within the league yet.
“There are some positives to take out of the game, we had 16 shots on goal and done everything but score. But we also gifted them moments where we weren’t good enough – against top sides like Portsmouth they will punish that, they have done for a long while now.
“We set high standard for ourselves, and today we haven’t quite met that. But I know that each individual player, as well as us as staff will all be disappointed with that because we work so hard for one another.”
Finally, Bill commented “Now, it’s about making sure we set it right during the week to go again.”
Dons now turn their focus to this weekend’s FA Cup First round tie with a trip to local rivals Cambridge United on Remembrance Sunday
MK Dons: Sansom (C), Warren, Puddick (Newman 59), Biggadike, Stovold, Mitchell (Attenborough 66), Rush, Wood, Gould (O’Brien 66), Creaney, Wilson (Dolling 45)
Sub not used: Beaver
Portsmouth: Haughton (c); Barrett (Wild 72), Younger (Gane 68), Casley, Collins; Hall, Rowbotham, Lane (Freeland 72); Lumsden, Jones (Pitman 80), Quirk
Sub not used: Humphrey
Images: Christopher Foxwell – For more information please visit www.ctfphotography.co.uk
