MK Dons Ladies continued their unbeaten run recently with victories over Luton Town and Loughborough Foxes – read the reports below.
Luton Town Ladies 0-1 MK Dons Ladies
Two changes were made from the team that drew 2-2 with Ipswich Town the previous weekend, with Tor Caldwell replacing Emma Kirby in goal and Heather McDonnell replacing Chloe Smith as striker.
The Dons started brightly and took an early lead when Heather McDonnell played a great ball into the path of Lauren Goodier, who coolly slotted into the back of the net.
The Ladies continued their positive start, playing attractive passing football and creating a number of chances but they couldn’t find a second.
Luton started the second half the stronger of the two teams and they put the visitors on the back foot, but the Dons defence but contained their attacks well.
The hosts continued to push for the equaliser and they would have been level if it wasn’t for Caldwell’s fantastic diving save.
Chloe Smith was brought on for Goodier and her energy and pace was causing problems for the Luton defence; her direct running almost doubling the lead but the Luton keeper was up to the challenge.
Dons kept their cool and battled until the end, resulting in a 1-0 win to keep their unbeaten run going.
MK Dons: Tor Caldwell, Kara Howes, Claire Hollingsworth, Leanna Doyle, Louise Naylor, Lauren Goodier(Chloe Smith), Hannah Barrett, Lisa Nixon, Kelly Bingham, Heather McDonnell (Molly Colbett), Leah Cudone.
Loughborough Ladies 0-2 MK Dons Ladies
Three changes were made from the side that beat Luton with Emma Kirby replacing Tor Caldwell in goal due to injury, Christie Turner came in at right-back for Louise Naylor and, after her impact as a substitute last week, Chloe Smith got the nod as striker.
The Dons struggled to get into the game and the early chances went the way of Loughborough, however, they couldn’t find the finish to take the lead, with Kirby in top form between the sticks.
The visitors looked a shadow of the team that took all three points at Luton and continued to struggle - they were more than fortunate to go in at half-time with the game goalless.
Manager Tony O’Neill changed the formation at half time and replaced Turner with Charly Wright, who was making her return from injury.
The shift in formation helped the Dons find their feet in the game and their early second-half pressure led to them taking the lead. A corner swung in by Lauren Goodier was met perfectly by Hannah Barrett to put the Dons in front.
Heather McDonell doubled the advantage, comfortably beating her marker before slotting past the keeper into the bottom corner.
The Ladies worked hard to keep the lead and were rewarded with a 2-0 success in the League Shield.
MK Dons: Emma Kirby, Christie Turner (Charly Wright 45), Leanna Doyle, Claire Hollingsworth, KaraHowes, Kelly Bingham, Hannah Barrett, Heather McDonnell, Lauren Goodier, Chloe Smith, Leah Cudone.
Two changes were made from the team that drew 2-2 with Ipswich Town the previous weekend, with Tor Caldwell replacing Emma Kirby in goal and Heather McDonnell replacing Chloe Smith as striker.
The Dons started brightly and took an early lead when Heather McDonnell played a great ball into the path of Lauren Goodier, who coolly slotted into the back of the net.
The Ladies continued their positive start, playing attractive passing football and creating a number of chances but they couldn’t find a second.
Luton started the second half the stronger of the two teams and they put the visitors on the back foot, but the Dons defence but contained their attacks well.
The hosts continued to push for the equaliser and they would have been level if it wasn’t for Caldwell’s fantastic diving save.
Chloe Smith was brought on for Goodier and her energy and pace was causing problems for the Luton defence; her direct running almost doubling the lead but the Luton keeper was up to the challenge.
Dons kept their cool and battled until the end, resulting in a 1-0 win to keep their unbeaten run going.
MK Dons: Tor Caldwell, Kara Howes, Claire Hollingsworth, Leanna Doyle, Louise Naylor, Lauren Goodier(Chloe Smith), Hannah Barrett, Lisa Nixon, Kelly Bingham, Heather McDonnell (Molly Colbett), Leah Cudone.
Loughborough Ladies 0-2 MK Dons Ladies
Three changes were made from the side that beat Luton with Emma Kirby replacing Tor Caldwell in goal due to injury, Christie Turner came in at right-back for Louise Naylor and, after her impact as a substitute last week, Chloe Smith got the nod as striker.
The Dons struggled to get into the game and the early chances went the way of Loughborough, however, they couldn’t find the finish to take the lead, with Kirby in top form between the sticks.
The visitors looked a shadow of the team that took all three points at Luton and continued to struggle - they were more than fortunate to go in at half-time with the game goalless.
Manager Tony O’Neill changed the formation at half time and replaced Turner with Charly Wright, who was making her return from injury.
The shift in formation helped the Dons find their feet in the game and their early second-half pressure led to them taking the lead. A corner swung in by Lauren Goodier was met perfectly by Hannah Barrett to put the Dons in front.
Heather McDonell doubled the advantage, comfortably beating her marker before slotting past the keeper into the bottom corner.
The Ladies worked hard to keep the lead and were rewarded with a 2-0 success in the League Shield.
MK Dons: Emma Kirby, Christie Turner (Charly Wright 45), Leanna Doyle, Claire Hollingsworth, KaraHowes, Kelly Bingham, Hannah Barrett, Heather McDonnell, Lauren Goodier, Chloe Smith, Leah Cudone.
