CRYSTAL PALACE LADIES 1
MK DONS LADIES 8

MK Dons Ladies swept aside Crystal Palace with an 8-1 away win on Sunday, moving them into third place in the South East Combination table.

Jo Brandon, Kelly Bingham, Caroline Moran, Lisa Burrows and Kelly Robinson all got on the score-sheet before the break, with Bingham adding another early in the second half. After Palace pegged a goal back from the penalty spot, Lauren Goodier and Mikaela Welford completed the scoring in the final 12 minutes.

There were two changes to the side which won at Ebbsfleet last weekend, with 'keeper Charlene Ward and centre-back Christie Turner both out due to hand injuries. Manager Tony Blake named Amy Walker in goal for her debut, while striker Hannah Barrett was drafted into the role of centre-back between Kate Costin and Robinson in the 3-5-2 formation.

Dons quickly started to dominate the game, Charly Wright and Heather McDonnell causing all sorts of problems down the flanks. It took just nine minutes to open the scoring as Wright's cross from the left was cleared out to Brandon - the young midfielder blasting in a memorable 30-yard drive which the left the 'keeper motionless.

Caroline Moran celebrates her goal with Kelly Bingham.

 

Just 5 minutes later, it was 2-0 after another cross from the left was headed home from 10 yards by Bingham. The previous Sunday, Dons had put five past Ebbsfleet in the opening 26 minutes, and it was looking as though it would be a repeat performance. Dons continued to exploit the space down the left wing and on 16 minutes it was Goodier's turn to cross the ball into the area. Although Bingham's shot was blocked, she regained possession and set up Moran to make it three.

Palace were unable to threaten Walker's goal, although a free-kick from Abi Jackson saw Danielle de Souza shoot wide.

Goal number four arrived on 22 minutes and again it came from a left wing cross as Wright took the ball inside and drilled it across the goalmouth. Goodier just failed to make contact, but Burrows was on hand to shoot past keeper Abi Yeoman.

Lisa Burrows scores the Dons' fourth.

 

The home side decided to make two early substitutions and alter their formation in order to stop the gaps down both flanks, and it seemed to stem the number of chances being created. A neat one-two between Sherelle Walters and substitute Sammy Stewart saw Walters come close, but Dons got another goal in first half stoppage time as the Palace defence failed to clear Wright's corner kick -Robinson poking home from close range.

Within two minutes of the restart, Bingham escaped the Palace defence, latching onto a great ball from Barrett and coolly slotting the ball home to put Dons six up.

Dons keeper Walker had to be alert on 50 minutes to keep out a deflected header, but most of the action remained in the Palace half as Goodier, Wright and Jade Linnell, on to replace Moran, all came close again. Burrows did get the ball in the net midway through the second half, but it was ruled out for offside.

Kelly Robinson celebrates scoring the Dons' fifth.

 

At the other end, Kirsty Mitchell's shot was palmed away by Walker but moments later, the Dons keeper received a yellow card after bringing down Kelly Newbound in the area. Newbound took the spot kick herself, and made no mistake.

The goal seemed to spur Dons forward again in the closing ten minutes, and they replied swiftly with two goals. Goodier ran clear towards goal, and although her initial shot was blocked, she followed up to tap the ball home. Welford replaced Goodier from the bench and immediately added the Dons' eighth, latching onto Burrows pass to beat the 'keeper.

Dons have a weekend away from League action next Sunday, as they play Ipswich Town in the League Cup First Round tie at Newport Pagnell Town FC (2.00pm kick-off).

MK Dons Ladies: Amy Walker, Kelly Robinson, Hannah Barrett, Kate Costin, Charly Wright (Emily Mann 70), Lisa Burrows, Caroline Moran (Jade Linnell 60), Jo Brandon, Heather McDonnell, Lauren Goodier (Mikaela Welford 80), Kelly Bingham. Subs not used: Charlene Ward.

Goals: Jo Brandon 9; Kelly Bingham 14, 47; Caroline Moran 16; Lisa Burrows 22; Kelly Robinson 45+1; Lauren Goodier 79; Mikaela Welford 82.

Referee: Mr M.Cannon (London).

Other Results: Cambridge 6 Braintree Town 0; Enfield Town 3 Ebbsfleet United 0; Lewes 2 Ipswich Town 0; Luton Town 0 Norwich City 4; Old Actonians 0 Tottenham Hotspur 7.