Leah Cudone scored a superb consolation goal for MK Dons Ladies as the Dons slipped to their first defeat of the season, losing 3-1 to Gillingham Ladies.
Despite a dominant second-half performance, the Dons were unable to overturn the three-goal deficit they were faced with after the first half.
Even though the Dons started the game brightly, they found themselves behind just after the five-minute mark when the Gills earned themselves a penalty, which April Bowers calmly converted to give her side an early lead.
The Dons tried to get themselves back on level terms and even though they created a couple of chances for themselves, they were unable to pull a goal back before the Gills struck again.
Some misplaced passes gave the Gills an opportunity to break forward in style, with Amy Taylor taking her chance after getting into the box, doubling the Gills’ advantage just after the 30-minute mark.
It was a quick fire double for the Gills as they didn’t wait long to score a third, with Lauren Williams slotting the ball home to see her side looking comfortable going into the half-time break.
The second half started well for the Dons as they looked to get back in the game, but they were unable to convert the chances they created.
However, the Dons were able to put their second half possession to good use with 16 minutes to go, with Cudone lobbing the keeper from 20 yards out to pull a goal back.
Even though the Dons continued to apply pressure, they were unable to create enough clear cut chances to help them add to their goal tally and suffered their first loss of the season.
Speaking after the game, manager James Honeyman said: “We were naïve in the first half and punished really ruthlessly by a strong Gillingham side. In the second half we played as well as we have throughout pre-season but just didn’t convert the chances like we have been.
“I believe we lost to one of the top teams in this league, but on a different day with a better start it could have been so different.
“These days happen but it is now an important week moving forward to get back to what we need to do and I believe in what we are doing here - this result changes very little.”
Starting XI: Smith, Howes, Gillings, Clarke (c) (Newsome 65), Holland, Naylor, Cudone, Newman (Loftus 45), McDonnell, Wright, Barrett
Unused subs: Brooks
Goal: Cudone (74).
Attendance: 91
Even though the Dons started the game brightly, they found themselves behind just after the five-minute mark when the Gills earned themselves a penalty, which April Bowers calmly converted to give her side an early lead.
The Dons tried to get themselves back on level terms and even though they created a couple of chances for themselves, they were unable to pull a goal back before the Gills struck again.
Some misplaced passes gave the Gills an opportunity to break forward in style, with Amy Taylor taking her chance after getting into the box, doubling the Gills’ advantage just after the 30-minute mark.
It was a quick fire double for the Gills as they didn’t wait long to score a third, with Lauren Williams slotting the ball home to see her side looking comfortable going into the half-time break.
The second half started well for the Dons as they looked to get back in the game, but they were unable to convert the chances they created.
However, the Dons were able to put their second half possession to good use with 16 minutes to go, with Cudone lobbing the keeper from 20 yards out to pull a goal back.
Even though the Dons continued to apply pressure, they were unable to create enough clear cut chances to help them add to their goal tally and suffered their first loss of the season.
Speaking after the game, manager James Honeyman said: “We were naïve in the first half and punished really ruthlessly by a strong Gillingham side. In the second half we played as well as we have throughout pre-season but just didn’t convert the chances like we have been.
“I believe we lost to one of the top teams in this league, but on a different day with a better start it could have been so different.
“These days happen but it is now an important week moving forward to get back to what we need to do and I believe in what we are doing here - this result changes very little.”
Starting XI: Smith, Howes, Gillings, Clarke (c) (Newsome 65), Holland, Naylor, Cudone, Newman (Loftus 45), McDonnell, Wright, Barrett
Unused subs: Brooks
Goal: Cudone (74).
Attendance: 91
