Debutant Kerry Newman grabbed MK Dons Ladies’ first goal of the new season as they got their season off to the perfect start with a 3-0 win at Denham United Ladies.
Newman fired the Dons into the lead early in the second half and they never looked back after that, with Charly Wright and Leah Cudone both grabbing goals to make the win comfortable.
The first half saw the Dons battle it out with Denham Ladies to try and gain control of the game, with the Dons winning the battle for possession.
The Dons tried to make their possession count early on and a corner fell to Leanna Doyle, who then laid the ball off to Wright but she smashed the ball narrowly over the bar.
Denham Ladies continued to make the Dons work hard by pressing high up the pitch, however, chances continued to fall in the Dons’ favour.
With 10 minutes of the second half left to play, Cudone managed to end up in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, after Wright played a beautiful through-ball to her, but the Denham goalkeeper was able to push her effort wide of the post.
After having the wind work against them in the first half, the Dons started the second half much more brightly with the team using the full width of the pitch in order to search for a breakthrough.
It didn’t take long for it to come as, on 50 minutes, Cudone won the ball off Denham’s full-back before bursting down the wing, beating her player and crossing the ball into the box for Newman to tap it in at the back post.
After grabbing the lead, the Dons didn’t take long to double their advantage with Newman turning creator and crossing the ball to Wright, who then proceeded to take a neat touch before striking the ball into the back of the net.
The third and final goal for the Dons, which secured all three points and rewarded a commanding second-half performance, came after Sophie Watson made an instant impact after coming on as a substitute. Watson whipped the ball into the box for Cudone to grab a goal to go with her earlier assist, as she bundled the ball over the line.
The Dons finished the game in complete control and now sit top of the South East Division 1 after the first league game of the season.
Starting XI: Kirby, Howes (Brittain 80), Gillings, Clarke (c), Doyle, Naylor, Newman (Duffy 85), McDonnell, Cudone, Vass (Watson 65), Wright.
Unused subs: Newsome, Smith.
Goals: Newman (50), Wright (57), Cudone (66).
Attendance: 85
The first half saw the Dons battle it out with Denham Ladies to try and gain control of the game, with the Dons winning the battle for possession.
The Dons tried to make their possession count early on and a corner fell to Leanna Doyle, who then laid the ball off to Wright but she smashed the ball narrowly over the bar.
Denham Ladies continued to make the Dons work hard by pressing high up the pitch, however, chances continued to fall in the Dons’ favour.
With 10 minutes of the second half left to play, Cudone managed to end up in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, after Wright played a beautiful through-ball to her, but the Denham goalkeeper was able to push her effort wide of the post.
After having the wind work against them in the first half, the Dons started the second half much more brightly with the team using the full width of the pitch in order to search for a breakthrough.
It didn’t take long for it to come as, on 50 minutes, Cudone won the ball off Denham’s full-back before bursting down the wing, beating her player and crossing the ball into the box for Newman to tap it in at the back post.
After grabbing the lead, the Dons didn’t take long to double their advantage with Newman turning creator and crossing the ball to Wright, who then proceeded to take a neat touch before striking the ball into the back of the net.
The third and final goal for the Dons, which secured all three points and rewarded a commanding second-half performance, came after Sophie Watson made an instant impact after coming on as a substitute. Watson whipped the ball into the box for Cudone to grab a goal to go with her earlier assist, as she bundled the ball over the line.
The Dons finished the game in complete control and now sit top of the South East Division 1 after the first league game of the season.
Starting XI: Kirby, Howes (Brittain 80), Gillings, Clarke (c), Doyle, Naylor, Newman (Duffy 85), McDonnell, Cudone, Vass (Watson 65), Wright.
Unused subs: Newsome, Smith.
Goals: Newman (50), Wright (57), Cudone (66).
Attendance: 85
