Leah Cudone struck twice to help MK Dons Ladies record a convincing 4-0 win over Stevenage Ladies.
Despite not being on the top of their game, the Dons created a narrow lead in the first half after Heather McDonnell converted one of very few chances.
James Honeyman’s side came out in the second half determined to build on their single goal in order to achieve a comfortable win.
Cudone stepped up to grab two goals, with Charly Wright and McDonnell playing excellently in order to carve the opportunities for Cudone to finish.
Hannah Barrett then scored the fourth and final goal for the Dons to ensure that a commanding second-half performance led to an emphatic win being earned.
The Dons started on the front foot from the get go, but Stevenage thwarted any attempt at getting an early goal – while the Dons saw a lot of the ball in the early stages, they were unable to make the most of possession.
Stevenage defended well to force the Dons to play narrow, stopping them from utilising the team’s pace down the wings through Cudone and Sammy Gillings.
Despite this, the Dons were able to gain the lead before half-time when McDonnell pounced on a rare opportunity in the game, to make it 1-0.
Honeyman’s Ladies aimed to utilise the full width of the pitch in the second half, by subbing on Wright to play down the left side of the pitch.
Wright’s appearance allowed the Dons to step it up a gear, with her presence allowing Cudone to find space and she clinically scored two in quick succession which propelled her team into a 3-0 lead.
Louise Naylor and Charley Clarke continued to keep Stevenage Ladies at bay by controlling the midfield while Sasha Newsome also played a part after replacing the former, helping the Dons keep a clean sheet.
In the closing stages, Barrett continued her good goal scoring form in order to round off the Dons’ dominant second half performance, blasting the ball into the net to make it 4-0.
Starting XI: Kirby, Brooks (Wright, 45), Doyle, Holland, Howes, Naylor (Newsome 60), Clarke (c), Barrett, Gillings, Cudone, McDonnell.
Unused Subs: Smith
Goals: McDonnell (35), Cudone (61, 67), Barrett (80)
James Honeyman’s side came out in the second half determined to build on their single goal in order to achieve a comfortable win.
Cudone stepped up to grab two goals, with Charly Wright and McDonnell playing excellently in order to carve the opportunities for Cudone to finish.
Hannah Barrett then scored the fourth and final goal for the Dons to ensure that a commanding second-half performance led to an emphatic win being earned.
The Dons started on the front foot from the get go, but Stevenage thwarted any attempt at getting an early goal – while the Dons saw a lot of the ball in the early stages, they were unable to make the most of possession.
Stevenage defended well to force the Dons to play narrow, stopping them from utilising the team’s pace down the wings through Cudone and Sammy Gillings.
Despite this, the Dons were able to gain the lead before half-time when McDonnell pounced on a rare opportunity in the game, to make it 1-0.
Honeyman’s Ladies aimed to utilise the full width of the pitch in the second half, by subbing on Wright to play down the left side of the pitch.
Wright’s appearance allowed the Dons to step it up a gear, with her presence allowing Cudone to find space and she clinically scored two in quick succession which propelled her team into a 3-0 lead.
Louise Naylor and Charley Clarke continued to keep Stevenage Ladies at bay by controlling the midfield while Sasha Newsome also played a part after replacing the former, helping the Dons keep a clean sheet.
In the closing stages, Barrett continued her good goal scoring form in order to round off the Dons’ dominant second half performance, blasting the ball into the net to make it 4-0.
Starting XI: Kirby, Brooks (Wright, 45), Doyle, Holland, Howes, Naylor (Newsome 60), Clarke (c), Barrett, Gillings, Cudone, McDonnell.
Unused Subs: Smith
Goals: McDonnell (35), Cudone (61, 67), Barrett (80)
