Kim Farrow made a remarkable start to life at MK Dons Ladies as she scored the only goal of the game to help her side defeat AFC Wimbledon on Sunday.
Farrow was making her Dons debut in Sunday’s game after joining from Luton Town Ladies on Friday.
Manager James Honeyman opted to instantly name his new signing in the starting line-up and his decision proved to be the right one, when she headed home Heather McDonnell’s cross in the 52nd minute.
The goal proved to be enough to earn the Dons the victory and moved them to within 15 points of current league leaders AFC Wimbledon, with five games in hand.
After a delay to kick-off, the Dons made a fast start to the game by quickly passing the ball amongst their team.
The Dons’ fast passes nearly paid off as Leanna Doyle found Vicky Holland in space on the right flank, but the defender was quickly closed down and her attempted cross was blocked.
AFC Wimbledon responded by going on the attack as Katie Stanley nearly found herself with a shooting opportunity in the box, but Sasha Newsome acted quickly to clear the danger.
The two sides then settled down as they both searched for a way to control possession.
Farrow kept finding herself with half-chances to have a shot on goal, however AFC Wimbledon defended well to deny her any opportunity.
Stanley then tested Sophie Shults in the Dons goal by firing a shot from 25-yards-out, but the young goalkeeper was easily able to save the effort.
After the battle for the ball in midfield continued to be intense, Farrow had the Dons’ best chance of the first-half as she used McDonnell’s run on goal to distract AFC Wimbledon’s defence. Farrow’s resulting shot after creating space went flying just over the bar.
AFC Wimbledon proceeded to have a few chances before the end of the first-half but the Dons’ defence stood strong to see the score be 0-0 at the break.
The Dons scored early in the second-half as they launched a counter-attack through McDonnell. The winger burst down the left-wing before expertly crossing the ball into the box for Farrow to run onto and head home. 1-0.
Honeyman’s side continued to press after taking the lead, and Leah Cudone, who was also signed on Friday, came on to kick-start her second spell at the club.
AFC Wimbledon pushed for an equaliser which saw the game played at a high tempo.
Hannah Searle had an opportunity on goal which Shults comfortably saved, and Cudone then had a chance to double the Dons’ lead but her shot was also dealt with.
Before the game ended, AFC Wimbledon had several half-chances that the Dons had to defend well to stop. However the Don,s who defended as a team in the final portion of the game, successfully kept their opponents at bay in order to win the game 1-0.
“Absolutely buzzing,” stated Honeyman when asked how he felt about Sunday’s match.
“By no means the best football either team will play but a dedicated, committed and resilient performance got the result we fully deserved.
“Only eight more cup finals to go.”
Starting XI: Shults, Doyle (C), Naylor, Newsome, Holland, Clarke, Hughes, Wright, Loftus (Mallett 67), McDonnell (Cudone 59), Farrow (Mills 77).
Unused subs: Boote, Burgess.
Goal: Farrow (52)
Booked: Clarke, Cudone
