Kim Farrow’s second-half strike ensured that MK Dons Ladies picked up all three points against Gillingham Ladies on Sunday afternoon.
The Dons defeated The Gills 1-0 when they hosted them at Stadium MK in their league encounter in order to register their second win of the season.
Farrow struck in the 76th minute of the match after turning home Ellen Martin’s free-kick in what as a positive performance from James Honeyman’s side.
Both sides started the game in determined fashion as the two sides exchanged possession in the early stages, as they both searched for a way to carve out a clear-cut chance.
Gillingham were the first to go close as they broke through on goal in the 13th minute and forced Emma Kirby to come charging out of her goal to close down the angle, before Mollie cleared off the line.
The Dons then enjoyed the majority of possession throughout the early stages. Leah Cudone’s provided a creative outlet, with her dangerous whipped cross a touch away from the back of the net, while, Leah Littlechild had her shot tipped over the crossbar.
From the resulting corner, Laura Bright almost broke the deadlock as she lost her marker but her header was saved and cleared.
Littlechild then proceeded to have a couple more attempts at goal after working hard to make space for herself but her shots went narrowly wide on both occasions.
Farrow then had the best opportunity of the first-half, as she burst through on goal only to see her following effort roll agonisingly wide of the post.
Following the half-time break the game got back underway in a similar fashion to how the game started with both jostling for possession.
The first real chance of the second-half came after some tricky footwork from Leanna Doyle on the wing, this led to a cross being played towards Farrow – her powerful header was well saved.
The next ten minutes of the game saw the Dons have to stand firm at the back as Sammy Booker whipped in a corner kick for The Gills which struck the post. Minutes later, Booker followed that effort up by rattling the crossbar from a free-kick moments later.
However, after surviving that danger, the Dons took the lead through Farrow as she slotted in a free-kick which Martin had lofted into the box.
The Dons then held onto their 1-0 win in the time that remained as they comfortably held onto possession with some sublime passing moves.
Speaking after the game James Honeyman shared his pride in his side’s performance and claimed his side could now build on the positive result.
“I’m really happy with our performance - I felt we deserved to result in the end,” said Honeyman.
“It was important to ensure we are better defensively - we set out to do that and we get opportunities.
“I do feel we need to be more ruthless in front of goal, but that’s the first clean sheet of the season and a win that we can now build off.”
He added, “As each week goes by we look more and more comfortable at this level and with seven points from the last four games - we are really growing week by week.
“We set up a game plan today to frustrate them and that’s exactly what we did and we deserved the win.”
Starting XI: Kirby, Doyle (c) (Wright, 86), Bright, Barrett, Clarke, Farrow, Burgess, Cudone, Hughes, Littlechild (Martin, 73), Newman (Naylor, 79).
Unused Subs: Shults, Stanley
Goal: Farrow (76)
Booked: Doyle (18), Farrow (88).
