MK Dons Women booked their place in the Second Round of the FAWNL Cup after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Cambridge City at Stadium MK.
The Dons, who beat Keynsham Town 7-1 in the opening round before earning a bye, scored a stoppage-time penalty to secure victory, after their first-half opener had been cancelled out by a late spot kick from the visitors.
Inside the first 11 minutes, Laura Mills and Chez Albert both went close to breaking the deadlock for the Dons, who then survived a Cambridge flurry during which time Zoe Boote was forced into a goal-line clearance.
It was Bill’s team who would find the opening goal, though, and it arrived with less than 10 minutes to play until half-time - Tricia Gould, the scorer, winning the ball deep in Cambridge territory before smashing a shot past the goalkeeper. 1-0.
Marianne Taho fired over 20 minutes into the second half as the Dons searched for a second goal to put the tie beyond doubt. Chloe Sansom then produced a stunning save to keep the lead intact as the game entered its closing stages.
Bill’s side looked to have seen off their opponents but in the first minute of stoppage time, they were awarded a penalty, which was duly converted to level the scores. 1-1.
The Dons, though, weren’t to be denied and with four minutes of added time played, Hannah Barrett drew a foul inside the penalty area, which provided Nicole Pepper with the opportunity to win it.
Pepper, who had yet to score this season going into Sunday’s game, kept her composure from 12 yards and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to secure a dramatic Cup success for her side and book their place in the Fourth Round. 2-1.
MK Dons: Sansom, Boote (Warren 66), Bright, Albert (Newsome 88), Pepper, Stovold, Taho (Barrett 66), Gould (McLean 54), Mills, Newman, Newman-Booth (Tyrell 77).
Subs: None
Goals: Gould (36), Pepper (90+4 pen)
