MK Dons Women produce late drama which ensured three points in their first Stadium MK game of the season.
Both teams battled hard in search of the opener, however, the two sets of defence seemed difficult to beat, with few chances being created at either end of the field.
The referee had signalled for half-time, Sansom had very little work to do, but the number one remained focused throughout, nothing separated the sides going into the break.
Although Charlie Bill’s Women had crafted a few chances prior, it was Coupar, MK Dons Women’s first ever Player of The Match to break the deadlock within ten minutes after the interval, which granted the Dons a 1-0 lead. The corner was lofted into the Cheltenham box and landed at the boot of Sofia Stovold, who fired a shot toward goal. The striker made sure to get a vital touch on the ball, which guaranteed its path into the back of the net.
20 minutes after the opener, the Robin’s equalised. Another goal which was created on the end of a corner-kick, the in-swinging ball fell into multiple bodies before a red shirt latched onto the opportunity. The game was level again and the clock was ticking down.
Much like the first-half, neither team wanted to concede, and a strong defensive display was on show. Cheltenham were gifted a chance in the latter stages of the game, but the Robin’s striker’s attempt drifted wide. Six minutes of extra time was added.
It seemed as if the match would conclude a 1-1 draw, that was until MK Dons were awarded a late corner. A last attempt to grab three points in the dying stages of the match and the Dons grasped that opportunity in spectacular fashion.
The corner had fallen into Tricia Gould, who was located outside the area on the left side. The number 14 took one glance up at the net before she used her left-boot to curl the ball up and over the Cheltenham keeper, who was unable to prevent the strike from bulging the side netting.
MK Dons’ late drama awarded them with three points, as well as an opening home game victory.
MK Dons: Sansom, Warren, Puddick, Stovold, Nixon (Miceli), Rush (Biggadike 60), Pepper, Wood, Miles, Coupar, Mitchell (Gould 60)
Subs: Samuels
Goals: Coupar 52, Gould 90+6
Cheltenham: Watson, Jones, Taylor, Collis (Newns 77), Grove (Congrave 70), Wathan, Butcher, Beck-Esson (Finch 66), Owen, Ligget, Asker (Fallon 66)
Subs: Hannam,
Goals: Wathan 70
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Photos captured by CTFPhotography
