MK Dons Women produce late drama to earn a point in their opening FAWNL game of the season against Oxford United.
After the pre-season preparations concluded, Charlie Bill’s Women sought to start strong within the league in the aim to build on the successes of last season.
In the goal to achieve another top-five finish or to yet improve on last year’s standings, the first hurdle provided a test against Oxford United at Stadium MK. A team that placed within the top three of the league table during the previous campaign.
Oxford had capitalised on the home side’s slow start within the first 45 minutes of action, which saw the U’s successful in their strikes on the 14 and 26-minute marks. 0-2
The teams entered the break whilst the Dons suffered a two-goal deficit, but a positive response in the second-half rewarded Charlie Bill’s Women.
Soon after the restart, MK Dons had narrowed the score-line through Laura Mitchell’s headed attempt which flew past the Oxford goalkeeper. 1-2
The hosts sought to build on the momentum gained from the first goal scored in the 2023/24 campaign, and their efforts until the end proved vital to the result.
A few attempts following Mitchell’s goal were denied by the woodwork, but that didn’t dishearten the Stadium MK side.
In the dying moments of the game, MK Dons had found their equaliser in dramatic fashion. A well-delivered free-kick located the back post, which caused panic for the travelling team, who were unable to clear the danger.
This allowed Emily Wilson to punish in the goal-line scramble as her decisive touch found the back of the net to level the score-line in the 90+7 minute of the match. 2-2
This dramatic end to the opening fixture produced a 2-2 score-line and both teams left Stadium MK with the points shared between them.
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MK Dons: Sansom, Puddick, Biggadike (Giddings 79), Beaver, Stovold, Mitchell (Welham 75), Rush, Miles (Samuels 75), Gould, Attenborough, McLean (Wilson 65)
Subs: Samuels
Goals: Mitchell 60, Wilson 90+7
Images captured by CTFPhotography
