Despite a resilient defensive performance, MK Dons Women exit the Adobe Women’s FA Cup competition following two stoppage time strikes from Women’s Super League 2 side Birmingham City.
Charlie Bill’s women prepare for one of, if not the biggest game in their team’s history as they welcomed Birmingham City Women to Stadium MK for their Adobe Women’s FA Cup Third Round tie.
FIRST HALF
MK Dons Women were put to test early during the Third-Round tie. The visitors had come out of the blocks strong to size-up the defensive prowess of Charlie Bill’s team.
Chloe Sansom came to rescue early doors when the Captain palmed away a left-footed strike from the right apex of the six-yard box. Since then, the shot-stopper had seen a period of respite as her backline fulfilled their defensive duties strongly in the opening exchanges of the clash.
The Dons then found a chance themselves on the 14-minute mark, a move down the left of the field involving Rush, Puddick and Mitchell ended with a cross into the opposition’s penalty area. Yet, no white shirts were around to meet with the pinpoint delivery.
Most of the action continued to occur in the home side’s half, but Charlie Bill’s Women remained resilient in their defensive approach which limited the Blues to very little in front of goal.
After their tireless efforts, Birmingham City had nearly broken the deadlock minutes before the interval. A low corner-kick was met with by a blue shirt, but the shot which followed flashed over Sansom’s crossbar.
Despite being pinned into their final-third the Dons Women didn’t seem threatened whilst facing the forward threat of the Women’s Super League 2 side.
An incredible display defensively saw the game goalless at the half time break.
SECOND HALF
Similarly to the first half of action, Birmingham had pressed the advantage on the Dons defence early. However, the strong-minded players at the back continued to withstand any danger out their way.
The frustration to open up cracks in the defence of the hosts seemed to force the Blues into taking opportunities from a further distance. A midfielder for the travelling team tested her luck from a long way out, but it made for a comfortable stop by Sansom.
Charlie Bill made his first substation an hour into the match as Tricia Gould entered the field of play in position of Amy McLean.
A curled shot from the edge of the area almost saw Birmingham take the lead – the effort whistled past the right post as everyone on the pitch was rooted to the spot whilst the ball flew wide to the delight of the Dons, but to the dismay of the Blues.
A chance broke for the Milton Keynes side as substitute Gould tried to race her way between multiple defenders to create a one-on-one shooting opportunity, but the range of yards between the forward and the goal made it near-impossible to get the better of her markers.
A misplaced pass in the final-third of Birmingham’s half opened up a chance for MK Dons number eight, Rhianne Rush. Unfortunately, the first-hit effort couldn’t be kept under control as it flew high and wide of the mark.
Bill made his second change of the game during the final minutes of tie as Lilly Dolling came on for Laura Mitchell.
Charlie Bill’s Women had to endure a further six minutes of additional time whilst the prospect of a replay seemed ever-more possible.
That was until the hearts of MK Dons Women were broken during the first minute of added time. as an effort from close-range crept underneath the Dons’ shot-stopper and into the back of the net. 0-1
The hope of an equaliser loomed as the home side earned a corner-kick in the final stages of the match. However, whilst they put everything behind the equalising chance – Birmingham punished the opening through a counter-attacking move that saw the Blues’ second of the game. 0-2
Despite a resilient defensive performance to be proud of, MK Dons Women exit the Adobe Women’s FA Cup competition following two stoppage time strikes from Birmingham City.
***
MK Dons: Sansom (C), Warren, Puddick, Biggadike, Stovold, Mitchell (Dolling 88), Rush, Wood, Creaney, Attenborough, McLean (Gould 60)
Subs: Beaver, O.Welham, Samuels, Timon, Jacovides, Gould, O’Brien, Byrom
Birmingham City: Thomas, Harris, Quinn (Allen 45), Lawley, Pennock (Cho 79), Finn (Mason 45), Smith (Devlin 73), Harrison-Murray, Fuso, Lucy-Quinn, Moore (Agg 63)
Subs: Clarke, Banaras, , Yuri
Goals: Cho 90+1, Fuso 90+3
Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 650
