MK Dons Women were eliminated from the quarter-final of the FAWNL Cup following a 5-1 defeat to Watford.
Charlie Bill’s side prepared to face a full-time outfit within the last eight teams that remained within the cup competition. Unfortunately, the opposition ensured themselves a comfortable victory, however, the fighting spirit of the Dons made it uneasy for the Hornets in the opening stages of the second half.
This result means that MK Dons are now eliminated from the FAWNL Cup, although Charlie Bill’s Women still set their sights on silverware as they remain within the final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Women Cup tournament.
FIRST HALF
The game began at Grosvenor Vale and the home side took an early lead through Baptiste, seven minutes after the first whistle was blown 1-0
After concocting an early advantage, the hosts held their 1-0 score-line until it looked as if that were to double in the 24 minute. Their second attempt at goal was foiled by a heroic save from Chloe Sansom.
However, Watford cancelled out Sansom’s save 13 minutes on from their second opportunity. The opposition’s captain Ward was the player to net the second of the match before the break. 2-0
The travelling team faced a two-goal deficit as they returned to the changing rooms for half time.
SECOND HALF
Charlie Bill’s team talk seemed to prove effective as ten minutes following the interval, Laura Mitchell halved MK Dons’ disadvantage. Mitchell, who increased her tally to five for the season, connected with Mollie Coupar’s cross to loop the ball over the Hornet’s goalkeeper and into the back of the net. 2-1
The celebrations, however, lasted merely minutes as the hosts responded swiftly to their setback through Ward, who bagged her brace. 3-1
MK Dons continued to fight in the hope to sustain their place within the FAWNL Cup. The travelling team improved their defence and held their opposition at bay for 23 minutes, only to be heartbroken by Watford, who netted their fourth on the 80-minute mark. 4-1
Moments before the conclusion of the tie, the Hornets increased the score-line to 5-1 and secured their place in the semi-final of the tournament.
MK Dons Women’s run in the FAWNL Cup competition had come to an end, However, this setback will hardly distract them from their County Cup final, as well as the remainder of their 2022/23 campaign.
***
MK Dons: Sansom, Warren, Puddick, Biggadike, Nixon, Pepper, Miles, Mitchell (Gould 73), McLean (Coupar 45), Bennett (Wilson 67), Samuels (Hughes 80)
Goals: Mitchell 55
Watford: Goldsmid, Meiwald, Baptiste, Davison, Ward, Georgiou, Chandler, Wilson, Palisch (Rossiter 59), Bradley, Peart
Subs: Goldsmid, Gibson, Wallace
Goals: Baptiste 7, Ward 37 57, Head 80, Rossiter 90
Images captured by CTFPhotography
