MK Dons were held to a 1-1 draw by Billericay Town in their latest FAWNL Southern Premier Division clash at Stadium MK.
Laura Mitchell’s goal on the stroke of half-time cancelled out a 25th-minute opener from the visiting side, as the Dons were forced to settle for a point in front of the home supporters.
Head Coach Charlie Bill made one change to his starting line-up, with Gemma Biggadike returning in place of Georgie Giddings. Tricia Gould was back amongst the substitute as well while Lucy Wood made her long-awaited return to the matchday squad.
Chloe Sansom was forced into three early saves by the visiting Billericay, who eventually broke the deadlock on 25 minutes when Ruby Sealey’s cross was inadvertently diverted into the net off an MK Dons shirt.
The Dons responded well and went close through Rhianne Rush, whose shot on the half-hour mark flew just wide. Sofia Stovold then had an effort saved before Megan Attenborough saw an 18-yard strike fall wide of the target.
Adekite Fatuga-Dada almost produced a stunning solo goal to equalise on 39 minutes but, after beating several Billericay defenders, she saw two efforts denied – the first by the goalkeeper and the second by the crossbar.
However, Bill’s side did manage to level the scores before the break and it came courtesy of their in-form forward, MITCHELL, who made it five goals in seven games on the stroke of half-time.
Fatuga-Dada’s corner was initially met by the head of Stovold but it was MITCHELL who got the vital touch, turning the ball home from close range to ensure parity at the interval. 1-1.
The second half started in dramatic fashion, with the visitors reduced to 10 players when Madde Biggs was shown a straight red card for violent conduct.
Bill’s side pushed to make their player-advantage count, introducing fresh legs with 20 minutes to play – including handing Lucy Wood her first appearance since December 2022, owing to an injury.
The Dons saw an attempt cleared off the line in the closing stages while Lily Dolling also had a header saved, from Mitchell’s cross, late on.
Dolling and Wood both had efforts in stoppage-time, too, but neither were able to find a way past the Billericay goalkeeper, meaning the Dons were forced to settle for a share of the spoils at Stadium MK.
MK Dons: Sansom, Warren, Puddick, Biggadike, Beaver, Stovold, Mitchell, Rush, Coupar (Dolling 69), Attenborough (Wood 69), Fatuga-Dada (Gould 69).
Subs: Newman, Samuels.
Goal: Mitchell 45
Player of the Match: Rhianne Rush
Images captured by CTFPhotography
