A big match for both sides currently 2 of 3 sides looking to secure a 2nd place finish in the league after unbeaten Gillingham FC Ladies secured the title and with it promotion back to the FAWPL Southern Division after a 2 season absence.
Both Milton Keynes Dons Ladies and Cambridge United WFC have been in and around the top 4 all season, Cambridge United WFC leading for a good portion of the early season before a run in the FA Women's Cup allowed Gillingham to catch up their games in hand and over haul everyone without defeat.
Into May the season drawing to a close two matches left to play for both sides in the league, Milton Keynes Dons Ladies came back from a goal down away to Enfield Town Ladies to win 2-1 the 3 points taking them 2 points clear in 2nd place with games home and away to Cambridge United WFC left. A special occasion for the club getting the opportunity to play at the Stadium MK an impressive venue that of course has hosted the Lionesses recently. Great for the players fans and staff from both clubs to showcase the women's game and it has been really encouraging to see so many women's sides getting the opportunity to play at their clubs main stadium this season.
2 successive defeats have put a dent in Cambridge United WFC's own ambitions going well early in the season their cup run allowing others to catch up. Defeat away to Luton Town Ladies and then a 2-1 loss to Gillingham FC Ladies on Sunday sees them in 4th with these 2 games against Milton Keynes Dons to play a defeat and they can't finish 2nd. A win or draw will take the contest for 2nd to the final day. Cambridge United WFC have also had another great opportunity to play at The Abbey Stadium home of Cambridge United FC this season beating Ipswich Town Ladies.
The Stadium MK is a lovely stadium to showcase the game, a modern well laid out venue a few roundabouts to negotiate well sign posted however with plenty of parking outside the ground. Free entry on the night. A large pitch in great condition the lower tier on one side behind the dugouts open to fans several coming in. An all seater stadium comfortable wide padded seats. A mild evening dry great for a game of football.
Milton Keynes Dons Ladies starting XI - Savannah Smith, Louise Naylor, Sam Gillings, Leanne Doyle, Vicky Holland, Charley Clarke, Amelia Hazard, Tayla Duffy, Heather McDonnell, Anna Loftus & Hannah Barrett.
subs - Kara Howes, Charly Wright, Kerry Newman, Amy Gooderham & Lauren Goodier
Cambridge United WFC starting XI - Liz Pamplin, Emma Jenkins, Carrie Bennett, Laura Bright (C), Kayleigh-Anne Burt, Paige Logie, Ashleigh Deacon, Laura Mills, Evie Gallop, Sarah Wiltshire & Nicole Perschky.
subs - Laura Baker, Carolyn Sarafian, Gabrielle Whitehurst & Lauren Gibson
An injury blow for Cambridge with Becky Taylor out having damaged her knee ligaments at the weekend against Gillingham. Liz Pamplin deputising in goal with 1st choice keeper Verity Crook absent. Sarah Wiltshire dual signed to Cambridge from Yeovil during the Spring Series available tonight. It's Milton Keynes to get the game underway wearing an all red kit. Cambridge wearing amber shirts and socks with black shorts.
Cambridge win the ball in the middle of the park play spread out to the right wing Laura Mills looking to drive on is tackled Milton Keynes bring the ball forwards Sam Gillings up the left plays the ball up into the box headed away by Cambridge captain Laura Bright out to the right fired back in towards the top of the area Hannah Barrett knocks in on for Tayla Duffy left of goal shoots putting the ball narrowly wide across the face of goal.
A good start from Milton Keynes keeping possession of the ball inside the Cambridge half, Loftus taking players on with a powerful run through the middle into the area, the ball won before she can line up a shot cleared out to the right. Leanna Doyle brings the ball forwards from the back for Milton Keynes on the right lays the ball inside into Loftus in the middle who drives forwards with the ball again determined to get into the box, is closed down by Bright the ball won, played forwards into Evie Gallop on the left side getting forwards wins Cambridge their 1st corner of the game, played into the centre of the six yard box goalkeeper Savannah Smith claims without challenge.
Emma Jenkins on the right for Cambridge get onto the end of Smith's kick out from the back pushes forwards before letting fly from distance, might have been going wide of her left post Smith gets down nevertheless to make the save. Milton Keynes come forwards play on the left space for Doyle on the right gets forwards into the box as the diagonal ball comes in brings it down well, full back Carrie Bennett slides in to put the ball behind for the corner. Cleared from inside the six yard box Mills on the ball looks to break up to Nicole Perschky has Ashleigh Deacon ahead of her rolling the ball into her path Deacon is closed down as she looks to get into the box.
GOAL! Milton Keynes take the lead in the 10th minute attacking down the left wing, Taylor Duffy squares the ball across the top of the Cambridge area, Amelia Hazard knocks the ball in Barrett just outside the box left of the D, takes on the shot her low drive across Pamplin into the bottom corner 1-0.
Milton Keynes continue to move the ball well Loftus making so strong runs on the ball through the middle driving forwards puts the ball into Heather McDonnell as she gets into the box on the right, shifting the ball inside goes to shoot her strike blocked by defender Kayleigh-Anne Burt is deflected behind for a corner. From the right the ball goes long towards the far post Barrett up to head the ball inside the six yard box knocks it down into the ground, Pamplin down sharply to make the save on her goal line.
Few chances for Cambridge early on Milton Keynes on top in the opening 15 minutes. Loftus with another central run has too many bodies to go through as she is closed down inside the box. Burt defends really well against Barrett inside the six yard box as Duffy plays the ball in from the left wing wins the ball and clears for Cambridge. The ball is played into Deacon in the centre of midfield for Cambridge she plays the pass out to Mills already on the move on the right wing driving on plays the early cross high into the box, Wiltshire clear outside the six yard box meets the ball on the volley sends her effort over the crossbar.
Good tackling from Deacon coming left to stop Loftus getting forwards on halfway, bringing the ball away with her passes inside to Wiltshire before continuing her run down the wing, Wiltshire sending the return ball into her feet, crosses the ball along the top of the area just behind Perschky she manages to knock it on for Mills right side knocks the ball on into the area her 1st touch a little too heavy Smith is able to reach it first.
Both Bennett and then Burt defend well as Milton Keynes get Doyle forwards on the right to support the attack. Winning the ball at the back Vicky Holland, Milton Keynes player of the year comes forwards passing the ball into captain Charley Clarke then out to the left the cross put into the middle for Loftus 20 yards out sees her strike charged down, another bite also blocked then Pamplin is right behind the all as it is struck in from 25 yards out midway though the 1st half.
 |
| Milton Keynes Dons Ladies, Vicky Holland |
A few fouls being given away as Cambridge look to up their tempo get players on the ball, Gallop on the left wanting to get in behind. Wiltshire and Gallop look to combine down the left side, the latter fouled outside the area, Wiltshire over the free-kick sends the ball long players attacking far post no one can connect goal kick. Winning the ball inside the Milton Keynes half Paige Logie plays it forwards into Wiltshire moving away to the left looking to take the ball on into the box is closed down by Holland appeals from Cambridge as the defender muscles Wiltshire off the ball, the referee isn't interested.
GOAL! Another surging run through the middle leads to Milton Keynes doubling their lead in the 32nd minute. Taking the ball on into the box puts it into Barrett to her right, no room for a shot sees Amelia Hazard free outside the area plays the ball back to her striking it first time the shot swerves away from Pamplin and into the top left corner of the net 2-0.
 |
| Milton Keynes Dons Ladies, Amelia Hazard holding off Cambridge United WFC's Ashleigh Deacon |
GOAL! Cambridge respond straight away from the restart pulling a goal back is a superb individual goal from Gallop picking the ball up in a central position inside the Milton Keynes half takes in forwards 30 yards out shifts the ball to her right and pulls the trigger getting plenty of power through her boot sends the ball rocketing past Smith into the back of the goal 2-1.
Gallop is brought down in the centre circle a blow to her back, the referee plays the advantage with the ball at Mills' feet on the right puts and early ball into the area to close to the near post Smith takes it cleanly. Cambridge physio Jay Smith runs onto the field to treat Gallop the young attacker gingerly gets back to her feet. Play resumes the ball played up to Loftus she drives forwards putting the ball into Barrett's feet as she enters the box looks to push on is closed down and tackled by Burt.
The foul count is increasing Wiltshire brought down wide left, takes the resulting free-kick put long towards the far post Milton Keynes get a head on the ball cleared to the top of the area, Deacon gets her head on the ball attempting to place it sees it drop wide of goal. Loftus goes after and retrieves a long diagonal ball played into the right corner, fires a cross back into the area along the six yard box Barrett meets it Bright blocks the shot deflecting into the path of Burt, Cambridge get it clear.
Milton Keynes are getting upset as a number of decisions go against the late in the half giving away free-kicks, Deacon is fouled in front of the centre circle inside the Milton Keynes half. A long way out Wiltshire looks to go for goal on target but never troubling Smith.
Half-time Milton Keynes Dons Ladies 2-1 Cambridge United WFC
Milton Keynes with a positive start 2nd half push forwards, Duffy's cross from the left headed away by Bright. Jenkins with Mills coming back to support her deals with Duffy coming down the left again as McDonnell passes the ball into her. Mills gets the ball on the right for Cambridge, passes it inside to Wiltshire combining with Perschky, Wiltshire played on into the box is pushed wide gets a cross in from the byline going long Deacon is there, the ball waist height does well to hook it down then looking to turn into the shot from close range sees Smith on top of her coming in to grab the ball.
2-1 the lead for Milton Keynes Dons Ladies as they head back down the tunnel to the dressing room. A good start from the home side taking an early lead creating other opportunities doubling the lead just past the half hour mark a vital response from Cambridge to pull a goal back straight away. A narrow lead everything still to play for 2nd half.
A change for Cambridge at the start of the second half Laura Baker coming in to replace Gallop going into the centre of midfield, Deacon moving out to the left. Cambridge to kick-off the 2nd half, Milton Keynes pressure the ball straight away winning in played on for Duffy down the left win is fouled by Jenkins near the corner flag, ironic cheers from the home crowd unhappy with some decisions in the 1st half. Near enough a corner kick the ball is played up into the box dropping for Clarke she is quickly closed down the ball deflected out to the top of the area McDonnell goes to strike it first time slices her effort away from goal.
 |
| Cambridge United WFC's Nicole Perschky |
Milton Keynes make their first change in the 58th minute, Naylor coming off with Kara Howes coming on slotting into the right back position. Holland is shown a yellow card for a foul on Perschky midway inside the half in a central position. Mills over the ball is fired in low helped onto Logie in space her shot is charged down. Out to Baker left of goal outside the box put back in headed out of the box Cambridge retain possession Wiltshire taking the ball down byline wins a corner. Fired in from the right Holland clears for Milton Keynes. A 2nd change for Milton Keynes, Duffy comes off, Charly Wright joins the action.
GOAL! Midway through the 2nd half and Milton Keynes extend their lead. Awarded a free-kick wide left it's Wright newly arrived to the game to put the set-piece on up into the area going long Cambridge don't get it cleared far enough drops to Loftus at the top of the area prods it back inside to Barrett inside the six yard box right of goal sends her shot across the keeper and into the back of the net for her 2nd of the game 3-1.
A chance for McDonnell to have a strike at goal as the ball is played into her inside the D, gets her shot away a low ball Pamplin is behind it all the way. Deacon is given the ball by Baker has a go from long range the ball looping up into the air is seen safely over by Smith. Another yellow card is shown by the referee this time for Howes for Milton Keynes. A 3rd and final substitution before the free-kick wide left can be taken, Kerry Newman comes on to replace McDonnell. Wiltshire on the set-piece played long the flag goes up for offside.
Into the last 10 minutes, Doyle is yellow carded after bringing down Perschky, the ball played up towards the top of the area, Milton Keynes win it and launch a counter attack, Newman is fouled by Jenkins 25 yards out from goal the Cambridge right back shown the yellow card.
GOAL! From the resulting free-kick Milton Keynes make the result safe 25 yards out right side, Wright on the ball gets plenty of power into her run up striking the ball arrow straight it flies into the back of the net 4-1.
It all kicks off on the pitch in front of the Milton Keynes dug out, a coming together between Loftus and Baker, the Milton Keynes attacker on the ground lashes out at Baker, who lashes out in kind, before you know it players from both sides are piling in, madness not what the watching crowd need or want to witness when you're aiming to promote the game. The referee gets things calmed a little goes over to consult with his linesman who was close to the incident. Loftus is shown a straight red card. Baker along with Wright are called over and both shown a yellow.
Into stoppage time a corner kick for Cambridge on the left the ball played in towards Logie near post turns an hits it straight at Smith the goalkeeper coming to close her down. Milton Keynes seeing out the remaining minutes celebrate at the final whistle.
 |
| Two goals for Milton Keynes Dons Ladies Hannah Barrett |
A chance for McDonnell to have a strike at goal as the ball is played into her inside the D, gets her shot away a low ball Pamplin is behind it all the way. Deacon is given the ball by Baker has a go from long range the ball looping up into the air is seen safely over by Smith. Another yellow card is shown by the referee this time for Howes for Milton Keynes. A 3rd and final substitution before the free-kick wide left can be taken, Kerry Newman comes on to replace McDonnell. Wiltshire on the set-piece played long the flag goes up for offside.
Into the last 10 minutes, Doyle is yellow carded after bringing down Perschky, the ball played up towards the top of the area, Milton Keynes win it and launch a counter attack, Newman is fouled by Jenkins 25 yards out from goal the Cambridge right back shown the yellow card.
GOAL! From the resulting free-kick Milton Keynes make the result safe 25 yards out right side, Wright on the ball gets plenty of power into her run up striking the ball arrow straight it flies into the back of the net 4-1.
It all kicks off on the pitch in front of the Milton Keynes dug out, a coming together between Loftus and Baker, the Milton Keynes attacker on the ground lashes out at Baker, who lashes out in kind, before you know it players from both sides are piling in, madness not what the watching crowd need or want to witness when you're aiming to promote the game. The referee gets things calmed a little goes over to consult with his linesman who was close to the incident. Loftus is shown a straight red card. Baker along with Wright are called over and both shown a yellow.
Into stoppage time a corner kick for Cambridge on the left the ball played in towards Logie near post turns an hits it straight at Smith the goalkeeper coming to close her down. Milton Keynes seeing out the remaining minutes celebrate at the final whistle.
Full time Milton Keynes Dons Ladies 4-1 Cambridge United WFC
The result secures runners-up spot in the FAWPL South East Division One for Milton Keynes Dons Ladies great to get it at the Stadium MK too. Started the better and put on a good performance to beat Cambridge and take all 3 points. A bitter blow for Cambridge right at the end of the season having been pushing all the way 3 straight defeats have taken the gloss off in 4th place level on points with AFC Wimbledon Ladies going into the last weekend are at home to Milton Keynes 3rd place now the goal. AFC Wimbledon Ladies at home to Gillingham FC Ladies who will be looking to end the season unbeaten.
SWF Blog - Player of the Match
Tonight's SWF Blog - Player of the Match goes to Milton Keynes Dons Ladies Vicky Holland thought she was superb at the back limiting opportunities for Cambridge and coming out to pressure the ball.
A fantastic crowd of 463 coming to watch the game were treated to some fantastic goals, thanks to MK Dons FC for giving both sides the opportunity to play at the Stadium MK and I hope the Ladies side get another opportunity to do so soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment