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Dons Ladies suffer reverse in home opener

11 September 2016

Emma Keady ensured that MK Dons Ladies were left disappointed in their first home game of the season as she scored both goals to earn AFC Wimbledon Ladies a 2-0 win.

In what proved to be a physical game, Keady grabbed her goals for AFC Wimbledon Ladies by making the most of errors made by the Dons.

Keady incepted a misplaced pass to create a one-on-one opportunity for herself, which she comfortably took midway through the first half.

She then confirmed the points early in the second half, winning the ball on the edge of the box before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Emma Kirby.

The Dons did get off to a good start with Kerry Newman having a shot from outside box which forced the keeper to make a save.

Newman continued to be a nuisance for the AFC Wimbledon Ladies’ defence, breaking down the wing and crossing to Leanna Doyle, whose shot was blocked.

Half chances continued to fall for the Dons, with both Leah Cudone and Heather McDonnell firing powerful shots goalwards from distance but they both finished over the crossbar.

Keady then made it 1-0 to AFC Wimbledon Ladies, pouncing on a misplaced pass before leaving Kirby with no chance after striking the ball into the bottom corner.

Cudone then went close twice, with her best effort going inches wide of the top left corner, but AFC Wimbledon were able to hold on to their narrow lead going into half-time.

Shortly after the re-start, Keady used her muscle to win back the ball for her team and fire the ball into the net to double AFC Wimbledon’s lead.

AFC Wimbledon Ladies then pushed forward to try and add to their two goals but Kirby managed to keep them at bay.

AFC Wimbledon Ladies had to clear the ball off the line to stop the Dons getting a consolation goal after Anna Loftus’ dangerous ball from a corner that left everyone scrambling.

Speaking after the game, captain Charley Clarke expressed her disappointment at the result: “It’s our own quality and technical ability that’s letting us down. The two goals were from our own errors and that’s always frustrating and disappointing, but there were also silly mistakes all over the pitch.

“We’re looking to compete for the title, but there are a lot of strong teams out there. At the moment our quality with the ball at our feet isn’t there just yet.

“We need a bit more composure. It’s those fine margins when the ball isn’t played through quite right or your touch is a little bit off - those percentages mean we’re missing out on results at the moment.”

Starting XI: Kirby, Howes, Naylor, Holland, Brittain (Gillings 45), Clarke (c), Doyle, Cudone (Vass 79), McDonnell, Newman (Loftus 63), Barrett

Unused Subs: Smith

Attendance: 78

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