MK Dons 0 Stoke City 2
A trip away to Stadium MK could be a day that Stoke City Women could make club history by reaching the FA WNL Cup Final on April 17th. Storm Dennis didn’t win as it called off many games but as we arrived at Stadium MK the pitch looked fantastic as did the ground and it was time to get going as we took our seat with the 606 in attendance. The two teams lined up ready to start the game off after the captains had completed the coin toss.
As expected Stoke City came out the blocks the fastest as MK Dons looked to play their way into the game. MK Dons were sitting deep as Stoke City tried to get used to the big pitch with the conditions and the first real chance didn’t come until the 20th minute as Abby Hunt put a ball into the box and as Ali Hall lept towards it she couldn’t direct her header goalwards as the ball went wide of the target. Stoke were starting to create but at times first touch wasn’t there but they would win the ball back and on the 28th minute Kelsey Richardson had an effort but as she got the power just couldn’t direct the effort as it went straight at the keeper who took the sting out of the shot. It was a fustrating start to the game as you could see Stoke City were dominating play but without anything to show for this.
Efforts were hard to come by in the first 45 minutes as MK Dons were defending well as a whole. Stoke created a few chances with Ella Pemberton doing alot of the work in the centre to win the ball back and get Stoke going forward. Kesley Richardson had another long range effort but her effort just didn’t dip enough as it looked good off her boot but just went over the bar. Stoke kept battling away but not alot really happened as MK Dons worked really hard to keep them out as the half time whistle went at 0-0 with alot to do in the second half for both teams to reach the final, but all to play for.
The second half started with a tight game the first goal being so important with being 45 minutes away from the final. Stoke made the important breakthrough 19 minutes into the second half. A great through ball by Ali Hall over the top found Abby Hunt who still had alot to do as she struck the ball cleanly from the edge of the area into the diving goalkeeper. On the 57th minute MK Dons made the first change of the game as Kim Farrow replaced Molly Lemon. Stoke City was awarded a free kick as Tash Baptiste was fouled and Hollie Gibson stepped up to take the free kick from distance. Hollie stepped up and struck the ball giving the diving keeper no chance as the ball hit the back of the net giving stoke a 0-2 lead. An important 5 mins in the tie to give Stoke the upper hand they deserved.
Faye McCoy replaced Tash Baptiste on the 63rd minute to try and freshen up the legs up front. With a 0-2 lead Stoke maybe took their foot off the pace a little and MK Dons upped their game as they tried to apply pressure to get back into the game. On the 73rd minute MK Dons had the ball in the back of the Stoke City net but it was disallowed for offside as Louise Naylor stuck a foot out at Jade Bell’s effort from the edge of the box. On the 75th minute Amy Hughes was replaced by the pacey Roisin Kivel for Stoke City. After a few knocks for Meg Bowyer she was like the terminator as she kept coming back after being knocked down.
MK Dons nearly hit back and was so close to scoring with a real surging attack on the 76th minute as Leah Littlechild used the wing and whipped the ball into the on running Jade Bell who directed the effort but it went agonizingly close but didn’t hit the back of the net. On the 79th minute Shauna Munns came on for Louise Naylor. Jade Bell was a constant threat for MK Dons throughout the game with Beth Roberts having to be on her game against her at all times. Roisin Kivel worked the ball on the wing and as she cut inside she couldn’t get her shot off as it fell straight to the keeper. But the last proper effort of the game was when Ali Hall hit an absolute peach of a shot as it dipped it clattered the crossbar which really G’d Ali Hall up as she had a number of shots but the MK Dons keeper made sure the score stayed at 0-2. Stoke made a final change where Cassie Hyde finally got onto the pitch as she replaced Kelsey Richardson. Stoke soaked up a little MK Dons pressure as the final whistle went and Stoke had won 0-2 making Club History as they reached the final. Also something that often can’t say but the referee had a fantastic game it’s nice to be able to not have anything to moan about the officials for but they had a good game.
It was a real nice touch to see Stoke clap the fans as the game finished and make their way into the crowd to see the young girls and us idiots in the bar. As always it’s so nice to be in and around Stoke City with the players, Chloe Jones, James and the rest of the staff as always made to feel so welcome. Stoke are building something really fantastic and will only keep getting better and better. The final will take place on April 17th with the venue TBC against Sunderland or Southampton FC. But before then Stoke City travel to WBA on Wednesday 19th Feb for a 7.45pm kick off at Walsall Wood.
Stoke City WOmen
