22 Jan 2012: MK Dons Ladies 3-1 Brentwood Ladies

MK Dons Ladies secured their place in the South East Combination for next season with a 3-1 victory over Brentwood Town.

Captain Heather McDonnell gave the Dons an early lead, before Zoe Lipley-Hinton pulled one back for the visitors. It wasn't long however, before McDonnell put the Dons back in front with Emily Mann adding another before the half hour point. Despite Brentwood's efforts, there were no further goals in the second half.

Injuries and unavailability continue to be a problem and with both Kelly Robinson and Nikki Tarrant out - defender Hannah Paterson and new signing Mamiko Tanabe both made the starting eleven. Tanabe, signed from City Belles earlier in the week, played a central midfield role. Kate Costin and Dani Borrelli were named on the bench.

The Dons started strongly against last season's Eastern Regional League champions, and there was an early yellow card for Town's Nikki Allen as she pulled down Lil Stanton, who was clear on goal. Tanabe was just unable to turn in the resultant free kick.

Early pressure from the front pairing of Lauren Goodier and Emily Mann couldn't get the ball past keeper Layla Prior but on 9 minutes, Charly Wright played the ball forward down the left for McDonnell to run onto and after a touch forward, slipped the ball under the keeper to put the Dons ahead.

The lead lasted just four minutes however, as the Blues pulled a goal back. A poor ball played across the back four and put right back Brodie Betts in a lot of trouble, and Zoe Lipley-Hinton nipped in to run forward and shoot high past Emma Kirby to level the scores.

On 19 minutes, Brentwood almost went in front as Lipley-Hinton's shot forced a brilliant finger-tip save from Kirby as she stretched high to touch the ball away. But the resultant corner saw the Dons immediately go on the attack. Jo Brandon split the defence open with a through ball and McDonnell latched onto her pass and fired in from 12 yards.

The Dons started to pressure the visitors as Goodier struck the top of the crossbar and then went further ahead on 29 minutes when Paterson picked out Emily Mann, who turned on the edge of the area to fire in a high shot past Prior.

It could have been four just moments later as McDonnell rounded the keeper before Holly Trimby cleared the ball off the line to deny her hat-trick. Mann also came close on a couple of occasions before the break but the score remained 3-1 at half time.

The Dons suffered two early injuries at the start of the second half as both Tanabe and Mann had to be replaced. Costin came on at left back, with Wright moving into midfield, while Borrelli went to right midfield with McDonnell moving forward. The changes seemed to unsettle the Dons slightly as Brentwood hurried them into making mistakes.

Despite that, the visitors failed to trouble Emma Kirby, and it was the Dons who continued to have the better chances. Goodier had a shot saved, before Hannah Paterson found herself the recipient of another yellow card as she brought down Carla Rose.

The Dons were still unable to settle into any rhythm in the remaining half hour as Brentwood continued to break down the Dons passing game. Betts shot wide and McDonnell shot over in the final twenty minutes, before Borrelli fed another good ball through to Goodier on the right, but her dangerous cross was cut out by Prior.

The single relegation place will be taken by either Brentwood or Old Actonians, with both teams yet to play each other. At the other end of the table, Lewes are almost home and dry as Champions.

Next Sunday (29 January), Dons are away to Old Actonians at their Sports Ground in Ealing - 2pm kick-off.

MK Dons Ladies: Kirby, Betts, Paterson, Brandon, Turner, McDonnell (c), Stanton, Tanabe (Costin 50), Wright, Goodier, Mann (Borrelli 53). Subs not used: Nil.

Goals: Heather McDonnell 9, 20, Emily Mann 29.

Referee: Mr James Campbell (Beds FA)

Other results: Cambridge 1 Lewes 4; Ebbsfleet United 2 Enfield Town 2; Old Actonians 1; Norwich City 1