A midweek trip to MK Dons saw the U’s unable to build on Sunday’s win against the University of Nottingham, returning with just one point on the road.
Under the floodlights of Stadium MK, the U’s resumed league action this week, aiming to close the gap with those at the top of the table. But despite their efforts, Cambridge had to settle for a draw.
Going into the game, there were just two changes to the starting lineup, with Kim Farrow and Mia Richards coming in for Becca Stephenson and Shannon Shaw. The match marked Richards’ first start following her return from injury.
It was a cagey start, with both sides struggling to settle into a rhythm or carve out any meaningful opportunities.
The first real chance fell to the home side in the 14th minute when forward Molly Lemon slipped past her marker with a neat touch before unleashing a powerful strike bound for the top corner. U’s goalkeeper Lauren Webb reacted superbly, diving to tip the effort away.
Just a few minutes later, Lemon found herself through on goal once again, but Webb was alert to the danger and was quick off her line to smother the ball before a shot could be taken.
Cambridge United’s first opportunity came in the 22nd minute, and they made sure to make it count.
U’s defender Lauren Rouse lofted a perfectly weighted ball over the MK Dons back line for Jade Bell to chase. Bell guided a tempting cross into the path of Kim Farrow, who, unable to reach it with her foot, improvised brilliantly with a diving header to steer the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0.
After securing the opening goal, momentum swung in Cambridge’s favour as they began to create several chances to extend their advantage. Jade Bell had an opportunity to get in on goal, but Alysha Stojko-Down’s through ball just ran away from her on the slick surface.
In the 39th minute, sustained Cambridge pressure as they pushed for a second earned the U’s a series of corners, creating multiple opportunities to extend their lead.
From the corner, Brooke Cheal-Ferris delivered a curling ball into the box, which was met by a powerful header from centre back Abbie Jackson. However, MK keeper Jamie-Lee Bamford denied the chance by moving swiftly to palm the ball out for another corner. A goal here would have given Jackson her third in two games, after her brace against the University of Nottingham on Sunday.
The following corner saw another promising chance for the U’s, with Mia Richards rising at the back post, but she was unable to keep her header down, and the ball sailed over the crossbar.
As the teams went in for the break, Cambridge held the advantage, leading 1-0.
It was a scrappy start to the second half, as both teams battled for the crucial next goal.
Straight from the restart in the 46th minute, MK Dons had a chance to level with Molly Lemon, who pushed the ball past the Cambridge back line, sending her shot narrowly wide of the left post.
In the 56th minute, MK Dons earned a second chance to level the score and this time they made it count. Lemon unleashed another shot, which Webb in goal did well to save, but the rebound fell perfectly to Giusy Carnevale, who pounced and slotted it into the net to make it 1-1.
Back on level terms, Cambridge United made two changes with Josie Jarvis and Sammy Edgar making way for Lauren Tomlinson and Molly Sutherland in a bid to reclaim dominance.
The game remained a chaotic affair, with chances scarce and neither side appearing likely to score next.
In the 74th minute, Lauren Tomlinson attacked with purpose, sending a cross into the box that failed to connect. Milton Keynes regained possession and were able to counter, winning a corner that would produce their second goal.
Captain Favour Omenazu beat her marker from the corner and rose to meet the cross, firing in a header from close range to make the game 2-1.
Trailing as the clock wound down, the U’s pushed hard for an equaliser but, despite their efforts, couldn’t find the decisive final pass.
That was until the 80th minute, when Mia Richards’ curling pass found Molly Sutherland at the edge of the box. Sutherland took her first touch around her defender before striking low and hard from range into the bottom left corner.
With ten minutes to go and the game once again tied, Cambridge pushed aggressively for a winner. Tomlinson came close with an effort that drifted just over the bar, while captain Zoe Wood rattled the crossbar with a thunderous free kick.
As the match grew increasingly intense, MK Dons lost all composure and self-control. In added time, a red card was shown to Molly Lemon after striking Alysha Stojko- Down in the face with a closed fist.
Just minutes later, the home side were extremely fortunate not to receive a second sending off for a clear and cynical elbow to the face on Abbie Jackson, which left her requiring treatment and unable to continue.
With the final whistle approaching, the U’s had one last chance to snatch all three points. Becca Stephenson tried her luck from range, but it was saved by Bamford and the fixture finished 2-2.
The girls are back in league action on Sunday, November 2nd, at home against Chatham Town.
Match report by Molly Sutherland.
Cambridge United: Webb, Cheal- Ferris, Rouse, Jackson (Shaw, 90+11’), Richards (Stephenson, 85’), Stojko-Down, Bell, Edgar (Sutherland, 64’), Jarvis (Tomlinson, 64’), Farrow, Wood
Subs Not Used: Shults, Miles, Cullum
Goal scorers: Farrow (22’), Sutherland (80’)
MK Dons: Bamford, O’Neill, Chimbima, Carnevale, Omenazu, Norman (Wootton, 80’), Lemon, Bishop-Jones, Harrison (Sarll, 61’), Rukaj (Fletcher, 66’), Day
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Page, Beverly, Appleton
Goal scorers: Carnevale (56’), Omenazu (74’)
