Natasha Thomas was on target in the first-half but MK Dons staged a second-half comeback to beat Town 2-1 in their final pre-season friendly at Playford Road on Sunday.
The game started at a high intensity with both sides looking a threat on the counter-attack. The first real chance fell to the visitors as Molly Lemon strolled through on goal but Danni Clarke made a strong save down to her left to deny the Dons an early lead. Town soon sparked into life and took the lead after Zoe Cossey robbed a defender on the edge of the area before laying into the path of Thomas, who found the top corner through the fingertips of Dons goalkeeper Emma Kirby.
MK Dons continued to provide a threat on the break and should have been level on the stroke of half-time as the ball fell to Netschova but with the goal gaping, blasted well over the bar. After the restart the Dons were presented with another glorious opportunity to equalise after Chloe Dunn was caught in possession but with all the time in the world to pick her place, Gough smashed her shot well over the bar.
Just two minutes later Town should have doubled their advantage as Rossiter delivered a dangerous cross towards Thomas, but the Town forward's header was straight at Kirby. Town boss Joe Sheehan soon introduced a host of substitutes, including debutant teenage trio Zoe Barratt, Maria Boswell and Molly Sutherland, with the latter in particular a constant threat for the Blues.
However, despite looking out of ideas, MK Dons levelled with 15 minutes to go. After some initial good interchange, the ball was cut back from the right towards Leah Littlechild, who found the far corner with the help of a deflection. Just two minutes later the turnaround was complete as Lemon headed home with her second bite of the cherry after Clarke had initially saved her first effort.
Town looked stunned by the Dons' comeback and looked to manufacture a response. The Blues should have been level three minutes from time as substitute Sophie Peskett raced away from the Dons defence but with the goal at her mercy, took a heavy touch and failed to get her shot away under pressure.
That proved to be the final chance of the game as Town concluded their pre-season schedule with a defeat.
The Tractor Girls begin their new league campaign at home to AFC Wimbledon next Sunday (18th August) at the Goldstar Ground, Felixstowe. Kickoff 2pm.
Town: Clarke (GK), Pannifer, Dunn, Stretch (c), Hubbard, Wakefield, Wilson, Flatt, Rossiter, Cossey, Thomas
Subs (All rolling & used): Barratt, Boswell, Peake, Peskett, Sutherland
MK Dons continued to provide a threat on the break and should have been level on the stroke of half-time as the ball fell to Netschova but with the goal gaping, blasted well over the bar. After the restart the Dons were presented with another glorious opportunity to equalise after Chloe Dunn was caught in possession but with all the time in the world to pick her place, Gough smashed her shot well over the bar.
Just two minutes later Town should have doubled their advantage as Rossiter delivered a dangerous cross towards Thomas, but the Town forward's header was straight at Kirby. Town boss Joe Sheehan soon introduced a host of substitutes, including debutant teenage trio Zoe Barratt, Maria Boswell and Molly Sutherland, with the latter in particular a constant threat for the Blues.
However, despite looking out of ideas, MK Dons levelled with 15 minutes to go. After some initial good interchange, the ball was cut back from the right towards Leah Littlechild, who found the far corner with the help of a deflection. Just two minutes later the turnaround was complete as Lemon headed home with her second bite of the cherry after Clarke had initially saved her first effort.
Town looked stunned by the Dons' comeback and looked to manufacture a response. The Blues should have been level three minutes from time as substitute Sophie Peskett raced away from the Dons defence but with the goal at her mercy, took a heavy touch and failed to get her shot away under pressure.
That proved to be the final chance of the game as Town concluded their pre-season schedule with a defeat.
The Tractor Girls begin their new league campaign at home to AFC Wimbledon next Sunday (18th August) at the Goldstar Ground, Felixstowe. Kickoff 2pm.
Town: Clarke (GK), Pannifer, Dunn, Stretch (c), Hubbard, Wakefield, Wilson, Flatt, Rossiter, Cossey, Thomas
Subs (All rolling & used): Barratt, Boswell, Peake, Peskett, Sutherland
