Milton Keynes Dons 0-2 Birmingham City
by Hannah Chadwick at Stadium: MK for Impetus.
Above: Birmingham City (blue) look to break through at Milton Keynes yesterday. Photo: Chris Foxwell via X.
A dramatic game in the third round of the FA Cup ended with Championship side Birmingham City finally get past Milton Keynes from the league below with two goals in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes.
The Buckinghamshire side earned their place in this stage of the competition after a convincing win against Worcester City to set up this first-ever meeting between the two sides.
In the opening minutes, it was clear this game could go either way. The first opportunity fell Birmingham’s way when Lucy Quinn took advantage to feed Lucy Pennock who forced Chloe Samson into a save in the MK goal and then cleared by Sofia Stovold.
Whilst Birmingham had lots of possession, the home side were not without opportunities. A beautiful link-up between Stovold and Rush led to a cross gets played in, but it landed at the feet of Gemma Lawley who cleared to Finn, and away went City to earn a corner. Lucy Quin takes the corner which Louise Quinn heads goalwards but Sansom tips over.
Lucy Quinn continued her impressive play when she picked up the ball down the right-hand side. The move ended with yet another corner which was headed over by Finn.
Birmingham City started the second half strongly with Milton Keynes stuck in their own half. A shot on goal from Remi Allen forces Sansom to make a save the ball. From the resulting clearance, the hosts break and Wood accelerates towards Thomas in the Birmingham goal but she runs into trouble.
The energy slowly fizzled out in the final quarter of an hour. With two minutes remaining, City break through with Mason and Delvin and the former plays the ball in which alludes everyone.
The fourth official indicated there will be six minutes of additional time as Birmingham City are on the attack with Yu-Ri who slots the ball in at the back post to give the visitors a dramatic lead.
As a final roll of the dice, Milton Keynes bring on Leyla O’Brien is brought on and she is straight into the action, winning a corner down the right side. Sansom leaves her own goal to come into the penalty box, but the flag kick falls to Ivana Fuso for Birmingham City who has an empty net in front of her and she doesn’t miss.
It was a painful way for MK to bow out. Birmingham City dodged a bullet.
Teams: MILTON KEYNES DONS: Sansom, Warren, Puddick, Biggadike, Stovold, Mitchell, Rush, Wood, Creaney, Attenborough, Mclean. Substitutes used: Mclean (60′), Dolling (88′), O’Brien (90+3′).
BIRMINGHAM CITY: Thomas, Harris, Quinn, Lawley, Pennock, Finn, Smith, Harrison-Murray, Fuso, Lucy Quinn, Moore. Substitutes used: Allen (46′), Mason (46′), Agg (63′), Devlin (73′), Yu-ri (79′).
Scorers: Yu-ri 90+2′, Fuso 90+4′.
Attendance: 651.
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