Women: Preview - MK Dons

Match Info

Fixture: MK Dons v Watford
Competition: FA Women's National League Southern Premier Division
Venue: Willen Road, Newport Pagnell Town FC
Time: Sunday January 12, 2pm 
Strip: Yellow home kit

Watford FC Women are due to finally return to action after the Christmas period with an away clash at MK Dons in the FA WNL Southern Premier Division (Sunday January 12, 2pm KO).

By the time of kick-off, it will be approaching a month since the Golden Girls last played - a 5-1 win away at Billericay Town on December 15 which made it three wins on the bounce in the league.

The wait to return to action was extended after last weekend's fixture at home to Lewes was postponed due to a frozen pitch at Grosvenor Vale.

It means it is MK Dons who are now scheduled to be the first opponents of 2025 for Head Coach Renée Hector's side, who will be looking to keep their fine league form intact. 

How The Land Lies

Watford currently sit fifth in the table, nine points adrift of both leaders Ipswich Town and second-placed Hashtag United.

Although both the Golden Girls and Ipswich have played 11 games, the Hornets boast two games in hand on Hashtag and have 20 points in total.

MK Dons have struggled this term and are bottom of the pile and eight points adrift of safety.

They are still awaiting their first victory of the campaign and have just a single point to their name, having drawn one and lost 13 of their matches.

Despite some heavy defeats, including an 8-0 reverse against Watford in September and a 13-0 loss against Ipswich, the Dons are showing signs of improvement.

They have scored in their last three matches and only lost 2-1 to the Plymouth Argyle side which knocked the Hornets out of the League Cup last weekend.

Abdoullah Kheir was appointed as the team's new Head Coach in November.

Pre-Match Chat

Hornets Head Coach Renée Hector told watfordfc.com that they could not expect an easy game despite MK Dons' position in the league.

“We can’t underestimate any team or take any game for granted,” she said.

“We’ve had some results that have unexpectedly not gone our way and it just shows that anything can happen.

“They’ve scored in their past three games and their results have got better and better, so they are going to be feeling confident that they are finding some sort of form.

“We have to be ready for that and we can't be complacent. I’ve already spoken to the players, we’ve got to be at the races because every point counts at this point.

“We need to make sure we are fully switched on and ready to give a full account of ourselves.“

Hector added that the players are raring to go following their extended period without a game.

“We’re chomping at the bit,“ she said. “Obviously the girls haven’t had a game now for about a month. We’re really looking forward to getting back out there and hopefully continuing some good league form.

“It has allowed the players to prepare more and get ready. They have worked super hard and hopefully they can put in a good performance.”

Team News

Kalani Peart and Melis Mehmet will miss this weekend's trip.

Both will play with the development team to get valuable minutes following the festive break.

Follow the game

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