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MK Dons 0-1 Town - Match Report
Saturday, 12th Dec 2015 14:36

Town claimed their third successive win on the road as Brett Pitman’s 10th minute goal saw the Blues to a 1-0 victory in their first league game against the MK Dons at Stadium MK. Town ought to have won the game by a greater margin with the Blues failing to take a number of good chances.

Mick McCarthy named an unchanged starting XI, while Ryan Fraser returned to the bench having come back to the club yesterday after undergoing his rehab after his knee injury with parent club AFC Bournemouth.

The MK Dons, who the Blues were facing in the league for the first time, included ex-Town man Dean Bowditch from the start, while former keeper Cody Cropper was on the bench.

There was a late change of referee with Gavin Ward, who took charge of last month's 2-2 draw with Wolves, taking over from Andrew Madley, who switched to fourth official.

November’s Championship Player of the Month Daryl Murphy struck the game’s first shot in the third minute but scraped his edge-of-the-area effort past MK keeper David Martin’s left post.

A minute later on-loan Norwich winger Josh Murphy was sent away down the left and the ball was half-cleared to Nicky Maynard but the one-time Blues target was challenged by Cole Skuse before he could get in a shot.

Play remained in the Blues’ half and former Town striker Bowditch curled a shot not too far wide from just outside the box.

The Dons, whose fans peopled their now fully seated stadium somewhat sporadically, had seen most of the ball in the early stages but in the 10th minute the Blues went in front.

Jonathan Douglas’s deft pass found Chambers wide on the right and the Town skipper curled a cross past Samir Carruthers to Pitman, who stooped to nod home his sixth goal of the season from six yards.

Town had a good chance to make it 2-0 in the 16th minute when Freddie Sears, again operating in his left-sided role, chased Jonas Knudsen’s ball over the top down the middle. The striker lobbed the advancing Martin but sent the ball wide of the keeper’s left post.

Douglas half-volleyed over on 20, then moments later the Irishman was booked for a foul on Carruthers on halfway.

Dons’ winger Murphy shot goalwards from distance, however, he failed to test Blues keeper Dean Gerken in the 27th minute with the home side having most of the ball but with Town having looked the more threatening team when breaking.

Two minutes later, Gerken tipped Carl Baker’s cross from the right over his crossbar, then from the resultant corner Town’s Murphy headed Carruthers’s effort out for another flag-kick, although the ball looked to have been going well wide in any case.


Town should have made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute when Murphy was sent away on goal to the right by a Tommy Smith pass and beat the advancing Martin to the ball but sent it wide and off the stanchion.

Bowditch shot well over from 25 yards on 38 with the home side, then two minutes later Kyle McFadzean headed over from a corner taken by the one-time Blues academy player.

Neither side created another serious opportunity before the break, Town were unable to make anything of Murphy being sent away down the left, before referee Gavin Ward blew his whistle.

Having claimed the lead via Pitman’s well-worked goal, in much the same way as was the case at Charlton a fortnight ago, the Blues didn’t have to take the game to the home side, who were unable to significantly test the Town defence and keeper despite having a lot of the ball.

Town had continued to look a threat on the break and on another day might well have found themselves 3-0 up at the break.

A second goal in the second half looked like it should be enough to seal a third away win on the trot for the Blues and Murphy wasn’t too far away within a minute of the restart.

The Irish international was sent away on the left, cut in and hit an effort across the face and wide.

Baker hit Smith with the Dons’ first shot of the second half in the 52nd minute, then four minutes later Maynard headed Carruthers’s cross over.

There was a bigger scare for the Blues a minute later when Smith failed to clear on the right of the area and the ball ricocheted to Bowditch, who shot across Gerken and just wide, off a defender according to referee Ward.

The Blues had looked less of a threat on the counter-attack since the break but on 58, after Ainsley Maitland-Niles had bravely won a header on halfway, Pitman’s hook sent Sears away on goal only for a linesman’s flag - perhaps harshly - to halt him in his tracks.

Chambers was booked for a foul on Murphy and his subsequent protest on 62. From the freekick Bowditch touched the ball to the on-loan Canary, who drove it powerfully into the box and Maynard headed over from close range. It was as close as the home side had come to a goal and the former Bristol City man’s sharp header might well have been on target.

Former Blue Bowditch made way soon after along with Baker with Ben Reeves and Daniel Powell - who went to ground to claim a rather ambitious penalty within a minute of coming on - taking over.

Town began to create a few more opportunities, Knudsen sending over a dangerous ball from the left on 66 which was flicked away from Blues striker Murphy.

Five minutes later, Murphy was found in space on the edge of the home side’s box by Skuse but blazed over when he had more time to take the ball closer to goal.

Sears was booked for a foul on Spence on the MK right as the game moved towards its final 15 minutes. The Blues made heavy weather of clearing the freekick but the Dons were unable to create an opening.

Town again went close to doubling their lead in the 78th minute when Maitland-Niles crossed low from the right and Murphy turned the ball just wide at the near post. That was the on-loan Arsenal man’s last action with Jonny Parr taking over.

Reeves wasn’t far away from making the Blues pay for all their missed chances in the 80th minute, the sub unleashing a powerful strike which looked to take a deflection before Gerken pushed it wide of his post.

Within a minute Gerken was in action again, tipping a dipping Carruthers effort over and onto the roof of the net.

For the first time in the game the Blues were being put under pressure, winger Murphy seeing a subsequent effort deflect over, then Gerken claimed a looping deflected ball ahead of Maynard.

Reeves hooked a 20-yard half-volley through to the Town keeper on 85, then a minute later David McGoldrick replaced Sears and for the home side Rob Hall took over from Jordan Spence.

Skuse and McGoldrick exchanged passes in the 89th minute, but the midfielder’s shot from the edge of the box was straight at Martin.

Soon after, sub Hall cut in from the right and hit a shot which Gerken palmed wide of his left post.

From the corner, McGoldrick was sent away on his own in the MK half but defenders retreating and no team-mates joining him turned away from goal and won a throw, keeping the ball in the Dons’ half.

The home side put the Blues under pressure in the closing stages, keeper Martin coming up for a corner, then Knudsen was pole-axed by Hall’s pile-driver and required treatment before referee Ward blew his final whistle.

A third successive win on the road for the Blues, which really ought to have been as comfortable as the victories at Rotherham and Charlton.

Town might have been made to rue all their missed chances in the closing stages as MK rallied but Gerken again made saves when he was required to see the Blues up into sixth at least until this afternoon’s games have been played.

MK Dons: Martin, Spence (Hall 86), McFadzean, Kay, Lewington (c), Potter, Carruthers, Baker (Powell 62), Bowditch (Reeves 62), Murphy, Maynard. Unused: Cropper, Hodson, Poyet, Gallagher.

Town: Gerken, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Maitland-Niles (Parr 78), Sears (McGoldrick 86), Pitman, Murphy. Unused: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, Coke, Tabb, Fraser. Gavin Ward (Surrey). Att; 13,520.


Photo: Action Images



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loyal_Blue added 14:38 - Dec 12
Poor display, very defensive after we scored our goal. But even though we played poor. We could of scored 4 and Murphy could of had a hat trick. Thought Knudsen had a great game! Very happy with the three points. On to Fulham!!! COYB
5

Ipswichbusiness added 14:42 - Dec 12
Three points, clean sheet, job done, move onto the next one.
9

PiercingBlue added 14:43 - Dec 12
Well played town. Yes we could have scored more, but an away win is an away win!
5

Stato added 14:45 - Dec 12
MK dons were poor. We weren't much better
2

unknown100 added 14:46 - Dec 12
Good result but wish we would be more positive when going ahead, 1-0 in 10 minutes you'd be thinking lets go and kill the team and hit 3 or 4, but when we get a little bit of pressure they always look like they could equalise but good enough performance and happy to be in the play offs, well done town
8

StochesStotasBlewe added 14:52 - Dec 12
Defensively very good performance, must give Knudson credit, much more solid. Should have had the game wrapped up by the hour mark to be honest. Still think Sears would be more effective running the channels from the centre, he,s rather isolated at times out wide, but, as a team did the ugly stuff very well.
Happy with the win. COYB.
7

theman added 14:53 - Dec 12
At the end of the day we got the win which was the most important outcome. Wish we'd look to control the ball/midfield more particularly against lower class opposition. Thought MK Dons, for all their possession and passing, were there for the taking. Our inability to kill the game off let them back into it and on another day we'd be complaining about a draw.
7

yorksblue added 14:54 - Dec 12
Delighted with 3 pts. Annoyed that we did our best to gift them a point, when game should have been signed, sealed and delivered by HT. Linos need shooting on that display. Ref wasn't much better.
7

Keaneish added 14:54 - Dec 12
I think I'd describe that as an inexplicably dour and turgid 3 points epitomised by the man of the match award. Thank fully we're off Sky for a while now. Hoping for a better display at the Cottage Tuesday night.

Defensively resolute today but who wants to watch us play counter attacking football against relegation fodder?

Back four were solid. Gerken did his job. Douglas made a few incisive balls. Other than that I'm struggling to think of any performances worth mentioning.
14

warktheline added 14:57 - Dec 12
Keep collecting the points lads, let's see where it takes us! Always nice to win away, whatever the manner.
8

bluefeast added 14:59 - Dec 12
Knudson was my man of the match , in part as that was his best performance in a blue shirt. Skuse did his thing. Have to say if we could keep the ball for more than a 1 pass we would be decent. We seem to treat a game of football as a fight ,whilst other teams look to create via one twos etc etc. Having said all of that Murphy should of scored. Officials were terrible ,but then they can be excused due to only being between 9 and 12 years old.
3

brian_a_mul added 15:02 - Dec 12
A very effective performance from Town.
Chambers played well and we were a threat on the counter.

McGoldrick got some game time and a decent 30 yard sprint in to his legs :)
Sears and Murphs were threatening throughout and on another day would have scored a few more.

Job well done
0

Dissboyitfc added 15:04 - Dec 12
Very pleased with the clean sheet and three points, should of been out of sight by half time. But by the end we are holding on against a poor side, making them look like world beaters.

back in the play-off positions, if only for a short time..COYB
8

peteswindon added 15:10 - Dec 12
I only watched it from the 60th minute but think it was a poor display by us, Gerkin kept us it it with a solid display. Murph missed two sitters, and we where out played. Saying that job done and 3 points and an away win so have to be happy with that but my god it was backs to the wall, a better finishing team and we would have been in trouble.
3

Lightningboy added 15:19 - Dec 12
Clinging on when we should've been 3 or 4 up..i'll take 3 points but Jeeeezus,what has happened to this club of ours style of football? - absolutely terrible.
15

ShropshireBluenago09 added 15:20 - Dec 12
Another solid away performance, 3pts gained. On another day Daryl Murphy could have easily scored a hatrick. We didn't take our chances and allowed MK too much possession 2nd half, but a good defensive display. We need to retain the ball much better if we are to have any hope of the play-offs or better.
4

TractorBeezer added 15:22 - Dec 12
Rather a drab game but 3 vital points gained. Defence looked quite solid (especially Knudsen) except for a period of MKD's flurry of activity at the 80 minutes mark. We had a few chances but not that clear cut. Sears robbed by the lino when called offside in his own half! McGoldrick showed a touch of class during his brief appearance.
Overall, we did the business so most grateful for that.
4

TimmyH added 15:26 - Dec 12
Well done lads on the 3 points today and to collect all 9 points away at the struggling clubs is always easier said than done.
Comparisons with the Charlton game, MK like to play deck football but yet agin not decisive enough in the final third and poor at the back and it didn't take a lot for us to create chances (mainly on the break).

Mick has tactically got these 3 games right by playing deep but the worrying aspect is just how little passing and possession football we actually do, even when we lost the ball in their half they passed quite easily through us and it took 76 minutes for our first corner which says it all. Over the whole game MK were the better passing team but not where it matters and that has been the difference.

Will be interesting to see how we fair away at Fulham mid-week, by the way thought today's game was poorply officiated (umpteen off side decisions wrong).
9

WhoisJimmyJuan added 15:31 - Dec 12
Definitely our most stylish display since last week.
0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 15:48 - Dec 12
Six points out of nine on TV is not a bad return. Bit sweaty towards the end, but we hung on. Cardiff are currently nicking our 6th place, but we're still very much in it. Two incorrectly judged offsides. I somehow doubt Murph would have scored, but I'm pretty sure Freddy would. 2-0 and it would have been game over. As it was, it was a drab match, but who cares? We won!
2

BlueandTruesince82 added 16:00 - Dec 12
Was at the game, it wasn't great but the wind whips round the stadium which makes playing good football hard.

We should have had more goals and agree we sat back to much after an early goal however they never really looked like scoring, almost all of Gerks work was done saving shots from a distance.

Dons offers very little going forward, Town lacked a clinical finish but defended resolutely in tough gust conditions.

Also the 3000 town fans that out sang 10000 dons fans for 90 mins were excllent today. Great away support as always
8

oldbri added 16:23 - Dec 12
I can't work out why Gerks took all his goal kicks by lumping the ball up the field by passing our players and giving the ball to the oppositon.
No wonder MKD had the majority of the posession. Still 3 points on the road is a good result .
3

blueboy1981 added 16:44 - Dec 12
Good 3 points ......... but how the hell did we do that ?

After scoring the early goal we looked lost as to what to do next - never the less we had a few other chances that should have been put away, which would not have reflected fairly on the balance of the game.

Sears ? .......... such a tragic waste, playing where he is. So much more to offer than is being asked.

Don't like to criticise officials but today they left a bit to be desired.

I reckon Robinson can feel somewhat done this evening - but hey ho it's Xmas - and 3 points it is - to us.

9

carsey added 16:45 - Dec 12
That was horrible to watch and the only saving grace is that we won and got 3 points. Sears does work hard out wide but is totally wasted. Murphy should have scored at least one but worked hard for the cause. Thought AMH was close to losing his temper today and couldn't get in the game but still applied himself well in defensive duties. we really must get the team as a whole to try to keep the ball and make the opposition work for it. There are times when a big boot is required but not everytime we get it. I agree with those who have picked out Knudsen and Gerkin for special mention both much improved today and Gerkin saved 2 points when called upon.
For me the biggest disappointment was McGoldrick - clearly nowhere near fit and no obvious sign of him having the desire to work for the team. He was on less then 10 minutes and was weak in the tackle, made no telling passes and failed to beat an opposition player. Such a shame when he has been bigged up by McCarthy and others as being a possible saviour of the season.
Looking forward to getting Frazer and Bru back - hopefully Tuesday vs Fulham.
7

IpswichT62OldBoy added 17:00 - Dec 12
Still 6th results having all fallen our way
3


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