MK Dons (H) Match Preview

19 April 2024

MK Dons are the visitors to The Envirovent Stadium this weekend for Town’s final home game of the 2023/24 season, a fixture which plays host to the club’s Supporter Thank You Day.

And Simon Weaver’s side will be looking to finish on a high as they come into the game on the back of a four game unbeaten run at home, extended last week with the 2-2 draw against Sutton United.

Our opponents

After relegation last season following a five year spell in League One MK Dons have rebounded well, securing their place in the playoffs after pushing the top three sides hard over recent months.

It wasn’t all plain sailing as an inconsistent start to the season saw the departure of Graham Alexander after the former Salford boss had only taken charge in the summer. Mike Williamson arrived from Gateshead and has engineered progress over the season, winning 19 of his 34 games in charge so far.

Coming into the game they are in fourth spot and require two points from the final two games to secure that position heading into the playoffs. On the road they have won 10 of 22 games this season.

Earlier this season

In the first ever meeting between the two sides at the end of September a Warren O’Hora own-goal proved to be the difference as Town came away with all three points with a 1-0 victory.

The man in charge

Mike Williamson has been in charge since mid-October, taking charge after the club went eight games without a win.

Williamson had previously been in charge of Gateshead, his first managerial job, guiding the club to promotion from National League North and into a strong position in the National League.

Williamson also earned the manager of the month award in December after posting a 100% record during the month.

During his playing career he made over 400 appearances, predominantly for Newcastle United and Wycombe Wanderers.

Ones to watch

Max Dean leads the scoring charts this season with 14 goals and has shone over the second half of the season.

Midfielder Alex Gilbey has eleven goals and has contributed on a further ten goals whilst Joe Tomlinson has seven goals and six assists.

Jack Payne has also had an impressive season in midfield on loan from Charlton Athletic whilst Stephen Wearne has settled well at the club after following Mike Williamson from Gateshead.

History

The club was founded almost twenty years ago following the relocation of Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes, spending two seasons in League One before relegation to League Two.

The club were promoted to League One at the end of the 2007/08 season, also winning the Football League Trophy, spending seven seasons at that level before being promoted to the Championship. However, the club spent just one season in the second tier before dropping back down.

They were then relegated to League Two at the end of the 2017/18 season before bouncing back under Paul Tisdale at the first attempt. However, a poor start to the season saw Tisdale replaced by Russell Martin, who engineered a spell of success where the club challenged for the playoffs. Following his departure for Swansea the club were relegated at the end of last season.

The club moved to their current stadium, Stadium MK, in 2007.

Team news

Simon Weaver is close to having a fully fit squad to choose from, the only absentee being Liam Gibson who suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury during the warm up vs Sutton.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Town 3-5 MK Dons - Town lose eight goal thriller in final home game of season

21 April 2024

The curtain closed on another season of EFL football at The EnviroVent Stadium as a remarkable game ended 5-3 in favour of visiting MK Dons.

The scoreline was harsh on Town though who struck the woodwork no less than five times, alongside goals from Abraham Odoh and. George Thomson brace.

Despite Town’s attacking exploits, Alex Gilbey, Max Dean, Stephen Wearne, Ellis Harrison and Emre Tezgel were all able to breach the home defence and end Town’s unlikely hopes of a play-off place.

Odoh opened the scoring on 33 minutes after Town’s first encounter with the woodwork of the afternoon, curling home after Daly’s long range effort bounced back off the post.

Gilbey levelled seven minutes later though with a fine edge of the box finish, though Town supporters felt they should have had a free kick as Derrick Abu hit the deck seconds before.

Dean then had the visitors in front for the first time, O’Connor’s interception falling kindly to the forward.

There was still time in the half for Thomson to level though as Town’s number seven struck a trademark free kick into the top right corner, much to the delight of the 3,573 in attendance.

Thomson would score his 17th of the season and put Town back in front early in the second half, finishing well after Odoh had floated a delivery towards the far post.

Minutes later and the tie was level again, a goal kick finding its way through to Wearne through on goal and with plenty of time to slot past Belshaw.

Town almost regained the lead just before the hour mark as another Daly long range effort bounced back off the upright, with the same player striking the woodwork for a third time ten minutes later.

Thomson was next to connect with the frame of the goal as his left footed finish found only the crossbar, leaving Town wondering how they hadn’t got their noses back in front.

MK Dons would take full advantage with a clinical end to the match, Tezgal making it 4-3 on 80 minutes before a powerful Harrison finish three minutes later all but secured the points for the visitors.

Defeat left Town unable to reach the Play-Off places, but still on track for a club record high League Two finish, with Salford away to come next weekend.