By Jon Harries
Tuesday night saw the Dons finally get into the top 2 at Rotherham’s expense. Facing a Crewe side on the back of 6 defeats in a row you’d be forgiven if you didn’t expect a few goals in this game for the hosts at Stadium MK.
It was a nervous start with not much to shout about until the 24th minute. Patient possession left Lewington in space just inside his own half. His ball over the top was brilliant and the first touch from Parrott was majestic and the second to lob Richards was just perfection. Almost poignant timing as 90 seconds later the whole stadium rose to applaud “One of Our Own” Harry Wilmin who tragically passed away last week, and again, our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
The Dons doubled their lead when Twine found Coventry who found himself with the freedom of Milton Keynes to take a couple of touches and fire past Richards from outside the box. His first career goal and the 175th MK Dons player to score his first goal for the club. Also, in that moment Twine has now the outright record for most goal involvements in a single season (27) beating Izale McCleod (26), the wizard keeps working his magic. In fairness to Crewe, they kept trying to play football and got a consolation goal, but that defeat is another nail in their coffin towards League 2.
Saturday sees the first visit back home as the Dons travel to Plough Lane to visit a team that if they fail to win Saturday will have gone HALF A SEASON without a win, a phenomenal stat. Mark Robinson has been recently replaced by Mark Bowen to try and salvage any hope of survival. Currently 5 points below the dotted line they need to find form and fast, particularly with Morecambe Fleetwood, and Gillingham picking up form. With a fragile defence, lacklustre midfield, and blunt strike force you really can’t see any hope for the “Opponent”.
Will Nightingale, Nesta Guinness Walker have come through their academy and Sam Cosgrove is their version of Simon Church. For the second game running no one has really stood out ahead of Saturday so again no Man in Focus, although if you read the entertaining Trash Talk article ahead of Saturday there really isn’t much optimistic positivity there.
Predicted Line-up
Cumming
Kesler – O’Hora – Darling – Lewington – Harvie
Coventry – McEachran
Parrott – Twine – Eisa.
Why change a winning side, particularly for a game like this. The players mentality will be key given I expect a very hostile atmosphere. The lads will be backed by 200……sorry over 1K fans returning home singing “Loud and Proud” and with that I predict a 3-0 win. Eisa x 2 and Twine. There is a huge gulf in quality (obviously), and I fully expect a clinical and professional performance.
COYD.
