By Alfie Marlborough
All the action as Dons thrash Morecambe away from home in what was an excellent performance from a strong Dons side.
Team Line-ups:
Morecambe; Ripley, Love, Gibson, Rawson, Delaney, Taylor, Fane, Connolly, Gnahoua, Weir, Bedeau
The Dons; Cumming, Lewington, Tucker, O’Hora, Grigg, Johnson, Grant, Burns, Harvie, Lawrence, Devoy
1’ Darragh Burns kicks us off here at the Mazuma Stadium!
2’ It’s been all Dons so far with the first chance of the game falling for Bradley Johnson who fires straight at Ripley in goal. Devoy getting plenty of the ball in the early stages.
4’ Good play from Morecambe who do well to get the ball in space out wide before Love cross is cleared by Dan Harvie. Dons’ fans in fine voice in the North-west!
9’ Dons domination in the opening minutes here and are playing some lovely football. However, we are unable to threaten the Morecambe defence thus far.
11’ Deano whips in an excellent ball which is met by Darragh Burns who connects poorly with the ball. Ripley remains unthreatened and watches it sail wide.
14’ Morecambe starting to come back in this game now with the Shrimps putting in some dangerous balls.
16’ GOALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! Will Grigg opens the scoring here in Lancashire! Conor Grant drives down the Left-hand side before drilling a low ball to Grigg who flicks it into the net! Will Grigg’s on fire as Dons lead 0-1!
22’ Bradley Johnson robs the hall and drives forward before overhitting a through ball which is comfortably claimed by Ripley.
24’ Dons look defensively sound so far. Nothing yet has really troubled the lads.
26’ Another Dons chance as Burns’ deep cross loops to Dan Harvie who’s header lands on the top of the net.
29’ Dan Harvie is played through and just about manages to reach it before it goes out. His cross rolls through to Devoy who is in plenty of space but an excellent block from the defender denies the midfielder a shot on goal.
31’ An excellent save by Cumming to Deny Morecambe an equaliser. A corner meets Rawson’s head, but Cumming dives and makes a terrific stop.
36’ HES DONE IT AGAIN!!!! Will Grigg taps home to double the Dons’ lead in an identical goal to the first. This time, Dan Harvie drills the ball in from the left and lands at Grigg to grab his second of the half and Dons’ second!
44’ The Dons’ holding onto the ball extremely well as Dan Kemp starts a chant for the crowd. We’re into 1 minute added time!
HALF-TIME: An excellent showing from the Dons so far who are great value for their lead here at the Mazuma Stadium. Grigg scored in the 16th minute after a great passage of play and was in the right spot to put the ball in the back of the net to give the Dons the lead. 20 minutes later and Grigg tucks home for his second to give the Dons a comfortable lead heading into the break!
46’ Second half is underway as Matt Dennis replaces Will Grigg at the break. For Morecambe, new signing Kieran Phillips replaces Bedeau for his debut.
48’ Morecambe started the better of the two sides this half, but the Dons can deal with any potential threat.
50’ Morecambe break through, but Phillips takes a heavy touch which allows Cumming to claim. Moments later, the keeper makes a phenomenal diving save in the top left to deny Morecambe.
55’ A big chance as the Dons yet again get the ball in. Unfortunately, Burns scuffs his shot and Dennis is unable to reach the ball. Dons are starting to get more chances.
57’ Matt Dennis is unable to cut in on his right foot. The ball falls to Bradley Johnson who fires his shot straight at Ripley who claims with ease.
60’ Dons are let off big time as Jensen Weir somehow puts wide from 6 yards out. Irish duo Darragh Burns, and Dawson Devoy make way for Ethan Robson and Matt Smith.
62’ ITS THREE!!!! Conor Grant slots the ball home in the bottom right-hand corner after being played through by a wonderful Lawrence ball. The Dons are in Cruise Control here.
64’ A corner is swung in by Matt Smith and is met by Jack Tucker whose header does not trouble Ripley.
66’ ITS FOUR!!! A lose touch from Rawson meets Johnson who is playing a blinder. He plays Dennis through who slots calmly into the bottom corner. It’s been too easy for the Dons!
71’ A double change from Morecambe as Caleb Watts and Shane McLoughlin replace Connolly and Fane.
73’ It’s been chance after chance for Dons this afternoon as Dennis is played through, but Ripley manages to get there before him.
74’ O’Hora misses the ball, and a chance is deflected out for a corner which leads to nothing for the Shrimps.
76’ Goal scorer Conor Grant is down in the box and will be replaced by Louie Barry for the final fifteen minutes or so.
78’ Morecambe make another change as Cooney replaces Delaney.
81’ Dennis beats his man for pace as a ball over the top reaches the striker whose shot is well saved by Ripley and goes out for a corner. The corner finds Johnson who heads narrowly wide.
83’ Matt Dennis has been immense since coming on for Grigg at the break. He gets past his man before drilling it in to Johnson, but Ripley claims the ball.
85’ Louie Barry has a chance from out far which makes Ripley scramble and parry away out for a corner which comes to nothing.
87’ Daniel Harvie makes way for Zak Jules who gets a run out for the final few minutes.
89’ Morecambe have a free-kick about 25 yards out. It’s well taken but Cumming makes a good diving save to protect his clean sheet.
90’ Phillips fires wide for Morecambe as we head into 3 additional minutes here at the Mazuma stadium.
90+2’ Love’s long-range effort is fired well wide and over.
FULL TIME: The final whistle goes here in Lancashire and the Dons to 0-4 victory. We climb up to 13th in the table and make it three wins from four in all competitions.
Next up, we host Cheltenham Town in the Papa John’s Trophy. A great opportunity for some players to get some minutes.
