By Steve Manning
MK Dons v Taunton Town – FA Cup First 2022/23
Venue: Stadiummk (capacity: 30,500 for football)
Form:
The Dons – Pos: 21 st (League 1) P 16 W 4 D 2 L 10 gf 15 ga 22 gd -7 Pts: 14
Top Scorer: Will Grigg – 5 goals.
Top Assist Provider: Dawson Devoy – 2 assists.
Taunton Town – Pos: 16 th (NLS) P 14 W 4 D 5 L 5 gf 13 ga 15 gd -2 Pts: 17
Head to head record:
There are no previous fixtures between mk dons, and Taunton town since 2004. This is the first competitive fixture between the two clubs.
Previous results:
Dons drew 0-0 with Cheltenham Town in Gloucestershire in their away match in league 1. Taunton Town beat Tonbridge Angels 4-1 at home in their VNLS encounter.
Cheltenham round-up
Skipper Dean Lewington entered the 900 club as the winger/turned left back/turned centre-back reached another milestone in his footballing career.
A game of very few chances for either side was played out at the Completely – Suzuki Stadium. With both sides searching for the elusive points to help drag themselves to relative safety in League One.
The highlight of a cagey opening period in League One was a fine diving save from Dons on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Jamie Cumming, to keep out James Olayinka’s deflected shot in the 39th minute.
At the other end, on-loan Reading goalkeeper Luke Southwood made a comfortable save from Bradley Johnson early on, while Liam Sercombe fired wide for the hosts.
Veteran midfielder Johnson thumped another effort wide three minutes into the second half, as Lewis Freestone made a vital challenge on Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry in the box.
Cheltenham substitute Christian Norton smashed an effort over the crossbar before Ben Williams volleyed high after from Sean Long’s cross from the right.
Ex-Robins favourite Mo Eisa forced keeper Southwood into a one-handed stop in the final seconds of the contest.
And after claiming midweek wins, both teams had to be content with a point in their fight for survival.
How could Dons line up?
There is a possibility for wholesale changes here against non league opposition, an opportunity to field some fringe players, against lower league opposition in Taunton. Although a bannana skin looms.
Possible Dons starting XI: 3-4-2-1
23. Franco Ravizzoli 4. Jack Tucker, 5. Warren O’Hora (c), 33. Zak Jules
12. Daniel Oyegoke, 7. Matt Smith, 8. Ethan Robson, 21. Daniel Harvie
19. Louie Barry, 11. Nathan Holland
10. Mo Eisa
How could Taunton line-up?
There is no information available for the visitors ahead of this fixture.
Possible Taunton starting XI:
GK – Lloyd Irish
DF – Dan Ball, Joe Budd, Jay Foulston, Nick Grimes (c)
MF – Ollie Chamberlain, Lloyd James, Lee Lucas, Ross Staley
Nathaniel Jarvis, Nick McCootie
One to Watch?
Mo Eisa – the comeback kid should get a run out for Liam Manning’s side against Taunton. Very nearly found the net against Cheltenham and could bag a few against the visitors from Somerset.
Score Prediction
Dons 3 Taunton 0
A comfortable win to raise the confidence within the Dons dressing room. A goal fest could be the order of the day.
Goal scorers? Mo Eisa 2, and Matt Smith.
Match Odds supplied by Oddschecker:
Dons win: 4/11 draw: 15/4 Taunton win: 15/2
Dons to win 3-0: 15/2
Memberships are available from the MKDSA Shop on Saturday, and Online via the membership link of the mkdsa website:
For more information on the perks and benefits of buying a subscription to our Supporters Association MKDSA Membership
If you are going to the game, as always I wish you a safe journey, hopefully the name of MK Dons will be in that second round draw hat by the time the full time whistle blows at Stadiummk.
Until Next Time, SM.
