By Alfie Marlborough
In preparation for tonight’s Carabao Cup clash with Morecambe – we take a walk down memory lane and look back on some of the most memorable moments in the League Cup for the Dons.
Way back when in the 2006/07 campaign, The Dons were able to make it to the third round of the League Cup and the prospect of Tottenham Hotspur coming to town was an exciting one for sure. A 1-0 First Round victory against Colchester United earnt the Dons a trip to Barnsley for the second round where an Aaron Wilbraham brace was enough to cancel out thy tykes’ one goal.
Unfortunately for the Dons, it was not meant to be against the Lilywhites who ran out 0-5 winners at The National Hockey Stadium. Braces from Mido and Defoe and a late strike from Robbie Keane ensured there would be no cup upset.
(Image from Eurosport)
In 2010/11, the Dons reached the third round of the League Cup for just the second time in their short-lived history. A first-round victory against Dagenham & Redbridge through a Jabo Ibhere brace helped the Dons ease their way into the Second Round. The Dons would then host Blackpool in a game that had goals galore. The game was level after 90 minutes three-all. The extra half-an-hour proved vital for the Dons who clinched victory through Lewis Guy just ten minutes from time.
A strong showing in the cup ended in the Midlands against Birmingham City whose quality was too much for the Dons who bowed out of the cup after a three-one defeat. Aaron Wilbraham’s consolation was unable to change the outcome.
(Image from Sky Sports)
2014/15 marked memories that would last a lifetime in the League and the Cup. Promotion to the championship for the first time in the club’s history was made even sweeter earlier that campaign when the Dons reached the fourth Round of the League Cup.
A sweet 3-1 victory over fierce rivals AFC Wimbledon set up the biggest game in the Dons’ history in the second round where one of the European Powerhouses in Manchester United would travel to Milton Keynes in what would surely be a straightforward game for Louie Van Gaal’s Army.
However, that was not the case. Braces from Will Grigg and Benik Afobe secured an unforgettable 4-0 win in front of a packed-out Stadium MK to book a spot in the third round. A Fairytale cup run continued after a 2-0 home win against Bradford City. Another Afobe brace helped the Dons as we eased our way through to the fourth round which would eventually be the end to a special cup run for the Dons with Sheffield United defeating the Dons by two goals to one at Stadium MK.
(Image from Sky Sports)
The 2019/20 season brought many surprises to football and the world. One of those was the Cup Run that led to the Dons hosting at the time European Champions Liverpool at Stadium MK. A penalty shootout win at Kingsmeadow against AFC Wimbledon and a 1-4 smashing against Southend meant potentially another special night was set to happen under the lights at Stadium MK.
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(Image from GOAL.com)
The Reds ran out 0-2 winners despite a solid showing from the Dons who were having a rough patch in the league thanks to injuries and a difficult run of fixtures. Goals from James Milner and Hoever helped the reds progress before eventually being knocked out by Aston Villa in the Quarter Finals.
