By Ty Jenner
The curtain falls on MK Dons’ pre-season as they conclude with a comfortable win at Barnet. New signings Will Grigg, Bradley Johnson and Dawson Devoy were the goal scorers in North London.
KEY MOMENTS THROUGHOUT THE GAME
9’ Lovely bit of interplay between Grigg and Lawrence, as the latter was played through on goal, but his shot was saved by Walker’s outstretched left boot.
13’ A quick corner taken from the Dons with Lewington dinking a teasing ball into the 6-yard box, but Louie Barry’s header just goes over.
17’ A chain of shots from MK Dons are either saved by Walker or blocked as Will Grigg, Louie Barry and Conor Grant are all denied.
26’ A long ball over the top sets Grigg through, and as he’s about to pull the trigger, Diarra makes a lunging challenge to divert away for a corner.
32’ Free kick from MK is delivered to the back post, Grant can’t find a teammate in the 6-yard box and is consequently cleared for a corner.
36’ – 0-1 – Henry Lawrence dances down the right and scoops a teasing ball towards Will Grigg, Diarra looked like he would intercept it, but instead helps it on towards the and his header beats Walker to open the scoring.
44’ Big chance for Barnet as a loose ball in midfield sets away … who has just Jamie Cumming to beat but his strike fizzes inches wide.
51’ Audacious free kick from distance by Gorman but his shot goes wide.
53’ A dangerous ball from the left comes to Dan Kemp, but Barnet’s defence manage to block Kemp’s effort at goal and clear.
58’ A recycled ball down the left leads to McEachran’s fierce ball into the box is glanced on by Will Grigg, but former Don Laurie Walker produces another stunning save to tip away a certain goal.
60’ Seconds after coming to the pitch, substitute Darragh Burns makes a surging run down the right and cuts a lovely cross into the area, Will Grigg is on the end of it with a header, but Walker is equal to it as he claims comfortably.
68’ Barnet corner is glanced on at the near post by Harry Pritchard, but it loops just over the top
70’ Recycled to Conor Grant but his shot is saved by Walker’s left boot and away for a corner
71’ – 0-2 – Bradley Johnson scores as he diverts a header from McEachran’s corner towards goal, Laurie Walker gets a touch but cannot prevent it from going in.
73’ A goal line scramble occurs as MK put in a fierce cross from the left, but for Nathan Holland’s shot being saved by Sam Beard’s backside.
76’ – 1-2 – Ryan De Havilland’s deflected shot loops over Cumming who tries to claw the ball away, but he can’t stop it from travelling across the line.
85’ – 1-3 – Warren O’Hora’s long ball over the top set’s Dawson Devoy through one on one who calmly slots past the onrushing Walker to restore the Dons’ 2 goal lead with 5 to go.
89’ Matt Dennis almost gets on the score sheet after a lovely ball from Holland but his shot whistles over the top.
It was a good way to end the pre-season preparations with a good win mirrored with a good performance. There are still minor improvements needed but next weekend the League One season will be upon us, and the Dons have an excellent opportunity to begin the season with a perfect start against Cambridge United.
