Match Report by Alfie Marlborough
The Dons lose out yet again to the League Leaders who run out 1-4 winners at Stadium MK this afternoon after a clinical display to send Argyle four points clear at the top of the table.
Team Lineups:
The Dons; Cumming, Lewington, O’Hora, McEachran, Grigg, Holland, Oyegoke, Johnson, Barry, Harvie, Jules
Argyle; Cooper, Houghton, Wilson, Butcher, Edwards, Ennis, Mumba, Azaz, Whittaker, Randell, Lonwijk
First-Half:
It was a quick start from the Dons when Louie Barry made a darting run forward on the left hand side within the first minute. His cross was met by Grigg who couldn’t get enough on his header to direct it towards goal.
Moments later, Morgan Whittaker found space on the right hand side before cutting it back towards Wilson but his wild effort was high and wide leaving Cumming untroubled.
A decent start was short lived for the Dons when Plymouth took the lead shortly after the eighth minute thanks to Morgan Whittaker who was looking a real threat down the right flank was open in space before cutting it on to his left foot. The effort was a poor one but a howler from Cumming meant it rolled over the line to give the visitors the lead. 0-1.
Argyle carried on pressing relentlessly and went close to doubling their advantage. Whittaker yet again found himself in plenty of space. The winger’s low cross landed at the feet of Tom Edwards who’s shot from close range was well blocked by Oyegoke. Straight after, Whittaker should score after a ball over the top finds him well but the shot which followed was dragged wide.
Louie Barry should have equalised for the Dons after being one-on-one with the keeper after Bradley Johnson’s ball over the top reaches the young winger. However, He couldn’t get the ball out of his feet and gave the Argyle keeper no need to worry.
Just fifteen minutes later, the visitors doubled their advantage through Bali Mumba who made an exceptional start to the game. Plymouth passed it around very well before it being threading it through to Mumba who tucked it home past Cumming from close. 0-2.
Ten minutes later from the Second, Argyle made it a third through Fin Azaz after McEachran’s poor pass is straight to the midfielder who has time and space and picks out the bottom corner to add another one for the hosts. 0-3.
As we headed into three additional minutes to close a horror-show of a first-half, Some nice passing around the park from the Dons led to a chance for Grigg but his shot from a tight angle went straight into the side netting.
Half-Time. 0-3
A clinical showing from the visitors had surely put the game to bed after just one half of football. The Dons did played some alright football but at the end of the day, it was the same old story for a Destroyed Dons side. Boos rung around the stadium as the players made their way off the field for the break. However, goals from Whittaker, Azaz and Mumba meant the visitors were strolling to victory in Milton Keynes.
Second Half:
Plymouth were Hungry when the second half begun and it didn’t take long for them to go close. Whittaker’s shot from a tight angle narrowly missed the goal to deny the visitors a fourth.
The Dons got one back through Will Grigg just four minutes into the second half after being slipped through by Barry who waited for the perfect shooting opportunity and was able to slot it past Cooper. 1-3
The Dons nearly made it two but was denied by the offside flag and a magnificent save from Cooper. A beautiful ball landed directly on the head of Bradley Johnson who’s header towards the bottom left corner forced Cooper to make a wonderful save.
Plymouth added a fourth On the hour mark after another Dons mistake. This time Fin Azaz who picked up a loose ball from Barry before placing the ball perfectly in the bottom corner from just outside the box. The Dons shot themselves in the foot yet again just when the Dons started to look promising. 1-4.
Cumming makes a big save to deny Ryan Hardie from making it five after going one-on-on. Oyegoke’s poor pass went straight to Hardie who began running towards goal. Lewington took out Houghton to prevent an extra man from joining the attack. Credit to Cumming who made himself big to deny the number nine.
Cumming went into the book when he came out as Hardie was played through and had a clear way through to goal. He skipped past Cumming but was Hauled down by the keeper. The free-kick that followed was whipped in and found a Plymouth player but the effort was weak before being claimed with ease.
Full-Time: 1-4
It’s a fourth straight league defeat for the Dons as we suffer a 1-4 defeat to League Leaders Plymouth Argyle. A brace from Azaz alongside goals from Mumba and Whittaker allowed the visitors to coast their way to victory in Buckinghamshire despite an early second-half goal from Grigg. Several mistakes were made yet again from the Dons – three of which led to goals for Argyle.
Next up we turn our attention to the Papa Johns Trophy where a win against Walsall would likely see the Dons head through to the next stage of the competition.
