PREVIEW: MK DONS

31 August 2018

League Two’s second-highest scorers go up against its best defence tomorrow in a clash that Phil Brown has labelled ‘mouth-watering.’

Town have scored ten goals this season and have the division’s top goalscorer, in Michael Doughty, looking to add to his tally of five tomorrow. The midfielder has been directly involved in 70% of Swindon’s goals this season.

Steven Alzate is flying high inidividually as he sits top of the League Two assist charts with three assists so far – averaging 90 minutes per assist.

The Robins are unbeaten at home following two thrillers at the County Ground – against newly-promoted Macclesfield and Tranmere – but Phil Brown's boys will be looking to do it in simpler fashion. We boast the most points secured from losing positions so far this season – seven points from five games.

After two consecutive draws away from home, Swindon are three games unbeaten and a sizeable portion of that run can be attributed to some outstanding defensive performances from the Robins back line. Sid Nelson and Olly Lancashire, in particular, were in the wars in last week's draws.

The Oppo: MK Dons

The Dons have started the season in fine fettle – they’re unbeaten in the league and boast an impressive defensive record.

Their back four is the second-best in the country at this point with Liverpool the only side to concede less than two goals – Tisdale’s side are level with Middlesbrough and Barnsley on this total.

They’ll be looking for their fifth clean sheet of the season tomorrow against Town, who have been one of the league’s highest scorers, second only behind table-toppers Lincoln City.

Tomorrow’s game is their third away outing this campaign with a win at Oldham on the opening day of the season and a draw at Crewe forming part of their impressive run through August.

Kieran Agard is the Milton Keynes side’s top scorer with two goals in five appearances.

Head-to-Head

Town don’t boast the greatest record against the Dons – our last win came in 2012 with Matt Ritchie scoring the only goal of the game.

25 Aug 2012 Swindon Town v Milton Keynes Dons W 1-0 League One

09 Apr 2013 Milton Keynes Dons v Swindon Town L 2-0 League One

07 Sep 2013 Milton Keynes Dons v Swindon Town D 1-1 League One

08 Mar 2014 Swindon Town v Milton Keynes Dons L 1-2 League One

01 Nov 2014 Milton Keynes Dons v Swindon Town L 2-1 League One

04 Apr 2015 Swindon Town v Milton Keynes Dons L 0-3 League One

30 Dec 2016 Milton Keynes Dons v Swindon Town L 3-2 League One

08 Apr 2017 Swindon Town v Milton Keynes Dons D 1-1 League One

The Gaffer

Paul Tisdale started his managerial career at Team Bath after his playing career was cut short by injury – he guided them to First Round proper of the FA Cup before taking the managerial position at Exeter City in 2006.

Within his first 12 months at Exeter, Tisdale led the Grecians to their first appearance in the play-offs as they eventually lost to Morecambe 2-1 at Wembley in 2007. The following campaign, Tisdale again reached the play-offs - they ran out 1-0 winners over Cambridge United at Wembley, becoming one of only four managers to lead the Devon-based side to promotion.

The success continued at Exeter and in the 2010/11 season, Tisdale guided Exeter to their best-ever finish as he guided the club to eighth place – just one point off a play-off position.

The following season Exeter suffered relegation from Sky Bet League One but the good times returned in the 2016/17 season as their exploits saw them finish in fifth place – earning a play-off position in the process. Unfortunately, they fell at the final hurdle as Blackpool ran out 2-1 winners in the Final.

Last year, he ensured another play-off place, just four points off of automatic promotion, and having seen off Lincoln City, they ultimately fell to Mark Robins’ Coventry City.

After his 12-year spell in Devon, Tisdale took up the position at Stadium MK over the summer.

Tickets

Tickets are available on the day to both home and away supporters.

Match Reports

REPORT: SWINDON TOWN 1-1 MK DONS

Town draw with MK Dons to maintain their unbeaten record at the County Ground.

1 September 2018

Elijah Adebayo scored with virtually the last kick of the game to rescue a point for Town, who trailed for almost the whole game at home to MK Dons.

Adebayo drove home to break Dons hearts and keep the Robins’ unbeaten home record intact.

Joe Walsh opened the scoring for the visitors four minutes in from a corner before 90 minutes of quite scrappy and dogged football was played.

The visitors defended well but were ultimately undone in the last minute by the loanee's snapshot, as the home side threw everything towards getting an equaliser.

For the third Saturday running, Town conceded early but came back to salvage something from the game.

First half:

Town started brightly but after Martin Smith drove an effort from 25 yards just over the bar, MK Dons worked their way forward, earning a corner in front of the Arkell’s Stand.

It was driven in low and met by Joe Walsh – the MK Dons defender finished emphatically leaving Vigouroux with no chance as the ball crashed into the roof of the net.

The Town reacted well to going one down and, as they have done all season, moved the ball well but it was a half of frustration as they came up against the sternest defence in the division so far.

Michael Doughty flicked a header to the near post after Jermaine McGlashan worked half a yard on the right – Dons keeper, Lee Nicholls tipped over the bar.

Paul Tisdale’s side offered little after their goal but the game became fragmented and neither side developed any sort of rhythm.

It took one long and very high punt from Martin Smith to fashion the Town’s next chance – Anderson chased the kick for territory and won the ball on the bounce and played to Doughty who was fouled just on the edge of the box.

Doughty stepped up to take but couldn’t quite get it up and down and into the net.

Just before half-time, most of the 6,62-strong crowd at the County Ground thought it was level - Marc Richards couldn't quite get enough on Keshi Anderson's cross-cum-shot. The ball flew centimetres past the post.

Second half:

It was more of the same after the restart – Town dominated but were thwarted time and time again.

But as Phil Brown’s side threw more men forward, the game opened up as MK looked dangerous on the break.

Lawrence Vigouroux was called into action from distance several times - Dean Lewington had a free-kick tipped away. He had to be sharp to prevent Robbie Simpson from doubling the hosts lead - the Town keeper had to dive low and show the reactions that got him a Chile call-up.

With the clock ticking, the referee took centre stage as Steven Alzate was felled inside the box – but a free-kick was given much to the dismay of the Town End who were certain that the foul occurred inside.

Matt Taylor whipped the resulting set-piece into the side netting.

Keshi Anderson looked the most likely to break down the away defence and consistently drove at the opposition back four – after one ranging run he found Adebayo whose shot was blocked well by Dean Lewington.

That theme continued – Doughty had a shot deflected away on 67 minutes before Vigouroux was called into action. He had to react well to stop Lewington’s effort.

It was ball after ball pumped into the MK Dons box but their back four was resolute but just as it seemed as if the game was gone, Adebayo struck.

Ellis Iandolo, on as a late substitute, rose and , as he fell to the ground, managed to touch down to the young striker who made no mistake in drilling past Nicholls in the Dons’ goal.

Swindon Town

Standings

PREVIEW: MK DONS

HIGHLIGHTS: SWINDON TOWN - MK DONS

BROWN: I'VE GOT MIXED EMOTIONS

BROWN: IT'LL BE A TOUGH TEST

IN THE PROGRAMME: MK Dons

REPORT: SWINDON TOWN 1-1 MK DONS

HIGHLIGHTS: SWINDON TOWN - MK DONS

BROWN: I'VE GOT MIXED EMOTIONS

BROWN: IT'LL BE A TOUGH TEST

IN THE PROGRAMME: MK Dons

Standings

Fixture News

HIGHLIGHTS: SWINDON TOWN - MK DONS

BROWN: I'VE GOT MIXED EMOTIONS

BROWN: IT'LL BE A TOUGH TEST

IN THE PROGRAMME: MK Dons

Fixture News

HIGHLIGHTS: SWINDON TOWN - MK DONS

BROWN: I'VE GOT MIXED EMOTIONS

BROWN: IT'LL BE A TOUGH TEST

IN THE PROGRAMME: MK Dons