MK Dons 'steel' 3 points in Sheffield
The last day of August saw MK Dons' travel to Bramall Lane, the home of David Weir's Sheffield United. Games between the Dons and the Blades had always been close, seeing just 5 goals in 4 previous meetings. MK Dons had come out on top twice, United once and the single draw. Another close, hard fought battle looked on the cards in South Yorkshire.
Karl Robinson was still without Dean Bowditch and Daniel Powell (both injured) however captain Dean Lewington returned at left back and Ben Reeves occupied the substitutes' bench. Izale McLeod was handed a start, along with Samir Carruthers as Patrick Bamford moved out to the wing. David Weir included new signing Jose Baxter with fellow summer recruits Lyle Taylor and Conor Coady joining him. The Blades' team looked strong, fielding Tony McMahon, Harry Maguire, Neill Collins and Michael Doyle amongst others.
Referee David Webb blew and the Dons, in black, kicked the game off. The early pressure came from the home side who went into the game with just one win and one draw to their name this season. Murphy swinging a cross in towards Taylor however the ball was gathered by Dons' keeper David Martin. Sheffield United were playing towards their famous Kop in the first half and the first quarter of an hour saw them obtain many set piece opportunities, yet none of them yielding any noticeable chances.
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| A bruising encounter at Bramall Lane |
Quarter of an hour in and the Dons had their first opening, slick movement down the left saw McLeod in to the six yard box, goal gaping. Players waiting. But not for the first time this season McLeod's final ball let him down, his 'shot' trickling out for a goal kick, much to everyone's disbelief.
United looked to hit back, Taylor and Baxter combining well on a number of occasions and firing shots at goal, neither troubling Martin. The game then became stop start. Fouls became often as both teams looking to increase the intensity. All that was left in the first half was for McLeod to have a strong penalty claim waved away by referee Webb as the Dons' frontman looked to have been shoved by Maguire.
Half time at Bramall Lane, Sheffield United 0-0 MK Dons
The second half was upon us and not long after the restart saw the games best chance so far. Baxter drilling his effort into the foot of Antony Kay, the ball looping up into Taylor's path with the goal at his mercy however he could not convert, his taim shot trickling wide of Martin's right-hand post.
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| Martin's save from McMahon |
The hour mark saw Robinson change it around, McLeod hauled off, Chadwick sent on. Bamford resorted into his more familiar striker role but it was Sheffield United who had the next attempt. Set-piece specialist McMahon saw his free kick smartly saved by David Martin low down to his right.
The next 20 minutes saw both teams go toe to toe, fighting it out for the winner and as the last 5 minutes arrived the game was heading for stalemate. Banton and Carruthers replaced by Baldock and Alli for the Dons whereas Febian Brandy and Joe Ironside were introduced in place of Taylor and Jamie Murphy.
In the 85th minute Ryan Flynn fizzed a cross into the Dons' box which caused havoc within MK's ranks and Brandy found himself with an empty net just 7 yards out and the game looked won. However Brandy could not convert, scuffing his shot wide and leaving the Blades' attack blunt.
From the resulting goal kick Bamford was impeded in the air. The men from MK1 awarded a free kick 30 yards out on the right. Shaun Williams lofted his left-footed cross invitingly towards the back post where Barnsley-born Antony Kay placed his header across George Long and into the far corner, wheeling away into celebration in front of the Kop which rapidly started to empty.
Shortly after 5 minutes of added time were signaled and David Weir had his last throw of the dice. Callum McFadzean on for Flynn. The extra minutes saw no more chances. All that was left was for a frustrated Brandy to go in with a horrific 2-footed lunge on the Dons' Northern Ireland international defender Lee Hodson and was swiftly shown a red card. His 27 minutes to forget were over.
The referee blew to signify MK Dons' second win of the season. Their first away win of the new term and a hard fought one at that. The unbeaten start continues. An old fashioned 'smash and grab' at the oldest league ground in the world.
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Player Ratings:
David Martin- The Dons' number 1 kept his team in the game at times with some impressive saves. 8.5
Lee Hodson- The right back showed his class and was a brick wall throughout. 9
Antony Kay- Another solid show from the Yorkshireman, standing up to everything thrown at him and heading the Dons to victory. 8.5
Shaun Williams- Classy as ever, Williams dictated from the back and provided the assist for his central defensive partner Kay. 8
Dean Lewington- Back from a month out, Lewington was thrown in at the deep end against a strong side and coped well, quiet but effective. 8
Stephen Gleeson- Continued to impress, having to battle hard in the middle of the park. 8
Darren Potter- The ex-Wednesdayite was a thorn in Sheffield United's side. 7.5
Patrick Bamford- Bamford, in an unfamiliar position was forced to work hard and played well. 7.5
Samir Carruthers- Showed his premier league class once again, dancing his way around defenders and linking up well with team mates. 8
Jason Banton- Frozen out by the United rearguard, quiet game and will be looking to improve next time out. 6.5
Izale McLeod- Continues to make the right runs and link up well however his final ball still needs work. 7.5
George Baldock- Came on and looked lively, added energy when rest were tired. 7
Luke Chadwick- Used his experience to guide the Dons to victory and then home. 7.5
Dele Alli- Wasn't given enough time to get into the game, battled hard throughout. 7
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