Millers brought down to earth by brilliant Bamford
For the second time in October MK Dons were up against a newly promoted side. This came in the form of Steve Evans Rotherham United. This wasn't just any home game. Rotherham's arrival in MK1 marked the first game at the newly completed Stadium:MK and the home side wanted to mark it with a win. The 11,564 fans that turned out on Family Dons Day were going to be in for a treat.
Robinson was without Luke Chadwick from last weekend's loss to table topping Orient however welcomed back first choice 'keeper David Martin. Ben Reeves was handed just his second league start and Jason Banton was recalled. Lee Hodson took up his place on the bench after returning from international duty with Northern Ireland. Steve Evans opted for an immediate return for Michael O'Connor and ex-Wycombe striker Alex Revell started. Fellow ex-Wycombe player Scott Shearer was between the sticks and former Peterborough midfielder Lee Frecklington started.
Both teams had suffered disappointing defeats the week before as the hosts surrendered a 1-0 lead against Leyton Orient and Rotherham suffered a thrashing from Swindon at home, 4-0.
The Dons, unbeaten at home, started the brighter and it wasn't long before Bamford was in the action. 2 Rotherham defenders failed to deal with Banton's pass, falling at the feet of Bamford but the striker was thwarted by Millers' keeper Shearer who diverted the ball out for a corner via his legs.
In an exchange of chances, Revell was put through by Ben Pringle, his shot was smartly saved by the returning Martin.
Next to go close once again was the home side. Daniel Powell ran at left back Joe Skarz who was reluctant to tackle. Powell took aim low and across goal but Shearer could only parry, following up was Bamford who slid in under pressure but couldn't quite reach the loose ball allowing a greatful Shearer to gather comfortably.
David Martin was then called upon for the second time. Darren Potter's poor touch allowed Pringle to dispossess him as the ball once again fell to Revell, his second one on one chance resulted in the same outcome as the first as Martin stood firm to block the strikers effort.
Robinson's men then moved into their next gear. Shaun Williams' smart free kick from 30 yards drew another smart save from the busy Shearer.
On half time, the Dons finally broke the stubborn Rotherham deadlock. Bamford's lofted ball took the Millers' back line out the game and Stephen Gleeson, who was running onto the ball, was unfairly brought down by the returning Michael O'Connor. O'Connor was dismissed due to him being the last man. Regular penalty taker Williams stepped up and squeezed the ball (just) under Shearer in front of 1,400 travelling fans and that was the half.
The impressive Martin was replaced at half time due to a tight calf, Ian McLoughin replacing him as Millers' boss Evans was banished to the stands by referee Bobby Madley.
The second period saw no change in the run of play, the dangerous Bamford, Banton and vice-captain Stephen Gleeson all going close but the Dons needed to kill the game off and the longer that went on, the longer Rotherham looked like coming back into it.
However shooting towards their favoured Cowshed end, the second came. More good work from Powell who had the beating of Skarz saw him fire his low cross across goal, this time Shearer could only parry to Ben Reeves who couldn't miss from 2 yards. His tap in was his first league goal for the Dons and undoubtedly will be his easiest however long he stays at Stadium:MK.
2-0 up and cruising, MK looked like 3 points were in the bag. After the travelling fans had finally decided it wasn't the best idea to fight amongst themselves a pinpoint cross from the right found the head of Frecklington who guided his cushioned header back across McLoughlin into the bottom corner to give the Yorkshire side a lifeline with 17 minutes left.
Within 2 minutes Rotherham were well and truly back in the game. A monstrous punt forward by Shearer headed for the nervy Tom Flanagan and the only thing the centre back could do was use his head to loop the ball over a helpless McLoughlin much to the delight of the away support. In just 120 seconds the game had been completely turned on its head to the visiting side's credit.
That left quarter of an hour for a winner to be found. 5 minutes later Otsemobor and goalscorer Reeves were replaced by George Baldock and Izale McLeod as the Dons went for it with 2 up front.
Pressure from the Dons amounted to nothing time and time again however in the 88th minute, a moment of brilliance from that man Bamford gave the Dons all 3 points. Gleeson's ball into McLeod bounced off him (completely intentionally of course) and fell to Bamford. The 20 year old was onto it in a flash and with his so called 'weaker' foot, placed his shot to perfection into the top corner out of reach of Shearer to send Stadium:MK into raptures. That goal taking Bamford to the top of the goalscoring charts in all 4 divisions in England, you just can't stop him can you?
With that saw Rotherham's hopes dwindle and the game end, a magnificent way to end a special piece of history for MK Dons. Rotherham fought hard with 10 but were simply undone with a piece of brilliance, where would MK Dons be without him...
Robinson's side face another home tie with Carlisle on Tuesday whereas Rotherham host struggling Tranmere.
Robinson was without Luke Chadwick from last weekend's loss to table topping Orient however welcomed back first choice 'keeper David Martin. Ben Reeves was handed just his second league start and Jason Banton was recalled. Lee Hodson took up his place on the bench after returning from international duty with Northern Ireland. Steve Evans opted for an immediate return for Michael O'Connor and ex-Wycombe striker Alex Revell started. Fellow ex-Wycombe player Scott Shearer was between the sticks and former Peterborough midfielder Lee Frecklington started.
Both teams had suffered disappointing defeats the week before as the hosts surrendered a 1-0 lead against Leyton Orient and Rotherham suffered a thrashing from Swindon at home, 4-0.
The Dons, unbeaten at home, started the brighter and it wasn't long before Bamford was in the action. 2 Rotherham defenders failed to deal with Banton's pass, falling at the feet of Bamford but the striker was thwarted by Millers' keeper Shearer who diverted the ball out for a corner via his legs.
In an exchange of chances, Revell was put through by Ben Pringle, his shot was smartly saved by the returning Martin.
Next to go close once again was the home side. Daniel Powell ran at left back Joe Skarz who was reluctant to tackle. Powell took aim low and across goal but Shearer could only parry, following up was Bamford who slid in under pressure but couldn't quite reach the loose ball allowing a greatful Shearer to gather comfortably.
David Martin was then called upon for the second time. Darren Potter's poor touch allowed Pringle to dispossess him as the ball once again fell to Revell, his second one on one chance resulted in the same outcome as the first as Martin stood firm to block the strikers effort.
Robinson's men then moved into their next gear. Shaun Williams' smart free kick from 30 yards drew another smart save from the busy Shearer.
On half time, the Dons finally broke the stubborn Rotherham deadlock. Bamford's lofted ball took the Millers' back line out the game and Stephen Gleeson, who was running onto the ball, was unfairly brought down by the returning Michael O'Connor. O'Connor was dismissed due to him being the last man. Regular penalty taker Williams stepped up and squeezed the ball (just) under Shearer in front of 1,400 travelling fans and that was the half.
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| Williams scoring his 10th league penalty for MK Dons |
The impressive Martin was replaced at half time due to a tight calf, Ian McLoughin replacing him as Millers' boss Evans was banished to the stands by referee Bobby Madley.
The second period saw no change in the run of play, the dangerous Bamford, Banton and vice-captain Stephen Gleeson all going close but the Dons needed to kill the game off and the longer that went on, the longer Rotherham looked like coming back into it.
However shooting towards their favoured Cowshed end, the second came. More good work from Powell who had the beating of Skarz saw him fire his low cross across goal, this time Shearer could only parry to Ben Reeves who couldn't miss from 2 yards. His tap in was his first league goal for the Dons and undoubtedly will be his easiest however long he stays at Stadium:MK.
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| Reeves tapped home for no.2 |
2-0 up and cruising, MK looked like 3 points were in the bag. After the travelling fans had finally decided it wasn't the best idea to fight amongst themselves a pinpoint cross from the right found the head of Frecklington who guided his cushioned header back across McLoughlin into the bottom corner to give the Yorkshire side a lifeline with 17 minutes left.
Within 2 minutes Rotherham were well and truly back in the game. A monstrous punt forward by Shearer headed for the nervy Tom Flanagan and the only thing the centre back could do was use his head to loop the ball over a helpless McLoughlin much to the delight of the away support. In just 120 seconds the game had been completely turned on its head to the visiting side's credit.
That left quarter of an hour for a winner to be found. 5 minutes later Otsemobor and goalscorer Reeves were replaced by George Baldock and Izale McLeod as the Dons went for it with 2 up front.
Pressure from the Dons amounted to nothing time and time again however in the 88th minute, a moment of brilliance from that man Bamford gave the Dons all 3 points. Gleeson's ball into McLeod bounced off him (completely intentionally of course) and fell to Bamford. The 20 year old was onto it in a flash and with his so called 'weaker' foot, placed his shot to perfection into the top corner out of reach of Shearer to send Stadium:MK into raptures. That goal taking Bamford to the top of the goalscoring charts in all 4 divisions in England, you just can't stop him can you?
 |
| Bamford's sweet strike was the difference |
With that saw Rotherham's hopes dwindle and the game end, a magnificent way to end a special piece of history for MK Dons. Rotherham fought hard with 10 but were simply undone with a piece of brilliance, where would MK Dons be without him...
Robinson's side face another home tie with Carlisle on Tuesday whereas Rotherham host struggling Tranmere.
MK Dons:
1. David Martin (16. Ian McLoughlin) 2. Jon Otsemobor (18. George Baldock) 3. Dean Lewington 4. Tom Flanagan 6. Shaun Williams 7. Stephen Gleeson 8. Darren Potter 12. Ben Reeves (13. Izale McLeod) 15. Patrick Bamford 17. Daniel Powell 21. Jason Banton
Subs not used: 5. Lee Hodson 11. Alan Smith 20. Giorgio Rasulo 22. Samir Carruthers
Goals: Williams 45' (Pen) Reeves 66' Bamford 88'
Booked: Williams, Potter, Bamford
Rotherham:
1. Scott Shearer 2. Richard Brindley 3. Joe Skarz 4. Kari Arnason 8. Lee Frecklington 9. Alex Revell (25. Tom Eaves) 10. Michael O'connor 15. Robert Milsom 18. Ben Pringle (17. Daniel Nardiello) 20. Craig Morgan 22. Kieran Agard
Subs not used: 21. Adam Collin 6. Pablo Mills 14. Mark Bradley 16. Matt Tubbs 23. Michael Tidser
Goals: Frecklington 73' Flanagan (OG) 75'
Booked: Brindley, O'Connor, Frecklington
Off: O'Connor
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