MK Dons 2-3 Bradford

Sloppy Stadium:MK performance punished by Brutal Bradford

On a day of refereeing controversy and bad decisions, referee Gavin Ward was in the thick of it in a goalfest at Stadium:MK.

Bradford traveled South having not won since October the 5th and were keen to take advantage of the home side's inconsistency this season.  Karl Robinson's side had't won 2 league games in a row all season.  Something was going to give.  The last time these 2 sides met in the league the Dons were crowned League Two champions but was it to be all smiles for the Milton Keynes outfit again?

The big team news for the Dons was that Dele Alli returned for the first time since September the 28th.  Bradford's team consisted of Northern Ireland international defender Rory McArdle, pacey winger Kyel Reid and successful striker pairing James Hanson and the deadly Nahki Wells that famously fired the Bantams to Wembley twice last season. 

The returning Alli was showing almost 10,000 fans why he is an England youth player as within the first 5 minutes he was involved twice, laying on chances for Izale McLeod and then winning a free kick.  Irishman Shaun Williams stepped up and his well placed free kick struck Jon McLaughlin's crossbar, an early warning for the visiting side.

Patrick Bamford, fresh off his England u21 debut, was keen to stop his goal scoring drought that hasn't seen him hit the net since the 19th of October and he was handed his first chance on 13 minutes as his header from Williams' corner flew just past the post.

All the early pressure was from the home side, however it was to be Bradford to go ahead.  A debatable free kick handed to the Yorkshire side by referee Ward as Lewington seemed to get the ball.  The Dons, not switched on from the free kick, allowed Wells in behind them and the Bermudan's glancing half volley landed out of Ian McLoughlin's grasp and in the bottom corner.  Wells was showing again he only needs one chance to cause damage.

Against the run of play the hosts were left shocked and frustrated. That settled the game down and an exchange of half chances for Daniel Powell, Reid and Bamford.

However the men from MK1 kept going and after 35 minutes they had what they deserved, ex-Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Darren Potter's inch perfect ball took the Bradford defence completely out the game and at the feet of Bamford.  The on-loan forward wasn't be denied for the 5th game in a row as he slid the ball underneath McLaughlin to level it up. 1 a piece at Stadium:MK as the two of the best strikers in the league notched.  The game looked finely poised as we headed towards half time.

Bamford leveled it

The Dons went in search for the lead and it was Bamford who went close again, skimming the crossbar.  Bradford weren't going to sit back and let the home side come onto them as referee Ward was involved again. Kyel Reid took the ball down the Bradford left.  Hodson was adamant the ball had crossed the line for a Dons throw in but the flag, nor whistle, never came. Reid charged for the box and his wayward cross floated towards the far corner, McLoughlin misjudged the flight and could only watch as Reid's 'cross' sailed over his head and in.  The Dons were stunned for the second time.  Fuming for the second time. 

There was barely any time to restart and that was half time in Milton Keynes. 2-1 Bradford.

Robinson's men came out looking to turn the undeserved deficit around as quick as possible as McLeod and Bamford's link up looked like it was going to cause problems.  At the other end 6 ft 4 inch James Hanson was using his height well to climb above the Dons defence and head towards goal yet none of his attempts found the target.

With an hour gone Robinson threw his first roll of the dice as Ben Reeves was introduced in place of McLeod. Reeves was immediately involved, constantly looking to get on the ball. His fierce right footed shot whistled past the right hand post. 

As the game entered its last 20 minutes Ward decided he'd make it a hat-trick of involvements.  Man of the match Alli surged into the box and was blatantly tripped by goalscorer Wells.  Referee Ward was within 10 yards and his assistant 15 yet it had to be left to the fourth official to tell Ward to award the Dons a spot kick. Regular penalty taker Williams netted his 5th penalty of the season to level for a second time.

Williams celebrating his 7th of the season

Just over a quarter of an hour for a winner..

The Dons pressured but it was to be Bradford who went ahead again.  A mis-placed pass ended up being played through to James Meredith who squared across the box for Kennedy to finish into an empty net, a third for Bradford that was to finally kill the home side off for just their second home defeat of the season.

Bradford snatched it late

Robinson felt the home side deserved more but mistakes and lack of finishing cost them, Phil Parkinson and his side move back into the top 6 with their first win in 7 and continue their strong start to the season.

MK Dons:

16. Ian McLoughlin 3. Dean Lewington 5. Lee Hodson 6. Shaun Williams 7. Stephen Gleeson 8. Darren Potter 13. Izale McLeod (12. Ben Reeves) 14. Dele Alli 15. Patrick Bamford 17. Daniel Powell 23. Jordan Spence
Subs not used: 50. Charlie Burns 4. Tom Flanagan 11. Alan Smith 18. George Baldock 21. Jason Banton 22. Samir Carruthers
Goals: Bamford 36' Williams 72' (pen)
Booked: Spence, Alli

Bradford: 

1. Jon McLaughlin 2. Stephen Darby 3. James Meredith 7. Kyel Reid (14. Mark Yeates) 8. Jason Kennedy 9. James Hanson 11. Garry Thompson (24. Nathan Doyle) 18. Gary Jones 21. Nahki Wells 22. Matthew Bates 23. Rory McArdle
Suns not used: 12. Connor Ripley 15. Matt Taylor Alan Connell 20. Raffaele De Vita 27. Oliver McBurnie
Goals: Wells 21' Reid 43' Kennedy 85'
Booked: Meredith, Thompson