A tight affair ends all square as the Dons draw at Stadium MK

MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon were left to share the spoils in a closely fought contest at Stadium MK, a game which saw both goals arrive in the first 15 minutes.

In a match that lacked any real quality, MK had controlled a heavy percentage of possession, racking up 69% in their favour. AFC seemed comfortable in allowing MK to build their attacks within their own half, only really pressurising the ball once it reached the centre line of the field.

MK did have the ball in the Wimbledon net inside 45 seconds, only for Cameron Jerome’s effort ruled out for offside, despite it appearing incredibly close. AFC Wimbledon did however manage to draw first blood thanks to Joe Piggott’s early strike after ten minutes, latching onto a hopeful long pass over the top of defence, outmuscling Warren O’Hora before rounding the goalkeeper and firing into an open net.

A deserved equaliser came just three minutes later after brilliant work by Jerome in the build-up. After being fed the ball on the edge of the box, the striker powered away from his defender and once reaching the six-yard line, a deliciously inviting pass was player for Scott Fraser to stab home.
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There were two strong penalty claims for the Buckinghamshire side, both on Matthew Sorinola, who in the first half went down following a delightful pass from Dean Lewington, and in the second half felt pushed over but both appeals were waved away by referee Christopher Sarginson, something Russell Martin will not be happy with as both requests seemed credible.

After the interval there were half-chances for the home side, all falling to Jerome who blazed over the bar on more than occasion from close range, but the best chance for the hosts was after 68 minutes when Matthew Sorinola found himself with time and space on the edge of the box before dragging his shot narrowly wide.

The best two chances of the second half fell to Joe Piggott and Steve Seddon for the side from London. On the hour mark, thanks to glorious work by Piggott keeping the ball in play, he whipped a devilish cross onto the head of Seddon whose powerful header was turned away smartly by Andrew Fisher.

The second of the two wonderful opportunities fell to the right foot of Piggott, who after a superb cross from Shane McLoughlin struck a low, hard volley which was brilliantly denied by Fisher once again.
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AFC were left to rue failing to capitalise on these two chances, but MK will be thankful for their keeper’s handling. A niggly affair throughout, which saw Matthew Sorinola, Daniel Harvie and Callum Reilly receiving cautions for their respective sides.

Despite a flurry of corners for both teams in the final ten minutes of the match, there was never a chance of any substance created and both sides leave Stadium MK with a level of frustration for not taking all the full three points.

This result means MK Dons find themselves 19th in the Sky Bet League One table with nine points, whilst AFC Wimbledon sit 11th with 13 points to their name, both with 10 games played.

MK Dons: Andrew Fisher (GK), Dean Lewington (C), Richard Keogh, Regan Poole, Scott Fraser, Stephen Walker (Carlton Morris 60’), Warren O’Hora, Lasse Sørensen (Ben Gladwin 74’), Jordan Houghton, Matthew Sorinola (Daniel Harvie 79’), Cameron Jerome.

Goal: Fraser 13’
Booked: Sorinola, Harvie.

Unused subs: Lee Nicholls, George Williams, David Kasumu, Joe Mason.

AFC Wimbledon: Connal Trueman (GK), Daniel Csoka, Alex Woodyard, Terell Thomas, Anthony Hartigan, Jack Rudoni (Ethan Chislett 68’), Shane McLoughlin, Paul Kalambayi, Callum Reilly, Joe Piggott (C), Steve Seddon.

Goal: Piggott 10’
Booked: Reilly.

Unused subs: Nik Tzanev, Will Nightingale, Cheye Alexander, Ollie Palmer, Nester Guinness-Walker, Ryan Longman.

Man of the Match: Dean Lewington (MK Dons)

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