Preview: Morecambe

All you need to know ahead of MK Dons’ trip to the Muzuma Stadium…

23 December 2023

MK Dons travel to Muzuma Stadium for the last Sky Bet League Two fixture before the Christmas break as they look to replace Morecambe in the top ten of the table.

Mike Williamson’s Dons have seen a six-game unbeaten league run following their 2-0 success over Forest green Rovers at Stadium MK. Max Dean opened the scoring before Jack Payne doubled the lead, which saw the home side collect all three points.

The recent run of form has seen MK Dons in contention for a play-off placement. Although, they will need to pass a tough test against the Shrimps before they can possibly replace their upcoming counterpart in the current standings.

Kick-off is at 3:00pm.

THE OPPOSITION
Morecambe were faced with adversity recently when their previous Head Coach Derek Adams, who had fulfilled the role for nearly three years altogether with a brief period at Bradford City in between stints, departed the Lancashire side for Ross County in late November.

Despite this, the reaction from the appointment of the Ged Brannan has seen the hosts earn some impressive results against top-of-the-table opposition, which ultimately has spurred the team to be within one point of a play-off position.

Although, the Dons chase closely behind today’s opponents with just one point currently separating the sides.

TEAM NEWS
MK Dons continue into the festive period without Ash Hunter, Nathan Harness and Jack Tucker, who all continue with their rehabilitation steps.

It was confirmed earlier this week that young forward Matt Dennis will be unavailable for selection after an injury gained against Forest Green Rovers, which will see Dennis side-lined until the new year.

Positively, Ethan Robson made his return to the action in the Dons’ previous fixture at Stadium MK. The midfielder enjoyed a spell until he was substituted off the field during the second half.

MJ Williams will also be available for selection following his one-match ban that the midfielder served last time out.

Morecambe’s goalkeeper Stuart Moore and defender Donald Love will be side-lined through their respective injuries.

THE OFFICIALS
Lewis Smith will be the man in the middle of the Morecambe matchup this afternoon.

Smith has already handed out five red cards on top of his 96 bookings in 23 games so far this season. Following four years in the National League, the referee currently enjoys his first season officiating in the EFL.

The referee will be joined by his Assistants Darren Williams and Kevin Mulraine whilst Johnathon Bickerdike will take up the Fourth Official role.

HEAD-TO-HEAD
MK Dons wins: 7
MK Dons wins at Muzuma Stadium: 3
Last MK Dons win: 1-0, 25 Mar 2023 (Stadium MK)
Biggest MK Dons win: 4-0, 27 Nov 2021 (Muzuma Stadium)

Draws: 1
Last draw: 1-1, 3 May 2008 (Stadium MK)

Morecambe wins: 1
Morecambe wins at Muzuma Stadium: 1
Last Morecambe win: 4-2, 12 Mar 2019 (Muzuma Stadium)
Biggest Morecambe win: 4-2, 12 Mar 2019 (Muzuma Stadium)

ELSEWHERE IN SKY BET LEAGUE TWO
Accrington Stanley v Walsall
Grimsby Town v Harrogate Town
Sutton United v Mansfield Town
Tranmere Rovers v Swindon Town
Wrexham v Newport County

FOLLOW IT LIVE

FOLLOW IT LIVE
Tickets can be purchased on the day of the game at Muzuma Stadium subject to availability.

Can’t make the game? Supporters can follow all the action LIVE with an iFollow MK Dons Audio Match Pass for £2.50 - to purchase an Audio Match Pass CLICK HERE!

Live text updates will also be provided on the Match Centre as well as Twitter, while a full report will be available to read shortly after the full-time whistle. Post-match reaction and highlights will follow after.

Match Reports

Report: Morecambe 1-3 MK Dons

MK Dons secure all three points at the Mazuma Stadium…

23 December 2023

Max Dean’s brace accompanied by Joe Tomlinson’s stunning strike secured all three points at the Mazuma Stadium before the Christmas break.

MJ Williams returned to the starting line-up after he served his one-match suspension last time out against Forest Green Rovers at Stadium MK.

Club captain Dean Lewington was also named amongst the starters, which would mean that the MK Dons defender would cement his name in EFL history as he tied John Trollope’s record for single most league appearances for one club.

A monumental achievement for Lewington, who could break the record on Boxing Day against Colchester United at Stadium MK.

FIRST HALF
Dean Lewington officially tied John Trollope’s EFL record for single most league appearances for one club after the starting whistle was blown. A remarkable achievement from the Club captain.

Morecambe were quick to put the pressure on their visitors, which forced the Dons into an early defensive spell throughout the first ten minutes of the match.

The hosts came closest with a low attempt that seemed threatening to MacGillivray in between the sticks, but the goalkeeper’s defenders spared the number one of any saves needed to be made with a vital block just ahead of the goalline.

Max Dean then responded with an effort of his own after he earned the shooting opportunity when skipping past his marker. Dean struck the ball with the intent to find the top right corner with his effort, but couldn’t connect with the chance how he would’ve wanted to, which saw it sail wide.

Payne’s precise strike would’ve forced Adam Smith into a difficult save had it not been for his defenders, who threw their bodies in between the ball and the goal to direct it wide for a corner-kick. The set-piece that followed was also defended well.

James Connolly was the first name in referee Lewis Smith’s book following a late challenge on Dean in the centre-circle. MK Dons mounted an attack from this set play, but struggled to penetrate the stubborn back-line of the home side.

The deadlock had been broken at the Mazuma Stadium on the 30-minute mark through none other than the in-form forward, Max Dean. Gilbey’s pass through into the number 18 took a slight deflection, but met with its target nonetheless. From there, Dean remained composed to take a touch around the goalkeeper and place the ball into the open net. 0-1

Max Dean had found the net once again eight minutes before the half time break, but Tomlinson, who created the chance, was flagged for an offside position, which ruled out the goal.

MK Dons maintained their one-goal lead right up until the interval.

SECOND HALF
Despite holding their one-goal advantage up until the break, the visitors conceded a goal three minutes into the second half of action, which saw the hosts get the equalise they aimed for through JJ McKiernan’s close-range header. 1-1

Conor Grant saw the chance to break and carried the ball many yards up the field until he found the overlapping run of Dean on his left. A shot a tight-angle whilst defenders closed the number 18 down saw Adam Smith make a relatively simple stop.

Jonathan Leko was brought on in place of Conor Grant as Mike Williamson made his first substitution of the match.

Joe Tomlinson had restored the advantage for Mike Williamson’s Dons with just over 20 minutes left of play. The number 14 received the ball from Jack Payne before he carried it towards the edge of the D, where his effort picked out the bottom right corner of the net. 1-2

Since regaining the lead, MK Dons certainly held more control in the fixture. However, the danger still loomed that the one-goal differential between the sides could be dismantled by Morecambe once again.

Morecambe made four changes late in the game with the hope to have an impact that would replicate the early action within the second half.

At the end of 90 minutes played, the fourth official indicated a further six minutes of injury time.

Yet, the action didn’t end there as Max Dean claimed his brace in the dying moments of the match. Despite a full 90-minute game in his tank, Dean was alert and quick enough to pounce on a loose ball, which he poked home to secure the Dons all three points at the Mazuma Stadium. 1-3

Merry Christmas, MK Dons fans!

***

MK Dons: MacGillivray, Norman, Lewington (C), O’Hora, Williams, Gilbey, Payne, Tomlinson, Grant (Leko 65), Robson, Dean

Subs: Kelly, Harrison, Eisa, Smith, Devoy Tripp

Goals: Dean 30 90+5, Tomlinson 68

Yellow cards: Williams 40

Morecambe: A Smith, Tutonda (C Smith 86), Bedeau (C), Songo’o (Taylor 77), Bloxham (Brown 77), King, McKiernan (Melbourne 86), Mayor, Senior, Slew, Connolly

Subs: Pedley, Stokes, Davenport

Goals: McKiernan 48

Yellow cards: Connolly 27, McKiernan 52, Bedeau 90+5

Referee: Lewis Smith

Stadium: Mazuma Stadium

Attendance: 4,551 (183)