George Williams knows the only way to make up for Saturday’s disappointment at Doncaster Rovers is by putting together a run of positive results during MK Dons’ upcoming stretch of consecutive home games.
Williams & Co looked good value for an away victory, leading 1-0 after 45 minutes at the Keepmoat Stadium, but second-half goals from Doncaster duo John Marquis and Matty Blair saw the hosts snatch all three points and condemn the Dons to their first home defeat in six games.
“It was really disappointing,” Williams told the media in his post-match interview. “We were brilliant in the first half – it was one of the best away performances we’ve had in the first half.
“If you’re drawing positives from the game, in the first half we executed our game plan, we moved the ball about well and we were really in their faces.
“Football is a 90 minute game, though, and in the second half it wasn’t acceptable. We outplayed them in the first half so they must have really rallied the troops at half-time and we didn’t stand up to it. We’ve got to look at ourselves because we know that’s not good enough.
“In the end we haven’t won the game and we’re disappointed with that.”
The Dons took a third-minute lead through Chuks Aneke and went close to extending that advantage during a dominant first-half display, with Scott Golbourne hitting the post and the likes of Aneke, Kieran Agard and Alex Gilbey also having chances.
Ultimately, though, Robbie Neilson’s men were unable to add to their lead and they were made to pay for their lack of cutting edge after the interval.
“At 1-0, you’re always riding your luck,” said Williams. “Especially scoring so early, it’s hard to keep a 1-0 scoreline for that long – we needed to get that second goal because that would have changed the game massively.
“We should really start putting teams to the sword.”
Williams and his Dons teammates will look to bounce back this week, with three consecutive games coming up at Stadium MK, starting with Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup tie with Maidstone United.
“The only thing we can do now is put [the Doncaster result] behind us and look to right this wrong in the FA Cup,” the right-back insisted.
The men from MK1 then play their Checkatrade Trophy Round 2 tie in midweek before entertaining second-placed Shrewsbury Town next Saturday in a testing Sky Bet League One clash, where they will be looking to improve on their current league position.
Sitting 15th in the table, 10 points adrift of the top-six ,Williams & Co have plenty of work to do in the coming months but the Dons’ number 2 knows from previous experience that fortunes can still change.
“When I was at Barnsley we were rock bottom at Christmas and we ended up getting promoted,” Williams recalled.
“Anything is possible in this league if you can get a run of results together so we’re not panicking just yet – [reaching the play-offs] is still our aim.”
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George Williams and MK Dons will look to bounce back when they face Maidstone United this Saturday in the Second Round of The Emirates FA Cup.
Ticket prices for the tie start from £12 adults, £5 under-18s and £1 under-12s, with upgrades to East Centre and clubRed available.
To book tickets click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off.
