MK Dons travel to the Wham Stadium on Saturday to take on Accrington Stanley in Mike Williamson’s first game as Head Coach.
MK Dons travel to the Wham Stadium on Saturday to take on Accrington Stanley in Mike Williamson’s first game as Head Coach.
Williamson began his Stadium MK reign earlier this week, taking charge of his first training session on Wednesday before travelling North with the squad on Friday ahead of this weekend’s match at the Wham Stadium.
As well as implementing his philosophy onto the group, the former Gateshead boss will also be looking to turn around the Dons’ form – a run of eight games without a league victory that has seen them fall from second to 16th in the Sky Bet League Two table.
Victory in his maiden outing on Saturday could see climb back up as many as five places. Williamson would also become the eighth MK Dons boss to win their first league fixture in charge of the Club.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
THE OPPOSITION
Accrington Stanley, relegated to Sky Bet League Two alongside MK Dons last season, sit ninth in the table after 13 games – the highest-placed of the four teams who came down from English football’s third tier.
John Coleman’s side have bounced back from a run of only one win in six, to put together three unbeaten games, including successive victories over Forest Green Rovers and Grimsby Town.
Their triumph over Forest Green was one of four they have enjoyed at the Wham Stadium so far this season – tied for the second-most home victories amongst League Two teams.
In terms of goals, Accy have scored 19 and conceded 18. Forward Josh Andrews leads the way on an individual level – he has found the net five times in 13 appearances, including three in his last two outings.
LAST TIME OUT
MK Dons conceded two stoppage-time goals as they drew 2-2 with Barrow at Stadium MK.
In what proved to be Graham Alexander’s final game as Head Coach, the Dons established a two-goal lead at half-time thanks to a brace from Max Dean – his first, a deflected effort from just inside the area, which was followed by a close-range header.
Dean’s double looked to have secured all three points but the visitors scored in both the 93rd and the 95th minutes to earn a share of the spoils and extend the Dons’ winless run to eight games.
Two late strikes saw Accrington Stanley secure a 2-0 victory over ten-man Grimsby Town at Blundell Park.
Grimsby went close to opening the scoring in the first half but the home side then had Luke Waterfall sent off for two bookable offences, his second coming with 18 minutes left to play.
That swung the momentum in Accrington’s favour and they took advantage, taking the lead through Shaun Whalley just two minutes later, with Josh Andrews then scoring to double the advantage and seal victory.
FIGHTING TALK
Mike Williamson: “(Accrington) will be really tough. They're energetic, very physical, and they have a manager who is hugely experienced and knows how to win games.
“Results are the outcome of good preparation, and if we can get a result it will be fantastic, and it will gives us all a boost.”
John Coleman: "(Mike Williamson) has good credentials, he knows the game and I wish him all the best, just not on Saturday.
"You accept it will be something different, their players will be hearing a different voice and it often has the desired effect, but we have to play the way we know we can.”
TEAM NEWS
MK Dons can welcome back Daniel Harvie after the left-back served his one-match suspension for accumulating five yellow cards.
Harvie’s return boosts a defence that was without Anthony Stewart and Dean Lewington last weekend. Nathan Harness and Ash Hunter also remain sidelined for Mike Williamson as he gets set to pick his first MK Dons XI.
Accrington Stanley look set to remain without goalkeeper Toby Savin after they extended the emergency loan spell of Norwich City stopper Jon McCracken for a further seven days.
Captain Seamus Conneely and Liam Coyle haven’t featured for Stanley since 16 September due to injuries while Seb Quirk is out long-term with a serious hamstring problem.
OFFICIALS
Simon Mather is set to run the rule over Saturday’s clash at the Wham Stadium.
The third-year EFL official has overseen eight matches so far this term, producing 46 yellow cards and a total of seven red cards. He has yet to award a penalty.
Saturday will be only the second time he has taken charge of an MK Dons fixture. He marshalled an Emirates FA Cup tie with Stevenage back in November 2021, showing just two yellow cards that afternoon at Stadium MK.
His assistant referees are Danny Jarvis and Joe Simpson while the fourth official is Jack Forder.
HEAD TO HEAD
MK Dons wins: 7
MK Dons wins at the Wham Stadium: 3
Last MK Dons win: 1-0, 18 Mar 2023 (Wham Stadium)
Biggest MK Dons win: 5-0, 8 Dec 2007 (Stadium MK)
Draws: 2
Draws at the Wham Stadium: 1
Last draw: 1-1, 20 Aug 2022 (Stadium MK)
Accrington Stanley wins: 2
Accrington Stanley wins at the Wham Stadium: 2
Last Accrington Stanley win: 2-1, 5 Dec 2020 (Wham Stadium)
Biggest Accrington Stanley win: 2-1, 5 Dec 2020 (Wham Stadium); 2-1, 31 Aug 2019 (Wham Stadium)
ELSEWHERE IN SKY BET LEAGUE TWO
Newport County v Walsall, Friday 7.45pm
Tranmere Rovers v Doncaster Rovers, Friday 7.45pm
Barrow v AFC Wimbledon
Bradford City v Wrexham
Colchester United v Harrogate Town
Crawley Town v Crewe Alexandra
Gillingham v Notts County
Mansfield Town v Forest Green Rovers
Salford City v Swindon Town
Stockport County v Grimsby Town
Sutton United v Morecambe
FOLLOW IT LIVE
Tickets are now only available to buy at the Wham Stadium, priced at £20 adults, £15 over-64s/students, £10 12-17s and £5 under-12s. Tickets can be bought from the Away Ticket Booth at the entrance to the car park at the Wham Stadium.
Can't make the game? Supporters can LISTEN to this fixture live on iFollow MK Dons 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.
