Report: MK Dons 0-2 Bolton Wanderers

Full summary of the action from Stadium M

13 September 2022

Goals on the half-hour and the hour saw MK Dons beaten 2-0 by Bolton Wanderers at Stadium MK.

Dion Charles put the Trotters ahead from the penalty spot with 31 minutes played before Gethin Jones headed in a second with half an hour remaining.

Liam Manning made four changes to his starting XI as Zak Jules, Daniel Oyegoke, Matt Smith and Matthew Dennis all came in to the side. Josh McEachran, meanwhile, returned to the squad for the first time since the opening day of the season - he was amongst the substitutes.

Both teams took a little while to get used to the sodden conditions with neither team finding any real groove early on.

It took until the 14th minute for the first real chance of the game, after Bolton got fortunate with a missed offside. Dion Charles eventually had a shot on goal, which was blocked by Jack Tucker and then gathered by Jamie Cumming.

Cumming was forced into a much better stop three minutes later as he showed great reflexes in order to divert George Thomason’s looping goal-bound effort over his crossbar. Kieran Lee blazed over from the resulting corner.

The Dons first glimpse of an opportunity came on 20 minutes when Daniel Harvie collected a loose ball and spotted the run of Smith into the area. His through ball was accurate but had a little too much on it for the MK Dons number 7 to reach it.

They were awarded a free-kick shortly after for a foul on Dennis, though Devoy’s delivery was well-read by James Trafford. Moments later, Devoy tried to turn provider again, following a good attacking move, but Grigg wasn’t able to fashion a chance from his cross.

However, Bolton were handed the opportunity to take the lead on the half-hour mark when Gethin Jones was brought down inside the penalty area by Devoy. Charles took the spot-kick and converted, to give the visitors the lead. 0-1.

Grigg and Dennis combined as the Dons searched for an equaliser with seven minutes to play in the half. Grigg’s first touch from Cumming’s long pass was sublime, before he teed up Dennis, whose effort was deflected away from goal.

Oyegoke then went for goal with a rasping drive from the edge of the area which was deflected just past Trafford’s left post. That led to successive corners and, from the latter, Harvie had a decent low drive diverted wide by the back of a defender. Smith then had a go from similar range – an effort on the bounce which flew over the crossbar.

The Dons, who were unable to get back on level terms in the first half, went about equalising at the start of the second and an early cross in from the left was met by Grigg, though the touch wasn’t enough to truly trouble James Trafford.

On 50 minutes, Dennis was brought down midway inside the Bolton half which provided Devoy with a chance to send a ball into the area. It was Dennis who got onto the end of Devoy’s ball in but his glancing header went wide.

A loose pass saw Manning’s men back inside the Bolton area within seconds but Harvie’s low cross towards Dennis was snuffed out by an alert Trafford. The Dons then had Cumming to thank for keeping the deficit at one when he made a stunning point-blank save to deny Charles a second goal.

Shortly after, Smith went agonisingly close to playing in Dennis only for a sliding tackle from George Johnston to prevent the strike a clear path to goal. Their attempts at salvaging a result, though, were dealt a further blow on the hour when Bolton doubled their lead – Jones heading in off the underside of the bar following a free-kick delivery. 0-2.

The visitors almost had a third four minutes later but Jack Iredale somehow failed to find the target when well-placed at the far post. Manning then went to his bench, introducing Joshua Kayode and the fit-again McEachran in place of Grigg and Johnson.

Smith was replaced by Burns as the Dons made a third alteration with 15 minutes left to play. However he, nor his teammates could do much to affect the way of the result, with the Dons frustrating in the final exchanges by a resilient Trotters outfit.

MK Dons: Cumming, Tucker, O’Hora, Smith (Burns 75), Grigg (Kayode 67), Oyegoke, Johnson (McEachran 67), Harvie, Devoy, Dennis, Jules.

Subs: Ravizzoli, Lewington, Grant, Lawrence.

Booked: Tucker

Bolton Wanderers: Trafford, Jones, Williams, Santos, Johnston, Charles (Sadlier 86), Iredale, Lee (Dempsey 73) Bradley, Kachunga (Bakayoko 77), Thomason (Morley 86).

Subs: John, Aimson, Afolayan.

Goals: Charles (pen 31), Jones (60)

Booked: Morley

Referee: C Pollard

Attendance: 6,339 (760 away)

Ticket News

Match guide: Bolton Wanderers

Important matchday information for tonight's Stadium MK fixture...

13 September 2022

Important matchday information ahead of tonight's Sky Bet League One fixture with Bolton Wanderers at Stadium MK...

TICKETS
Buying tickets
Home tickets
Tickets, which are available to buy online and from the Box Office, are priced from £26 adults, £20 over-65s, £14 under-25s and £8 under-18s while under-12s and under-7s tickets are priced from £5. Upgrades are available to East Centre and Club Red.

To book tickets CLICK HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 01908 622922. Tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off from the Box Office.

Away tickets
Away tickets are not available to buy through MK Dons. Away supporters can purchase tickets from the Away Ticket Booth from 6pm.

Ticket collections
Pre-booked home tickets can be collected from the Box Office from 10am until 4.45pm. From 4.45pm, tickets must be collected from the Home Ticket Booth between Gate 4 and Gate 5.

Pre-booked away tickets can be collected from the Away Ticket Booth, which is located near Gate 3. The Away Ticket Booth opens at 6pm.

Digital tickets
If you have purchased a general sale ticket(s) for this fixture, you will receive your ticket(s) via email.

Please ensure you have downloaded your ticket(s) to your phone or smart device in advance of traveling to Stadium MK. iPhone users can store their ticket(s) in their Apple Wallet and Android users can store their ticket(s) in Google Pay. This will prevent delays at the turnstiles if there is a lack of internet connection.

Supporters are also advised to open their digital ticket while making their way to the turnstiles. This will also prevent delays on gaining entry to Stadium MK.

There will be a QR code on your downloaded digital ticket – this is what will be scanned for entry to Stadium MK. Stadium MK staff will be on hand to assist if required.

TRAVEL
Getting to Stadium MK
CLICK HERE for a full guide on travelling to Stadium MK.

Car parking
All parking at Stadium MK is chargeable, including for blue badge holders.

Parking at Stadium MK can be booked in advance, at a reduced cost of £7 with a £1 booking fee – CLICK HERE to book! Parking on the day is priced at £10.

Car parks will open at 4.45pm.

Matchday accessible spaces are limited and should be pre-booked either ONLINE or by visiting the Box Office or calling 01908 622901. The Club cannot guarantee an on-site parking space for Blue Badge holders who have not pre-booked. There are drop-off/pick-up points available outside Gates 4 and 7.

Parking for minibuses and group coaches are also chargeable and should be booked ONLINE.

Drop-off/pick-up is permitted at Gates 4 and 7 as well as outside the hotel reception, although collection outside the hotel will be limited post-match to allow for egress of pedestrians and the visiting team coach.

Supporters who pre-book taxis should head to the pick-up point at Gate 7.

Patrons should park considerately in the industrial areas surrounding the stadium and NOT in the parking areas of the nearby retail and trade outlets, or in areas signed as privately owned, where there is risk of clamping.

No football parking is permitted at the Asda shop adjacent to the stadium or at the MK1 retail park. A Parking Charge Notice of £60 will be issued for cars identified as parking for football or those exceeding the two-hour parking period.

BEFORE THE GAME
Box Office opening hours
The Box Office will be open from 10am through until half-time for those wishing to purchase/collect tickets.

Lewington's
Lewington's is a supporters bar open to HOME FANS ONLY from 5.30pm. You can access Lewington's from a dedicated turnstile at Gate 5.

The UEFA Champions League fixture between Sporting CP and Tottenham Hotspur will be shown on the TV screens from 5.45pm.

Bar Menu - CLICK HERE

Food Menu - CLICK HERE

Your match ticket/Season Ticket will be scanned upon entry at Gate 5, at which you point you will not be able to exit and gain re-entry to the stadium. You can head straight to your seat from Lewington's, from 6.15pm onwards.

After 6.15pm, fans who enter Stadium MK at alternative gates will be able to access Lewington's from the concourse. The concourse entrance is located by Gate 5.

Gates
The Stadium MK gates will open at 6.15pm to allow for supporters to enter the stadium safely and efficiently.

Please arrive early to allow plenty of time to get parked and to enter the ground as there are additional search arrangements in place for your safety and security.

Gates 4, 5 and 7 are open to home supporters while away supporters can enter Stadium MK at Gate 3. For those in hospitality, please enter through Gate 8.

Supporters should use the gate that is indicated on their ticket as that will be located closest to your seat as this will reduce delays, although home tickets will work at all home gates.

Young Dons Zone
The Young Dons Zone will not be open for midweek fixtures during the 2022/23 season.

INSIDE THE STADIUM
Covid-secure behaviour
CLICK HERE to read the Club's full Code of Conduct!

Do not attend this fixture if you have tested positive for Covid-19 or if any of the following symptoms - a high temperature, a new or contagious cough, a loss or chnage to your sense of smell or taste.

Anti-social behaviour
MK Dons would like to make it clear that abusive and offensive language is not tolerated at Stadium MK and is against ground regulations.

If you wish to report any behaviour that you deem to be inappropriate, you can do so anonymously by texting 07545 926870.

Card only
Stadium MK will be operating a card-only payment policy meaning there will be no cash sales.

Amenities
You should use the amenities, such as toilets, nearest to your block, where applicable.

Matchday supplement
There will be no matchday supplement for this fixture.

First aid
A First Aid Room can be located by Gate 4 with further first aiders located in each stand.

Disabled facilities
There are numerous dedicated accessible toilet facilities around the concourse including the Changing Places facility at Gate 6.

FOOD AND DRINK
Lewington's
Fancy a drink? Lewington's is a supporters bar open to HOME FANS ONLY which will be open from 5.30pm. You can access Lewington's from a dedicated turnstile at Gate 5.

The UEFA Champions League fixture between Sporting CP and Tottenham Hotspur will be shown on the TV screens from 5.45pm.

Bar Menu - CLICK HERE

Food Menu - CLICK HERE

After 6.15pm, fans who enter Stadium MK at alternative gates will be able to access Lewington's from the concourse. The concourse entrance is located by Gate 5.

Concourse bars
Concourse bars will be open as usual for this fixture.

To see the Bar Menu - CLICK HERE!

Inside concessions
Food and drink concession kiosks, and bars, will be open from 6.15pm serving burgers, hot dogs, snacks and hot/cold drinks.

To see the Kiosk Menu - CLICK HERE!

Please note, from the 2022/23 campaign. there will be no Season Ticket discount on concessions. Stadium MK will also be operating a card-only payment policy meaning there will be no cash sales.

Marco Pierre-White Steakhouse
Why not book dinner at our Marco's restaurant and enjoy a pre-match meal before kick-off?

What’s more, MK Dons Season Ticket holders can enjoy 10% off the food bill - CLICK HERE for more information!

Papa John's
If you're looking for fresh, quality pizza, then Papa John's at Stadium MK is the place to be. The store at Stadium MK is open for delicious pizzas and side dishes while the Papa John's kiosk inside Stadium MK is open to HOME SUPPORTERS ONLY from 6.15pm.

Unfortunately, away supporters are not able to collect or have pizza delivered while inside the stadium.

Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II
A minute’s silence will be held prior to kick-off which will be followed immediately by the National Anthem. The minute's silence will begin with the referee's whistle.

HALF-TIME
Inside concessions
Food and drink concession kiosks, and bars, will be open from 6.15pm serving burgers, hot dogs, snacks and hot/cold drinks.

To see the Kiosk Menu - CLICK HERE!

Please note, from the 2022/23 campaign. there will be no Season Ticket discount on concessions. Stadium MK will also be operating a card-only payment policy meaning there will be no cash sales.

Papa John's Kiosk
If you're looking for fresh, quality pizza, then Papa John's at Stadium MK is the place to be. The Papa John's kiosk to HOME SUPPORTERS ONLY through until the end of half-time.

Unfortunately, away supporters are not able to collect or have pizza delivered while inside the stadium.

Concourse bars
Cowshed Bar and the Club Red bar will be CLOSED for this fixture.

To see the Bar Menu - CLICK HERE!

AFTER THE GAME
Man of the Match
Supporters with access to the Platinum Pitchside Restaurant and Club Red/Legends Lounge will be able to watch the Man of the Match presentation following the game.

Lewington's
Fancy a drink? Lewington's is a supporters which will be open to HOME FANS ONLY for an hour after the final whistle.

Bar Menu - CLICK HERE

Supporters MUST access Lewington's from the concourse. The concourse entrance is located by Gate 5. Supporters must not exit the Stadium as they will not be able to gain entry from the outside.

Papa John's
If you're looking for fresh, quality pizza, then Papa John's at Stadium MK is the place to be. The store at Stadium MK is open until 11pm.

Thank you for your support and co-operation. Stay alert! Stay Safe! Help us all – your fellow fans, your club, your sport, your community.