mkdons.com rewinds back to December for its latest Memorable Match – the 3-0 victory over Port Vale at stadiummk.
Report
In their last home game of 2013, Karl Robinson’s side turned on the style with a superb first-half performance to record back-to-back League victories for the first time in the season.
Stephen Gleeson, Ben Reeves and, of course, Patrick Bamford netted the goals before the break to secure the three points for the men from MK1, who also kept their third straight clean-sheet.
Going into the game on the back of their confidence-boosting victory over Wolves the week before, the Dons were bright early on and they made the ideal start when Gleeson bagged his first goal of the year with superb curling effort from the best part of 35-yards.
The link-up play on the left-hand side of the field between Dean Lewington and loanee Dale Jennings was proving to be a fruitful way of creating chances and the former went close to a second with a dipping effort which had to be turned away by Valiants ‘keeper Sam Johnson.
And, from that corner, Robinson’s side did double their advantage through Reeves, who drilled a low effort through a crowd of players from the edge of the area and into the back of the net.
It was an impressive and dominant opening from the Dons, who capped it all off with a third goal when a long ball forward by Shaun Williams caused the Port Vale defence all sorts of problems and allowed Reeves the time to control and pick out an unmarked Bamford, who turn the ball home.
The Dons continued to dominate after half-time, with Gleeson and Williams going close with long-range efforts within minutes of the re-start before Vale finally threatened through Robertson, who looped a header just over the crossbar.
The comfortable lead allowed Robinson to introduce defender Antony Kay for his first appearance in three months following hip surgery late-on and he helped the team see out the result to send the fans at MK1 home with the ideal Christmas present.
Match stats
MK Dons (4-2-3-1): Martin; Hodson, Williams, Spence, Lewington (c); Potter, Gleeson (Kay 83); Carruthers (Galloway 87), Reeves, Jennings (Baldock 75); Bamford.
Subs not used: McLoughlin, Flanagan, Smith, Banton.
Goals: Gleeson 4, Reeves 13, Bamford 32
Booked: Kay
Port Vale: Johnson, Jones (Griffith 30), Robertson, Dickinson, Chilvers, Myrie-Williams (Shuker 65), Tomlin, Pope (c), Lines, Duffy, Birchall (Williamson 65).
Subs not used: Boot (GK), Dodds, Hughes, Hugill.
Attendance: 7,882 (644 away)
Highlights
Click here to watch full highlights courtesy of MK Dons Player
