A look back at some of the Dons' opening day victories ahead of Saturday's 2015/16 curtain-raiser at Rotherham United...
2006/07
Dons 2-1 Bury
Saturday 5th August 2006
League 2
National Hockey Stadium
The Dons kicked-off the 2006/07 campaign with a 2-1 triumph over Bury at the old National Hockey Stadium.
Martin Allen’s men were reduced to ten men in the first half when goalkeeper Adolfo Baines, on his debut, was dismissed for handling outside his area but they still took the lead on 59 minutes courtesy of an Izale McLeod penalty.
With nine minutes to go, Bury pulled a goal back from the spot but, moments later, McLeod smashed home a half-volley to double his tally and secure a victory for Allen in his first game in charge.
Starting XI: Baines; J Smith (Crooks 39), Diallo, Morgan, Lewington; McGovern, Mitchell (Bankole 40), G Smith (Wilbraham 60), Dyer; Platt, McLeod
Unused subs: Edds, Taylor
Booked: Wilbraham, McLeod
Sent off: Baines 37
Goals: McLeod 59 pen, 83
2010/11
Walsall 1-2 Dons
Saturday 7th August 2010
League 1
Banks’s Stadium
Goals from Sam Baldock and Danny Woodards earned Karl Robinson a winning start to his term as Dons boss.
Baldock slotted home from Luke Chadwick pass on the brink of half-time after Walsall keeper Jon Brain failed to deal with Jermaine Easter’s delivery.
Manny Smith headed home and equaliser for the hosts after the re-start but Woodards made sure of an opening day three points with a powerful header of his own from Angelo Balanta’s corner.
Starting XI: Martin; Gleeson, Woodards, O’Hanlon, Lewington; Chadwick (Guy 83), Carrington, Hamann (Howell 83), Balanta; Easter (Ibehre 88), Baldock.
Unused subs: Searle, Pele, Flanagan, Powell.
Booked: None
Goals: Baldock 42, Woodards 60
Dons 2-1 Bury
Saturday 5th August 2006
League 2
National Hockey Stadium
The Dons kicked-off the 2006/07 campaign with a 2-1 triumph over Bury at the old National Hockey Stadium.
Martin Allen’s men were reduced to ten men in the first half when goalkeeper Adolfo Baines, on his debut, was dismissed for handling outside his area but they still took the lead on 59 minutes courtesy of an Izale McLeod penalty.
With nine minutes to go, Bury pulled a goal back from the spot but, moments later, McLeod smashed home a half-volley to double his tally and secure a victory for Allen in his first game in charge.
Starting XI: Baines; J Smith (Crooks 39), Diallo, Morgan, Lewington; McGovern, Mitchell (Bankole 40), G Smith (Wilbraham 60), Dyer; Platt, McLeod
Unused subs: Edds, Taylor
Booked: Wilbraham, McLeod
Sent off: Baines 37
Goals: McLeod 59 pen, 83
2010/11
Walsall 1-2 Dons
Saturday 7th August 2010
League 1
Banks’s Stadium
Goals from Sam Baldock and Danny Woodards earned Karl Robinson a winning start to his term as Dons boss.
Baldock slotted home from Luke Chadwick pass on the brink of half-time after Walsall keeper Jon Brain failed to deal with Jermaine Easter’s delivery.
Manny Smith headed home and equaliser for the hosts after the re-start but Woodards made sure of an opening day three points with a powerful header of his own from Angelo Balanta’s corner.
Starting XI: Martin; Gleeson, Woodards, O’Hanlon, Lewington; Chadwick (Guy 83), Carrington, Hamann (Howell 83), Balanta; Easter (Ibehre 88), Baldock.
Unused subs: Searle, Pele, Flanagan, Powell.
Booked: None
Goals: Baldock 42, Woodards 60
Goals: Potter 34, Powell 59
Sent off: Kay 90
Booked: MacKenzie, Smith, Chadwick
Unused subs: McLoughlin, Otsemobor, Alli, Galloway
Starting XI: Martin; Chicksen, MacKenzie, Kay, Lewington; Potter, Chadwick (Smith 81); Powell, O’Shea, Bowditch (MacDonald 64); Lowe (Ibehre 75).
The only downside to the afternoon for the men from MK1 came after the final whistle when debutant Antony Kay was shown a red card after an incident involving Latics striker Robbie Simpson.
Darren Potter opened the scoring for Karl Robinson’s men in the 34th minute when he headed home from Dean Bowditch’s corner, before Daniel Powell netted a superb solo goal close to the hour mark – the winger collected the ball from Luke Chadwick, burst into the area and fired into the top left corner.
The Dons made a near-perfect start to the 2012/13 campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Oldham.
mkstadium
League 1
Saturday 18th August 2012
Dons 2-0 Oldham Athletic
2012/13
Goals: Hause O.G. 44, Grigg 68, McFadzean 70, Legge O.G. 73
Booked: Martin, Kay
Unused subs: McLoughlin, Baldock, Flanagan, Randall.
Starting XI: Martin; Hodson, McFadzean, Kay, Lewington; Potter, Alli; Green, Reeves (Hitchcock 86), Bowditch (Powell 83); Grigg (Afobe 77).
Aaron Morris’ own goal later on sealed the victory for Karl Robinson’s men, who would go on to finish second in the division by two points – two points they gained by fighting back from two goals down on this August afternoon.
The Dons, though, were given a lifeline just before half-time when defender Kortney Hause turned Danny Green’s corner into his own net. Will Grigg then headed home an equaliser before fellow debutant Kyle McFadzean put his new side in front from a Ben Reeves corner.
Cody McDonald put the visitors ahead inside the opening 10 minutes before Danny Kedwell doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after Martin had felled McDonald.
In what would prove to be a promotion-winning season, the Dons began 2014/15 with a come-from-behind triumph over Gillingham.
mkstadium
League 1
Saturday 9th August 2014
Dons 4-2 Gillingham
2014/15
Watch the Dons in action this Saturday when they take on Rotherham United in their Sky Bet Championship opener - tickets are priced at £23 adults, £13 over-65s, £8 for under-18s and £6 for under-12s.
To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office/thecentre:mk kiosk or call 0333 200 5343.
