New boy proves his worth with another MOTM performance
On Saturday the 5th of March 2016 MK Dons faced Queens Park Rangers, needing to pick up vital point to stay clear of the relegation zone, with Rotherham United only 3 points behind Karl Robinson's boys.
David Martin and Alex Revell were part of 4 returning to the stating line-up. After a few impressive performances and a fantastic goal vs Derby County, Joe Walsh missed out due to injury. The game started out very cagey, yearning for a goal to open it out, into a more entertaining affair. Chances came to the “R’s” skipper Nedum Onuoha and Abdenasser El Khayati but the returning Martin was equal to the shots. Massimo Luongo’s fired wide after 22 minutes.
The Dons crafted there own chances, with Baldock, Murphy. Potter squandering a chance at the edge of the box in the 35th minute.
Revell played trickster Josh Murphy through, with an audacious flick summing up the new-boys’ performance: audacious, self-less and quality. Chances were there but none came good for either side, with the growing feeling that one goal would win the game. The boys from MK1 started the second half how they ended the first: on the front foot and on top. And this pressure was rewarded when Dean Bowditch set up skipper Dean Lewington, who fired in the right-hand side of the goal, past a helpless Alex Smithies in the QPR goal.
The cowshed bounced, as the 3,664 hoops fans were silent, frustrated by their lack of conviction in the few chances Kyle McFazdean and his colleagues gave them in what was a solid defensive performance, compared to recent weeks. Chances went begging for the MK Army 11 soldiers as James Perch denied Murphy fantastically, from a curling cross by substitute Samir Carruthers, at the back post. Both teams showed a real desire to get the second goal of the game. Front man Alex Revell proved to be a thorn in the side of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbainks’ side, going for any ball or refusing to give up on any, most would consider, as lost causes.
With 10 minutes left QPR claimed for a penalty as scorer Lewington threw himself in the way of Perch’s shot. The shouts from the fans, players and bench were all in vain, as referee Keith Stroud waved the claims away. With four minutes remaining Murphy won a penalty, and confidently stepped up to take it. However, fate wasn’t on his side as keeper Smithies pounced to save it. The cowshed gasped, as they feared “déjà vu” of recent weeks, dropping points after missing clear-cut chances.
The MK Army broke a nervous silence with another roar as substitute Rob Hall was brought down in the box by midfielder Karl Henry. Murphy having been substituted couldn’t take it. Up stepped Ben Reeves who smashed the ball into the roof of the net, sealing the win for Karl Robinson and co; and 3 points in the battle for survival for the MK Army. When the MOTM was announced there was no doubt in the stadium as to the recipient: Alex Revell! When his name was called he received a standing ovation. His tireless performance meant that the QPR defense couldn’t have a moments rest and without him on the pitch it would have been a much harder afternoon for the Dons.
These goals may prove season saving as Rotherham United won 1-0, meaning they stayed out of the relegation places, next they travel to Charlton Athletic, a team down there in the dog with them. A massive game for Carl Robinson and his men as they fight for safety and the luxury of another year in The Championship.
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