Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Match Previews

Preview: Macclesfield Town

All you need to know ahead of today’s clash at Stadium MK…

17 November 2018

MK Dons return to Stadium MK for the first time in over three weeks , as they play hosts to Macclesfield Town.

Paul Tisdale’s side are currently unbeaten in their last nine Sky Bet League Two games, while no side in the division has picked up more points than the Dons in their last 10 games.

The Dons will certainly have to be cautious of Macclesfield, as The Silkmen have already shown this season they have the ability to take points off the teams at the top of the table. 

They’ve picked up points from Mansfield Town, Forest Green Rovers, and Newport County this season – while Lincoln City scored an 87th-minute winner to beat Macclesfield in September. 

Kick-Off is at 3pm.

Macclesfield returned to the EFL after a six-year absence having won the Vanarama National League by a ten-point margin last season. The man who guided them to promotion, John Askey, left for Shrewsbury over the Summer with Mark Yates handed the reigns at Moss Rose.

Yates recruited a number of fresh faces in the Summer transfer window, however, his squad suffered a number of injuries leaving the Silkmen winless in the opening two months of the season.

His two assistant, Neil Howarth and Danny Whitaker took over as joint Caretaker Managers and with a 2-1 win over Carlisle ended their winless league run of 36 EFL games without a win.

MK Dons were eliminated from the Checkatrade Trophy at the Group Stage after a 3-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s.

Brighton had to come from behind to pick up the win after an Aaron Connolly hat-trick secured the victory for Simon Rusk's side. The Dons had taken an early lead through Kieran Agard's strike before Connolly drew The Seagulls level for the first time. 

Hancox then scored his first goal in a Dons shirt to send Tisdale's side in 2-1 up at the break with the lead, before Connolly netted second of the evening after the break to put Brighton back ahead. The Brighton man then completed his hat-trick with 15-minutes left to play and in the process eliminated the Dons from the competition. 

Meanwhile, goals from Ben Stephens and Koby Arthur gave Macclesfield Town a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion Under-21s in their Checkatrade Trophy Ground Stage game as they came from behind to pick up three Group Stage points.

Joe Walsh could miss today's clash as he awaits the results of a scan on the injury he sustained against Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s in midweek.

Should be unable to go, the Dons have a ready-made replacement in Jordan Moore-Taylor, who is back available after a spell on the sidelines.

Elsewhere, Osman Sow has returned to training and discussions are being had to determine when he will be ready to return to match action.

Peter Pawlett, however, is unavailable due to a niggle he has picked up while recovering from a foot problem - he is expected to be out for at least another week. Ryan Harley and Mathieu Baudry remain absent too.

MK Dons wins: 3
MK Dons wins at home: 2
Last MK Dons win: 1-0, 7th Nov 2009 (Stadium MK)
Biggest MK Dons win: 3-0, 13th Mar 2007 (National Hockey Stadium)

Draws: 2
Draws at home: 1
Last draw: 1-1, 29th Jan 2008 (Stadium MK)

Macclesfield wins: 0

Experienced Premier League referee Andre Marriner will take charge of today’s clash at Stadium MK – his 12th game of the season - he’s so far issued 32 yellow cards and two reds.

He last officiated an MK Dons game back in September 2014 during their 2-1 defeat to Bradford at Stadium MK. 

Scott Ledger and Edward Smart are his assistant referees, while the fourth official is Craig Hicks.

Full-time result
MK Dons win: 1/3
Draw: 19/5
Macclesfield win: 15/2

Click HERE for more Sky Bet Odds!

Tickets are priced from £22 adults, £17 over-65s and £7 under-18s while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons members. Supporters can upgrade their seat to East Centre for just £5 more while an upgrade to clubRed is available for a £10 premium.

Veterans, serving soldiers and cadets are entitled to a FREE ticket to this weekend's match with Macclesfield Town. Eligible supporters can claim their complimentary ticket at the Box Office by producing appropriate ID. Accompanying friends and family attend at a rate of £17 adults, £12 seniors and £6 under-18s.

To book tickets click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off.

iFollow MK Dons subscribers can listen to live commentary of this game – click HERE to sign up for as little as £4.49 for a month.

Supporters can also stay in touch with the action via mkdons.com’s Match Centre, which can be accessed by visiting the home page from 1pm.

There will also be full coverage on the Club’s social media channels – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat!

A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle along with full reaction from Paul Tisdale and a player. Highlights will be available to view from midnight.


Advertisement block


iFollow Next Match Tickets Account