mkdons.com details the storylines to follow heading into Saturday's Sky Bet League One clash with Accrington Stanley...
Tuesday’s win a perfect response to Peterborough defeat
What better way for MK Dons to banish the demons of their 4-0 defeat to Peterborough United at Stadium MK than hitting four goals of their own in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie with Southend United.
Paul Tisdale’s men looked bright in front of goal all evening and scored twice in each half to secure the 4-1 success at Roots Hall. The team also defended well during a 20-minute spell in which the Shrimpers put pressure on goal in search of an equaliser.
Now the aim will be to carry the momentum and positivity into Saturday’s Sky Bet League One encounter with Accrington Stanley.
Boateng off the mark
Hiram Boateng has enjoyed an excellent start to life as an MK Dons player and Tuesday saw him make a real contribution in front of goal.
The midfielder, signed in the summer from Exeter City, got off the mark with a stunning individual goal in Tuesday’s win, collecting a Sam Nombe knockdown before striding past a host of Southend defenders and then finishing confidently past Nathan Bishop in the Shrimpers goal.
Boateng wasn’t done there. In the second minute of stoppage time, he sent a neat back-heel into the path of Sam Nombe who went through and fired home a first MK Dons goal. It was Boateng’s first assist of the campaign.
Now with his name appearing in both the goals and assist columns, the 23-year-old will be looking to kick on and maintain the strong start he’s made in his Dons career.
Goals galore
The four goals scored in Tuesday’s win has taken the Dons’ season tally to 11 after the opening six matches, which is their best return since the 2014/15 promotion-winning season and their second best tally for eight seasons.
What will be pleasing to Paul Tisdale will not only be the amount of goals but the distribution across the pitch, with nine different scorers and players in all three areas of the finding the net.
Tuesday saw a defender, a midfielder and two strikers all get on target. So far, defenders have contributed three goals, midfielders four and strikers also four.
Callum Brittain and Rhys Healey are currently tied for two goals apiece in terms of the individual standings.
Academy graduates making their case
Both Carabao Cup ties have provided opportunities for Tisdale to hand minutes to several of his young players and two who have made a real case for further involvement are David Kasumu and Sam Nombe.
Nombe registered his first goal for the Club during his cameo in Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Southend United while Kasumu, who netted in the round prior, was singled out for praise by manager Paul Tisdale for what he described as an ‘excellent’ performance in the middle of the park.
Tisdale admitted that Kasumu is forcing himself into the picture for a league appearance. Could that come this weekend at Accrington?
Accrington after their first win
Saturday’s opponents will be eager to get off the mark when they welcome the Dons to the Wham Stadium.
John Coleman’s side, in their second season in League One, have yet to pick up a victory this term, with their only point coming in a 1-1 draw with AFC Wimbledon a fortnight ago.
In front of their home supporters, Stanley will view this weekend’s match as an opportunity to collect that elusive three points.
First trip to the Wham Stadium since 2007
It’s been over 11 years since the Dons last made the journey to Accrington to face Stanley at the Wham Stadium.
While much has changed for both clubs since that meeting - which ended 1-0 to the Dons thanks to a late Mark Wright goal - there are two similarities. John Coleman was Accrington’s manager and Dean Lewington was, of course, playing at left-back for the Dons.
The March 2008 clash was a relatively dull affair compare to the three other matches between the two clubs where a combined total of 16 goals were scored with scorelines of 5-0, 3-1 and 4-3 all in the Dons’ favour.
Will this weekend’s encounter be another thriller?
***
MK Dons are back in action this Saturday afternoon when they take on Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium.
Tickets are available in standing or seated areas priced at £20 adults, £15 seniors/students, £10 under-18s and £5 under-12s.
Official Away Travel is available for this fixture, with coach spaces priced at £24 Season Ticket holders/members and £25 all other supporters. Coaches will depart Stadium MK at 9am.
To book tickets/travel click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will be available to buy up until 5pm on Friday.
