Although the team were left bewildered behind the scenes, the Dons had a strong start to the season, which saw them claim eight points in the league, as well as a victory in the group stages of the Papa John’s Trophy.
Bolton Wanderers fixture:
Due to events prior to our first fixture against the Trotters, captain Dean Lewington stepped up and took the role of an interim caretaker manager, whilst the club searched for a solution.
The skipper, alongside Ray Lewington, conducted training throughout the week before the first League match of the campaign. The long-serving player commanded his team from an unfamiliar side-line position on matchday.
After falling behind twice, MK Dons took the lead in the 83rd minute courtesy of Hiram Boateng, following that, the team all celebrated together on the touch line with Lewington. Unfortunately, Bolton equalised in the late stages of the game, and the points were shared at the University of Bolton Stadium.
The club appointed Liam Manning as our new head coach on August 13th, this meant that the former caretaker manager was able to retake his place on the field.
Manning took charge of the defeat against Sunderland the day after his appointment, the head coach then proceeded to remain undefeated in August, on the back of the Black Cats fixture.
Charlton, Ipswhich & Accrington fixtures:
Troy Parrott and Mo Eisa were the forward force who grabbed Manning’s first victory against Charlton at Stadium MK.
The team then travelled to Portman Road, which resulted in a 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town. Scott Twine and Matt O’Riley scored their first goals of the season, which cancelled out Macauely Bonne’s brace.
After that, the Dons returned home to claim a 2-0 victory over Accrington Stanley. Matt O’Riley replicated getting onto the score sheet and Eisa increased his goal tally to three, within his first month of wearing a MK Dons shirt.
Papa John’s Trophy group stage:
MK Dons finalised their August run with a victory over Burton Albion in the group stages of the Papa Johns trophy. Jay Bird scored his third goal for the club at the Pirelli Stadium and Harry Darling contributed the second, which allowed the Dons to claim a 2-1 victory over the Brewers.
Liam Manning’s men finished their August run, after they achieved their first pair of back-to-back wins in the 2021/2022 season.
