MK Dons continued their bid to get away from the relegation zone last night as they held on for an impressive win against play-off chasing Sheffield Wednesday. Karl Robinson’s side fully deserved just their fifth win of the season in a game where Carl Baker remained the club’s top scorer this season and forward Nicky Maynard scored his first Dons goal at stadium.mk, and his second of the season.
It was Baker that opened the scoring for the home side 25 minutes into the game. After receiving a pass from Maynard out on the right, he danced his way past three Wednesday defenders before poking under keeper Keiren Westwood. The Dons continued to dominate the half and limited the visitors to very few chances. Their one positive attack was a real let off for the Dons when the ball bounced up and appeared to strike Dean Lewington’s hand in the area, but the referee waved away the claims.
Early in the second half, the Dons fans could’ve been forgiven for over-celebrating a little (having scored eight home league goals before tonight) when Samir Carruthers’ pass released Maynard, who coolly slotted past Westwood to double the Dons’ advantage.
Wednesday’s performance in the second half did merit something though, and that’s what they got. Substitute Gary Hooper made sure it would be a nervous final 15 minutes when he powered home Ross Wallace’s cut-back with a first time finish.
It wasn’t to be, though, for the Owls and MK held on for a memorable win that puts them 20th in the table; one point and two places clear of relegation.
It was a much needed win for Robinson’s Dons, who had slipped in to the relegation zone at the weekend following their 0-1 home loss to Ipswich. This, coupled with Charlton’s stalemate with Leeds, meant the Dons were one point from safety at the weekend, but tonight’s results elsewhere as well as at stadium.mk propelled them back up to 20th.
Robinson was quoted after the loss to Brentford on the fifth of December saying ‘the players have three weeks to save their careers at the club’, and after tonight’s performance it seems that some of those who could’ve been on the fringes of leaving really took to his message. This certainly seemed the case with Samir Carruthers, who was much improved from the weekend and his recent performances, which earned him the man of the match vote from the sponsors at Tuesday night’s game.
The back four also looked a lot more content and competitive as they came up against the eighth top scorers in the league. Antony Kay dealt well with Wednesday’s 6ft 6″ striker Atdhe Nuhiu, who was subbed off at half time after being marked out of the game by Kay’s fantastic performance. Dean Lewington also continued his fine form with a consistent performance that saw him play with the calmness and reassurance that is needed in a Championship-quality defender.
Darren Potter controlled the midfield once again, stopping an array of Wednesday attacks and playing forward rather than backward like he has in recent times to try and release the wingers, Carl Baker and Josh Murphy, who tormented the visiting backline all night, tiring them and allowing the Dons to continue to press.
It may have just been the luck that the Dons deserved last night, as there’s no doubt that Wednesday possess a lot more Championship quality in their side, but Robinson and his team will not care about that, just the three points that came with their solid performance last night. Next up for the Dons is another tricky fixtures as they travel to the East Midlands to take on Nottingham Forest. Dougie Freedman’s side are unbeaten this month and in their last four games, but are still just six points ahead of the Dons so a win would really be the perfect early Christmas present for both sides.
