Robbie Neilson’s MK Dons ended 2016 with a hard-fought win over Swindon Town. The Dons were made to work for their 3-2 win but were ultimately deserving of the three points.
MK Dons End 2016 with Hard-Fought Win
Kieran Agard opened the scoring at Stadium MK with a 29 minute brace. The first was a simple header after Nicky Maynard’s thunderbolt smacked the crossbar. The second was a classy flick, diverting Chuks Aneke’s effort past Lawrence Vigouroux.
Swindon got a goal back right at the end of the first half through Luke Norris. David Martin failed to deal with a cross, and Norris volleyed in from a tight angle.
The next goal was always going to be important, and it couldn’t have been a more fitting player to get it. Nicky Maynard, without a goal since April, drove in his first goal of the season after a well-worked free kick. Samir Carruthers played a perfect pass into the striker, and he powered past Vigouroux to make the Dons comfortable again.
They were comfortable for just 12 minutes, however. Swindon had a succession of corners, and Raphael Rossi Branco headed in from the fourth one to give Swindon hope.
They almost managed to steal a point too, but were denied by a terrific David Martin save right at the death.
What Happened?
The Dons have endured a torrid 2016, mostly under the guidance of Karl Robinson. The now Charlton boss oversaw the Dons’ Championship season, in which they were relegated second from bottom. Many fans predicted that their relegation back to the third tier would provoke a rise in wins and get more confidence back into the team.
That wasn’t the case. Despite a respectable start to the campaign, the Dons failed to win at home until late November. Their away form was once the best in the league, but once that dipped too, the Dons found themselves hanging precariously over the relegation zone.
A 3-0 home loss to Southend United was the final straw for Robinson. After six years in charge, he left by mutual consent with the Dons in 19th place. A short stint under caretaker boss Richie Barker was followed by the appointment of Robbie Neilson from Scottish side Hearts.
Neilson couldn’t have asked for a better start, as the Dons defeated their nemesis AFC Wimbledon for their first home win of the season in his first game. This has been followed by two more wins and two losses, one against Robinson’s new club Charlton.
MK Dons will be glad to see the back of 2016. However, under new management and the promise of investment in the January transfer window, 2017 could be a far better story.
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