Archived News from October 2018
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STAGS DRAW WITH MK DONS
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English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town 1 - 1 MK Dons Mellis 17. Houghton 24 Attendance: 4329 (394 from MK Dons) Date: 27 October 2018 Martin Shaw and Simon Chamberlain at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill Mansfield Town drew 1-1 with high-flying in-form MK Dons in a good game at the One Call Stadium this afternoon. Both goals were of exceptional quality. The Stags took the lead on 17 minutes when Jacob Mellis fired an exocet missile that ripped into the right corner of the net from 28 yards following a free kick that had been cleared. We congratulated Mellis on the goal after the game and he replied with “About time!” MK Dons were level on 24 minutes with another terrific strike. Jordan Houghton fired a screamer into the right corner of the net from 28 yards. Overall this was a fair result which could have gone either way. The first half was the best advert for League Two we had seen this season, with those two tremendous goals, plus MK Dons had hit the post through great play from the powerful Chuks Aneke while the Stags had had several chances with Tyler Walker bringing a good save from the keeper and going close on two other occasions. The Stags should also have had a penalty on 36 minutes in our opinion. Walker knocked the ball over Jordan Moore-Taylor to get goalside of Joe Walsh, Walsh lifted his left leg to try to clear the ball, missed the ball and brought down Walker with a clumsy challenge. From our position in the West Stand, it looked like a penalty. From our pitchside footage, it also looks like a penalty. But referee Seb Stockbridge, who had a poor game overall, decided it was not a foul. In the second half, there were fewer chances, with MK Dons the better side initially, before the Stags finished the game on top. A reasonable point for Mansfield in a keenly-contested encounter against a side that had won five games on the trot. The Stags now have three games against sides that we expect to finish in the bottom half of the table, in Crewe, Cheltenham and Grimsby, and will hope to win at least two of these. The Stags were unchanged from the side that won at Morecambe. On the bench, there was a return from injury for Craig Davies. Will Atkinson also returned to the bench after suspension. Sterling-James and Law dropped out of the squad. Alex MacDonald and Hayden White remained out through injury. MK Dons were unchanged from the side that beat Notts County. The side contained Rhys Healey, striker who played against the Stags twice for Cardiff in the FA Cup last season. He is on loan from Cardiff this season. MK Dons came into the game on the back of five successive victories in the league. MK Dons and Mansfield had let in the fewest goals this season in League Two, just 9 each. It is the first time the clubs have met since 2008. A note on the MK Dons away following of less than 400, so poor given a regular home attendance of around 6000, and that they had won 5 on the trot and that it is just a 100 minute journey. They had a flag behind the goal saying “We’re the Dons”. No you’re not. The Dons are from Wimbledon. Before the game, The Last Post was performed beautifully followed by minute’s silence to remember the fallen. FULL REPORT IN THE MATCH CENTRE ---------------------------------------- REPORT: Mansfield Town 1-1 MK Dons chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Saturday 27 October 2018 Mansfield Town and MK Dons battled out an exciting 1-1 draw at One Call Stadium as the showdown between the division's two meanest defences saw the points shared this afternoon. Although there were plenty of chances at both ends on a freezing afternoon, the keepers were only beaten by two long range shots of the highest quality. Jacob Mellis zipped a 26 yard shot into the net on 17 minutes to break the deadlock, but Jordan Houghton, on his 100th Football League appearance, matched it with a spectacular 24th minute equaliser for the second-placed visitors. The first half was end to end thrills, the second half less so with defences and keepers firmly on top and the result a fair one. Mansfield boss David Flitcroft was able to name an unchanged side. He had slight worries over knocks to Tyler Walker, Matt Preston and CJ Hamilton after Tuesday's 1-0 win at Morecambe, but all three were declared fit. Defender Hayden White again missed out with injury but striker Craig Davies was fit again and named on the bench. Stags went into the game unbeaten in seven games in all competitions while the Dons were also seven unbeaten, having won their last five on the trot. Pearce was forced to head away the first long throw from Healey in the opening minute. But it was the home side who created the first real chance on three minutes as swift passes from Mellis and Khan got Walker into the right of the box, and he forced Nicholls to save low at his near post. Two corners followed, then a deflected Benning shot won a third as Stags piled on the early pressure. On eight minutes Khan found Hamilton in the box, and he lifted the ball up delightfully for Walker to send a rising volley over the bar. But on 10 minutes Stags did have a let-off as Olejnik failed to collect and hold the ball and it span loose towards Aneke, who turned and fired low but straight back into the keeper's grateful hands. Sweeney was booked for a late tackle on Williams as he tried to break down the right on 13 minutes. Lewington hoisted the free kick into the box where Walsh headed straight at Olejnik. Dons skipper Lewington was warned about his players delaying every Stags free kick as the visitors conceded another on the left. From that the home side roared in front with a brilliant goal by Mellis on 17 minutes. Benning's free kick was poor and cleared out to Mellis, 25 yards from goal, from where he smashed a spectacular rocket half-volley through everyone into the net with Nicholls having no chance. It was almost 2-0 three minutes later as Stags broke three-on-three after Bishop had won a tackle. Khan advanced and then set up Walker to his right, but the striker's low finish was just wide of the far post. Instead it was MK who were level on 24 minutes - and the goal was almost as spectacular as Stags' opener. The ball ran to Houghton 25 yards from goal and he let fly with a spectacular rising shot that bulged the top right hand corner. Benning sent a low shot at Nicholls from distance after good work chasing a lost cause by Walker. Second later Olejnik beat away a low 20-yard Healey shot to his right as a thoroughly entertaining game continued to ebb and flow. Stags had another big let-off on 35 minutes as Aneke robbed Mellis on the edge of the box and turned superbly before seeing his low finish hit the right post with Olejnik helpless. Walker was screaming for a penalty after going down under Walsh's challenge, but the referee was unimpressed. On 38 minutes Hamilton cut inside from the right and flashed a shot just wide of the far post as the thrills continued to the end of an excellent half. Both sides made a change at the break with Butcher on for Khan for Stags and Brittain taking over from Moore-Taylor for the visitors. With the wind now behind the Stags, Butcher almost made an immediate impact as his right wing cross took a deflection inches wide for a corner from which Sweeney nodded wide. Benning was booked for bringing down Gilbey on 51 minutes. Olejnik was alert to make another important save as Healey tried to beat him on his near post on 54 minutes. The home keeper, clearly in some pain since the Aneke collision, made two more stops on 64 minutes, the first a superb one-handed save to keep out Agard's low shot and the second to deny Gilbey at his near post. Back came Stags and Mellis was inches wide from distance while Hamilton whipped a shot into the sidenetting, again after cutting inside. With 12 minutes to go the visitors almost stole it was Aneke chased an over-hit cross and laid it back for Brittain, who lashed over from a good position. Brittain was booked on 81 minutes for his late challenge on Benning. Before the kick was taken Davies replaced Walker up front for Mansfield. But, even with four added minutes, neither side could conjure up a late winner. STAGS: Olejnik; Preston, Pearce, Sweeney; Hamilton (Atkinson 90), Mellis, Khan (Butcher HT), Bishop, Benning; Rose, Walker (Davies 82). Subs not used: Logan, Elsnik, Gibbens, Graham. DONS: Nicholls, Williams, Lewington, Walsh, Gilbey, Aneke (Watson 84), Agard, Moore-Taylor (Brittain HT), Houghton, Cargill, Healey. Subs not used: Moore, Hancox, Simpson, D'Ath, Asonganyi. REFEREE: Seb Stocksbridge of Tyne & Wear. ATTENDANCE: 4,329 (294 away). (correction by Martin - it was 394) CHAD STAGS MAN OF THE MATCH: Neal Bishop. Read more at: https://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/football/report-mansfield-town-1-1-mk-dons-1-9416855 ------------- Report: Mansfield Town 1-1 MK Dons Houghton's screamer earns the Dons a point... https://www.mkdons.com/news/2018/october/report-mansfield-town-v-mk-dons/ MK Dons picked up a hard-fought point away at courtesy of a 1-1 draw with the Stags. Mansfield went into the match having lost just once at home this season and they took the lead courtesy of an excellent strike from Jacob Mellis. However, Paul Tisdale's men equalised before half-time with Houghton equalling Mellis’ level of finish. The goal proved to be enough to see the Dons maintain their unbeaten run and stay second in the Sky Bet League Two table. Boss Tisdale named an unchanged starting XI for the third game in succession, sticking with the teams which beat both Northampton Town and Notts County. The only alteration to the matchday squad came on the bench and saw Dylan Asonganyi return in place of Brandon Thomas-Asante. Their hosts made a strong start and forced Lee Nicholls into a save after just two minutes - the MK Dons number one was equal to Tyler Walker’s drive. The Stags kept the pressure on with several corners before MK Dons forced their first attack of the game through Rhys Healey, who burst down the right flank and delivered a low cross towards Kieran Agard which was intercepted by Bobby Olejnik. Olejnik then produced a save to deny Chuks Aneke before the Mansfield stopper kept out a header from Joe Walsh, who had met a free-kick sent in by Dean Lewington. Mansfield the went back on the attack and in the 17th minute they broke the deadlock courtesy of stunning long-range strike from Jacob Mellis. MK Dons dealt with an initial free-kick delivered into the area but Preston pounced on the loose ball and fired into the top right-hand corner from 30-yards out. 0-1. Walker went close to doubling the advantage on the 20-minute mark but, from Otis Kahn’s pass, he drilled a low shot wide of the far post. Looking for an equaliser, MK Dons won themselves a free-kick midway inside the Mansfield half. The Stags dealt cleared away the cross in but Tisdale’s men recycled possession and from that they drew themselves level. Alex Gilbey brought the ball under control and set up Houghton, who took a touch and then sent an unstoppable long-range drive past Olejnik to make it 1-1 - his first MK Dons goal on his 100th league start. Nicholls kept out a speculative attempt from Mal Benning as the hosts went in search of regaining their lead. At the other end, Healey forced Olejnik into a diving save with a fierce right-footed strike. The Dons then worked another attack down the right and Agard came close to turning home a cross from Williams, who had been set away down the wing by Aneke, who later had a terrific chance to continue his goalscoring run, only to hit the post with a right-footed shot when well placed in the centre of the penalty area. Moments after, Walker broke into the area for Mansfield but was denied by an excellent tackle from Walsh. The home supporters wanted a penalty for the tackle but referee Sebastian Stockbridge was unmoved despite the appeals. CJ Hamilton flashed a shot wide in the 39th minute before his teammate Mellis also missed the target with an effort from distance. Aneke then threatened for the Dons, beating his man down the left but failing to beat Olejnik with a left footed attempt. ?At the break, Tisdale was forced into a substitution with Moore-Taylor unable to return due to a knock he picked up in the first half. Callum Brittain replaced him - he slotted in at right wing-back with Williams sliding inside to the centre of defence. Mansfield started the second half much like the first, putting MK Dons under pressure. They almost grabbed an unlikely goal inside the first five minutes but substitute Calum Butcher’s defected cross landed a yard wide of Nicholls’ goal. The Dons also went close in bizarre circumstances with Lewington’s clearance on the half-way line almost looping over Olejnik and into the goal - unfortunately, his attempt landed on the roof of the net. In more routine fashion, Healey forced Olejnik into action with a left-footed drive which the Mansfield keeper did well to palm wide. The Dons then thought Agard was in but the linesman’s flag prevented him from having a go at goal from Aneke’s through pass. Agard and Aneke combined again int he 64th minute and the former was denied by a strong diving save. Gilbey followed up with a low shot of his own which was also kept out. MK Dons kept threatening and a driving forward from Gilbey led to a chance for Aneke on 69 minutes but the striker wasn’t able to get a shot away deep inside the Stags area. The hosts responded and Hamilton struck the side netting with an 20-yard attempt. Benning then saw a free-kick of his blocked by the wall and a follow-up strike saved by Nicholls. With 13 minutes remaining, MK Dons fashioned a decent opportunity for Brittain but he fired over from 15-yards out after being set up by Aneke. The MK Dons number 10 was withdrawn with seven minutes to play and was replaced by Ryan Watson as Tisdale looked to inspire his team to a late victory. Both sides created openings in the closing stages but weren't able to grab a winner. A point arguably a good result for the Dons, who secured an unbeaten October as a consequence. Starting XI: Nicholls; Walsh, Moore-Taylor (Brittain 46), Cargill; Williams, Houghton, Gilbey, Lewington (c); Agard, Aneke (Watson 84), Healey. Unused subs: Moore, Hancox, D’Ath, Simpson, Thomas-Asante. Goal: Houghton (24) Booked: Brittain, Aneke, Watson Referee: S Stockbridge ?Attendance: 4,329 (294 away) (correction by Martin - it was 394) ------------------ REPORT: Mansfield 1-1 MK Dons: Honours even at Field Mill Report by TOBY LOCK, Milton Keynes Citizen, Saturday 27 October 2018 It was a tale of two screamers as MK Dons' winning streak ended with a thrilling 1-1 draw against Mansfield on Saturday. Jordan Mellis' opening goal on 16 minutes was a sublime half-volley from 25 yards, but Jordan Houghton's effort eight minutes later challenged him for the goal of the day crown, rasping home a ferocious equaliser. Chuks Aneke hammered the base of the post shortly before half time after a brilliant spin on the edge of the box, while CJ Hamilton grazed the side-netting in the second period as both sides earned a point. Despite a disappointing first half against Notts County on Tuesday night, Paul Tisdale stuck with the same starting line-up to face Mansfield Town, with Kieran Agard keeping his place in the side despite being sacrificed at half time at Stadium MK. In a breathless opening 15 minutes, Dons were nearly gifted the lead twice by keeper Bobby Olejnik, both times spilling the ball into Agard's path, but his mistakes were not punished. Dons had conceded one goal in five games heading to Field Mill, but it would be a rocket of a goal from Jacob Mellis to open the scoring on 16 minutes. A duff free kick into the area was cleared by Alex Gilbey, but only as far as Mellis 25 yards out who wrapped his right boot around it and sent it sailing into the net, leaving Nicholls with no chance. The lead would last just eight minutes though as Dons drew level with an equally stunning strike from Jordan Houghton, firing wonderfully past Olejnik from 25 yards. Both sides were playing rapid attacking football in a bid to retake the lead, with Tyler Walker and CJ Hamilton coming close to retaking the lead for Mansfield before the best chance of the game fell to Chuks Aneke. A touch to bring it under control, Aneke spun his defender but with just the keeper to beat, he thumped the base of the post. Jordan Moore-Taylor picked up a rare knock shortly before the break, and he did not emerge for the second period, replaced by Callum Brittain. It did not reproduce the same goal-mouth action of the first, but the end-to-end nature continued, while the physicality amped up too, with a few little tussles breaking up the play and preventing it from having a decent flow. CJ Hamilton thought he had done enough to put Mansfield in front but his long-range effort stroked the side netting, while Brittain fired over from close range when teed up by Aneke, who turned into the pantomime villain during the second half. With Lincoln losing at Colchester, the result means Dons move within two points of the league leaders. Referee: Seb Stockbridge MATCHDAY LIVE: Mansfield Town vs MK Dons Attendance: 4,329 Mansfield Town: Olejnik, Benning, Preston, Pearce, Bishop, Mellis, Khan (Butcher 46), Sweeney, Walker (Davies 82), Hamilton (Atkinson 90), Rose Subs not used: Logan, Elsnik, Gibbens, Graham MK Dons: Nicholls, Walsh, Moore-Taylor (Brittain 46), Cargill, Lewington, Williams, Houghton, Gilbey, Agard, Healey, Aneke (Watson 84) Subs not used: Moore, Hancox, Simpson, D'Ath, Asonganyi Booked: Sweeney, Benning, Brittain, Watson Read more at: https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/football/mk-dons/report-mansfield-1-1-mk-dons-honours-even-at-field-mill-1-8684519 ------------------ |
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