Match Report : 26/12/2015
Match Reports
26th December
REPORT: MK DONS 2-1 CARDIFF CITY
MK Dons took home the spoils on Boxing Day, as Josh Murphy's late strike sealed a 2-1 home victory.CITY IN CONTROL
The Bluebirds were cheered on by over 1000 travelling supporters as they took to the pitch to face Karl Robinson’s Dons, who started the day in twenty-first place.
City were well and truly on the front foot in the opening half, with Sammy Ameobi and Anthony Pilkington swapping flanks from the offset, in support of Tony Watt and Kenwyne Jones. Indeed, the Bluebirds’ attacking endeavour saw them create a number of chances, with Watt coming close before Aron Gunnarsson and the marauding Scott Malone had efforts well saved by David Martin in the Dons’ goal.
Ameobi also fired just wide of the post as Russell Slade’s men dominated proceedings against MK Dons, but couldn’t quite find the breakthrough.
GOALS AT BOTH ENDS
After the interval, City were made to pay as MK Dons grabbed the lead within five minutes. Samir Carruthers drove forward at City’s back-line, before squaring to former Bluebird Nicky Maynard, who made no mistake in finding the bottom corner.
The Bluebirds would have been wondering how they were behind in the match, as they looked to strike back in front of their vocal support. Gunnarsson had another opportunity, this time sending an effort over Martin’s goal, before the ever-impressive Watt also went close.
City looked to the substitutes’ bench as they searched for a way back into the match. Craig Noone was the man introduced to the action, and he made an instant impact, adding some extra zip to the right flank.
After whipping in a dangerous cross for Gunnarsson to head over, Noone then took matters into his own hands - cutting inside once again before firing a superb equaliser into the top corner.
DONS TAKE BOXING DAY SPOILS
That goal seemed to put the wind in City’s sails as they pushed for the winner. Pilkington and Noone were both showing plenty of creative spark for the visitors.
It looked like the Dons would be hanging on for the final whistle as the ninetieth minute approached, however, just as City looked to be back on the front foot, they were dealt a sucker punch.
The home side counter-attacked with pace and Josh Murphy broke through from the left, firing a powerful low drive underneath David Marshall. The Norwich loanee also scored the winner in our last meeting with the Dons in the Capital One Cup, and his goal proved crucial once again, securing the points for Karl Robinson’s men.
FINAL SCORE: MK DONS 2-1 CARDIFF CITY
MK Dons: Martin, Lewington, McFadzean, Kay, Potter, Reeves (Bowditch 94), Spence, Carruthers, Maynard (Gallagher 89), Murphy, Hall (Baker 69).
Subs not used: Cropper, Hodson, Church, Powell.
Cardiff City: Marshall, Peltier, Manga, Connolly, Malone, Pilkington, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Ameobi (Noone 69), Watt, Jones.
Subs not used: Moore, Fábio, Whittingham, Mason, Dikgacoi, O'Keefe.
Attendance: 12, 510
