It was more like usual February weather at the Abbey Stadium as the men in amber took on close by and promotion rivals MK Dons. Despite the morning rain, a decent crowd of 7538 including 1028 from MK prepared for the game. It was the coolest day of the week but the sun was trying to peek through. For the U’s Sullay KaiKai replaced the injured Shane McLoughlin.
United won the toss and elected to play towards the South Stand, there was a great atmosphere for such an important game. MK kicked off and the game quickly moved into passing mode as both sides looked for the advantage. A number of early fouls were spotted by referee Declan Bourne obviously chosen to referee such an important game. Following an early corner Ben Knight had an effort blocked. United had started well but following a slip in the home defence on the edge of the box by Mamadou Jobe, Jon Mellish side stepped another challenge and had a clear shot at goal. He connected well but his goal bound effort was well saved by home keeper Jake Eastwood. Dom Ball then fired wide in the next home attack. Passes were aplenty and both sides clearly had talent in a game probably at league 1 level.
Wiles fired an effort just over for MK as the game swung from end to end. Ben Knight was obviously a target for the big MK defence and was dumped on the ground a couple of times, referee Bourne playing on. United had their first shout for a penalty when Appere crossed for Brophy, Brophy taken down in an unseemly scramble. Then on 33 Sanders played Hepburn-Murphy (HM) through on goal. He looked clearly offside but as home keeper Eastwood narrowed the angle, HM shot wide. United defenders glared at the dozing assistant. The rest of the first half saw plenty of probing football with both sides playing safety first, so chances were clearly at a premium with both sides cancelling each other out and half time came at 0-0.
United in the second half played with purpose, now attacked the NRE and passed the ball with more accuracy. Pelly Mpanzu and James Gibbons were both effective as the U’s took the game to their opponents. Moments later Kell Watts crossed for Gibbons to head powerfully at goal at the far post and from about 10 yards. His downward header was very well saved by visiting keeper Craig MacGillivray. Ben Knight then broke out and was brought down by Mellish who earned a yellow card on 55. Knight was fouled moments later by Sanders and was also yellow carded. The busy Knight then running into the area appeared to be brought down by Mellish, play on said the referee, the loose ball set up Appere who fired over. On 65 United made 3 changes with Shayne Lavery, Korey Smith and Elliott Nevitt replacing KaiKai, Mpanzu and Appere.
United continued to attack but you were always wary of the MK counter attack, they are a dangerous team. MK then changed Jones and Crowley for Aaron Nemane and Scott Hogan on 74. Nevitt made his presence felt early on as after being set up by Knight he fired in a shot saved low down by MacGillvray. Lavery then set up Knight whose shot was blocked. Then on 75 Nevitt and Knight had close range efforts cleared off the line, the ball falling for Lavery who fired home from 6 yards for 1-0. It was a great moment and put the U’s on top of league 2. Referee Bourne then started awarding a number of free kicks to MK who were attempting to get back into the game Wiles crossed for Hogan to head just wide on 79. On 80 United substituted Bennett for Ben Purrington and Knight went off for Sean Raggett.
For MK, Collins and Tomlinson replaced Sanders and Mellish. On 83 MK were putting the U’s under real pressure with Ekpiteta headed to HB in the clear to the left of the 6 yard box. However alert keeper Eastwood was out in a flash and saved low down. Nevitt was then booked by the referee, I presume for kicking the away some 5 yards against the main stand wall, It looked totally pointless. Nelson then fired in a low effort, again well saved by Eastwood who was working hard. MK were putting in a real effort now. The U’s holding on though. Collins had a shot blocked followed by Tomlinson firing over as we played 5 minutes of stoppage time. United had a corner and a free kick in quick succession but didn’t attack the MK goal just looking to waste time. On 93 MK replaced Ekpiteta with Lomonheigh-Evans. United should really have killed the game off but were rather guilty of defending too deeply and giving the ball away. There is no real excuse though for the several occasions MK players taking long throws, were allowed to steal over 10 yards a time.
As the game passed into the last of the 5 added minutes MK attacked and the ball was played through to Nemane to the left of the area. Raggett was shadowing him when Nemane went down. Penalty said referee Bourne. Of course United players protested. I have played back the incident a number of times (of course the referee cannot do this). I have to say it was a very poor decision with minimal if any contact. Collins sent Eastwood the wrong way to make it 1-1. The game finished moments later at 1-1. I feel the penalty was unjust. However MK had earned a draw.
Many I spoke to were saying they would have been happy with a point before KO. There is no doubt that MK are a good side but the game was won and conceding a penalty right on the left side with no apparent danger was hard to take. Perhaps the U’s should not defend so deeply and could have been more precise with their passing. United had to work hard today against just about the best visiting team I’ve seen this season. The players put in a real shift today and showed everyone they are a team to be reckoned with. Gibbons, Mpanzu and Knight all played well but keeper Jake Eastwood was my man of the match.
Ref Watch – Declan Bourne – 6 A curious game for a referee who started so well. He played advantage when he could, but did not give Ben Knight much protection. I would also like him to look again at the 3 penalty incidents in the game. The one he awarded being the least convincing.
Richard Stephen