Report: Oldham Athletic 1-3 Dons
The Dons returned to winning ways thanks to an impressive 3-1 triumph at Oldham Athletic.
Goals from Dean Bowditch and Daniel Powell saw the men from MK1 2-0 up at the break, a lead which they extended on 65 minutes courtesy of a stunning Ben Reeves strike.
The Latics pulled one back through Rhys Turner but the damage had already been done as Karl Robinson’s side made it four points from two tough games on the road.
Lee Hodson, Lewis Baker and Daniel Powell replaced Jordan Spence, Darren Potter (suspended) and Carl Baker in the starting XI.
The Dons were almost ahead in the third minute when Jake Kean fumbled Dean Bowditch’s effort into the path of Will Grigg, who hit the post with the rebound.
Karl Robinson’s men maintained their high tempo in the opening exchanges as Dean Lewington raced into the box before being eventually crowded out following more impressive build-up play.
Oldham responded with a spell of their own as the 10-minute mark approached, but the Dons dealt comfortably with the potential danger.
However, the hosts could have gone in front eight minutes later when Jonathan Forte broke into the box and sent in a cross which just evaded Connor Brown six yards out.
At the other end, Kean kept the Latics on level terms shortly afterwards with a stunning one-handed save to deny Grigg, who had been brilliantly picked out by Ben Reeves.
There was nothing Kean nor Oldham could do on 25 minutes though as Samir Carruthers pounced on a loose ball and played in Bowditch, who rifled a superb left-footed effort into the opposite corner from just inside the box – a fine goal. 0-1
Grigg had the ball in the net two minutes later courtesy of a fine lobbed finish but the linesman’s flag was up to deny a second Dons goal in quick succession.
Daniel Powell and Reeves then had crosses blocked as the men from MK1 kept their feet firmly on the pedal while, at the other end, McFadzean made a stunning tackle to deny Forte a shot on goal after a smart interchange with Conor Wilkinson.
David Martin was called into action on the first real occasion on 35 minutes, expertly smothering Forte’s effort after racing from his goal.
Still looking a major threat at all times going forward, the Dons went deservedly 2-0 up on 37 minutes when Powell tapped home close range after an initial brilliant burst from the excellent Carruthers. 0-2
A last-ditch tackle from Timothee Dieng denied Grigg a shot from 15 yards on 42 minutes after the Northern Ireland international had worked hard to fashion the chance.
Oldham came ever so close to reducing the arrears within a minute of the restart but Conor Wilkinson’s shot came back off the post.
Wilkinson then curled an effort not too far past the left-hand post and Dieng headed over as the Latics began the second half on the front foot.
The Dons responded with a shot from Reeves which forced Kean into a save at his near post on 55 minutes.
Reeves was not to be denied his seventh goal of the season 10 minutes later though, receiving a pass from substitute Carl Baker before curling a stunning 25-yard effort into the top left-hand corner. 0-3
It was nearly 4-0 on 72 minutes but Grigg lifted his effort just over the top from Reeves’ delivery from the right-hand side.
A quickly-taken free-kick involving McFadzean and Carruthers created a chance for a fourth but Grigg fired Reeves’ cut-back over the top on 80 minutes.
Oldham got one back a minute later when substitute Rhys Turner burst into the box and fired low past Martin from 12 yards. 1-3
Instead of the hosts upping the pressure since their goal, it was the Dons who were looking the more likely to score again and only a last-ditch denied substitute Mark Randall doing just that.
MK Dons: Martin; Hodson, Kay, McFadzean, Lewington (c); Carruthers, L Baker; Powell (Spence 90+3), Reeves (Randall 89), Bowditch (C Baker 53); Grigg.
Unused subs: Burns, Walsh, Green, Cole.
Goals: Bowditch (25), Powell (37), Reeves (65).
Attendance: 2,455 (66 Dons fans).
Goals from Dean Bowditch and Daniel Powell saw the men from MK1 2-0 up at the break, a lead which they extended on 65 minutes courtesy of a stunning Ben Reeves strike.
The Latics pulled one back through Rhys Turner but the damage had already been done as Karl Robinson’s side made it four points from two tough games on the road.
Lee Hodson, Lewis Baker and Daniel Powell replaced Jordan Spence, Darren Potter (suspended) and Carl Baker in the starting XI.
The Dons were almost ahead in the third minute when Jake Kean fumbled Dean Bowditch’s effort into the path of Will Grigg, who hit the post with the rebound.
Karl Robinson’s men maintained their high tempo in the opening exchanges as Dean Lewington raced into the box before being eventually crowded out following more impressive build-up play.
Oldham responded with a spell of their own as the 10-minute mark approached, but the Dons dealt comfortably with the potential danger.
However, the hosts could have gone in front eight minutes later when Jonathan Forte broke into the box and sent in a cross which just evaded Connor Brown six yards out.
At the other end, Kean kept the Latics on level terms shortly afterwards with a stunning one-handed save to deny Grigg, who had been brilliantly picked out by Ben Reeves.
There was nothing Kean nor Oldham could do on 25 minutes though as Samir Carruthers pounced on a loose ball and played in Bowditch, who rifled a superb left-footed effort into the opposite corner from just inside the box – a fine goal. 0-1
Grigg had the ball in the net two minutes later courtesy of a fine lobbed finish but the linesman’s flag was up to deny a second Dons goal in quick succession.
Daniel Powell and Reeves then had crosses blocked as the men from MK1 kept their feet firmly on the pedal while, at the other end, McFadzean made a stunning tackle to deny Forte a shot on goal after a smart interchange with Conor Wilkinson.
David Martin was called into action on the first real occasion on 35 minutes, expertly smothering Forte’s effort after racing from his goal.
Still looking a major threat at all times going forward, the Dons went deservedly 2-0 up on 37 minutes when Powell tapped home close range after an initial brilliant burst from the excellent Carruthers. 0-2
A last-ditch tackle from Timothee Dieng denied Grigg a shot from 15 yards on 42 minutes after the Northern Ireland international had worked hard to fashion the chance.
Oldham came ever so close to reducing the arrears within a minute of the restart but Conor Wilkinson’s shot came back off the post.
Wilkinson then curled an effort not too far past the left-hand post and Dieng headed over as the Latics began the second half on the front foot.
The Dons responded with a shot from Reeves which forced Kean into a save at his near post on 55 minutes.
Reeves was not to be denied his seventh goal of the season 10 minutes later though, receiving a pass from substitute Carl Baker before curling a stunning 25-yard effort into the top left-hand corner. 0-3
It was nearly 4-0 on 72 minutes but Grigg lifted his effort just over the top from Reeves’ delivery from the right-hand side.
A quickly-taken free-kick involving McFadzean and Carruthers created a chance for a fourth but Grigg fired Reeves’ cut-back over the top on 80 minutes.
Oldham got one back a minute later when substitute Rhys Turner burst into the box and fired low past Martin from 12 yards. 1-3
Instead of the hosts upping the pressure since their goal, it was the Dons who were looking the more likely to score again and only a last-ditch denied substitute Mark Randall doing just that.
MK Dons: Martin; Hodson, Kay, McFadzean, Lewington (c); Carruthers, L Baker; Powell (Spence 90+3), Reeves (Randall 89), Bowditch (C Baker 53); Grigg.
Unused subs: Burns, Walsh, Green, Cole.
Goals: Bowditch (25), Powell (37), Reeves (65).
Attendance: 2,455 (66 Dons fans).
