Report: Fleetwood Town 1-4 MK Dons
MK Dons returned to winning ways in style courtesy of a superb performance on the road at Fleetwood Town.
Ryan Colclough scored a hat-trick and Dean Bowditch converted from the spot as Karl Robinson’s men enjoyed a richly-deserved success by the seaside.
The men from MK1 started well, asking questions and forcing their opponents to defend in the early exchanges.
However, the first chance of the afternoon fell to Fleetwood and David Ball, who headed over when well placed after the hosts had recycled the ball.
The Dons were more clinical with their first opportunity, though, as Ryan Colclough found the far corner with a right-footed finish after beating his defender. 0-1.
Maynard was denied a shooting opportunity shortly afterwards by a last-ditch challenge in the Fleetwood box, as the Dons pushed for a second goal.
At the other end, centre-backs Joe Walsh and Paul Downing were on hand to clear the danger – the latter putting in a superb block to deny Jimmy Ryan.
Karl Robinson’s men hit back with a shot from Colclough which was well blocked, while Dean Lewington couldn’t quite pick out Maynard, who had made a clever run between the defenders.
Maynard was again involved on 36 minutes as he brought a save from Chris Neal after Kieran Agard had latched on to Ed Upson’s smart ball and crossed.
The Dons were defending well but they had the woodwork to thank just before the break when Nathan Pond’s header clipped the top of the bar.
Colclough almost doubled his and the Dons’ tally in the first minute of the second half but Neal got down well to save his 20-yard drive before Pond cleared the loose ball.
Three minutes later, a back-pass presented a shooting opportunity for the Dons and Maynard forced a goal-line clearance before Lewington’s follow-up was blocked. Nearly a second.
However, it was deservedly 2-0 on 61 minutes when Dean Bowditch sent Neal the wrong way from the spot after he had been fouled by Ryan. 0-2.
It got even better for the Dons on 68 minutes, and what a goal it was – Colclough latched on to Martin’s perfect pass from his area, beat his man and fired past Neal. Brilliant counter-attack. 0-3.
Fleetwood refused to lie down and they hit back within two minutes, Bobby Grant finding the net from 20 yards after he was picked out by Conor McLaughlin.
Substitute and former Don Devante Cole put wide after being put through one-on-one as Uwe Rosler’s men looked to further reduce the arrears, but the Dons soon regained control.
That didn’t deter the Dons, who continued to push forward and they were rewarded with a second penalty after George Baldock was tripped. Colclough stepped up and made no mistake to complete his hat-trick and wrap up a superb afternoon’s work by the seaside. 1-4.
Starting XI: Martin; Baldock, Walsh, Downing, Lewington (c); Potter, Upson; Agard, Bowditch (Carruthers 75), Colclough (GC Williams 90+1); Maynard.
Unused subs: Nicholls, GB Williams, Hendry, Reeves, Tshimanga.
Goals: Colclough (9, 68 & 90), Bowditch (61).
Booking: Colclough.
Attendance: 2,518 (247 Dons fans).
Ryan Colclough scored a hat-trick and Dean Bowditch converted from the spot as Karl Robinson’s men enjoyed a richly-deserved success by the seaside.
The men from MK1 started well, asking questions and forcing their opponents to defend in the early exchanges.
However, the first chance of the afternoon fell to Fleetwood and David Ball, who headed over when well placed after the hosts had recycled the ball.
The Dons were more clinical with their first opportunity, though, as Ryan Colclough found the far corner with a right-footed finish after beating his defender. 0-1.
Maynard was denied a shooting opportunity shortly afterwards by a last-ditch challenge in the Fleetwood box, as the Dons pushed for a second goal.
At the other end, centre-backs Joe Walsh and Paul Downing were on hand to clear the danger – the latter putting in a superb block to deny Jimmy Ryan.
Karl Robinson’s men hit back with a shot from Colclough which was well blocked, while Dean Lewington couldn’t quite pick out Maynard, who had made a clever run between the defenders.
Maynard was again involved on 36 minutes as he brought a save from Chris Neal after Kieran Agard had latched on to Ed Upson’s smart ball and crossed.
The Dons were defending well but they had the woodwork to thank just before the break when Nathan Pond’s header clipped the top of the bar.
Colclough almost doubled his and the Dons’ tally in the first minute of the second half but Neal got down well to save his 20-yard drive before Pond cleared the loose ball.
Three minutes later, a back-pass presented a shooting opportunity for the Dons and Maynard forced a goal-line clearance before Lewington’s follow-up was blocked. Nearly a second.
However, it was deservedly 2-0 on 61 minutes when Dean Bowditch sent Neal the wrong way from the spot after he had been fouled by Ryan. 0-2.
It got even better for the Dons on 68 minutes, and what a goal it was – Colclough latched on to Martin’s perfect pass from his area, beat his man and fired past Neal. Brilliant counter-attack. 0-3.
Fleetwood refused to lie down and they hit back within two minutes, Bobby Grant finding the net from 20 yards after he was picked out by Conor McLaughlin.
Substitute and former Don Devante Cole put wide after being put through one-on-one as Uwe Rosler’s men looked to further reduce the arrears, but the Dons soon regained control.
That didn’t deter the Dons, who continued to push forward and they were rewarded with a second penalty after George Baldock was tripped. Colclough stepped up and made no mistake to complete his hat-trick and wrap up a superb afternoon’s work by the seaside. 1-4.
Starting XI: Martin; Baldock, Walsh, Downing, Lewington (c); Potter, Upson; Agard, Bowditch (Carruthers 75), Colclough (GC Williams 90+1); Maynard.
Unused subs: Nicholls, GB Williams, Hendry, Reeves, Tshimanga.
Goals: Colclough (9, 68 & 90), Bowditch (61).
Booking: Colclough.
Attendance: 2,518 (247 Dons fans).
