MK Dons

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Not been able to see MKs full line up but at least we know Collins, one of their major signings is playing.

[CottyRover]

This is sounding promising so far. Keep it up, lads!

[ncRover]

MK have their star signings in attack playing against us but it looks like they've fielded a stronger defence and midfield in their other game.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Goal
The lead is doubled. Damola Ajayi turns provider this time, surging to the byline and cutting the ball back for Luke Molyneux to turn in at close range.

24
Saved
Thimothée Lo-Tutala makes a comfortable save from Aaron Collins' shot from the edge of the box.

20
Saved
Jordan Gibson collects the ball 30 yards out and shifts onto his right foot before lashing a low effort that MK Dons keeper Craig MacGillivray gets behind well.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

28. Goal
MK Dons pull a goal back - and it's some goal as well. Kane Thompson-Sommers carries the ball into the middle and curls a brilliant effort into the far top corner from the edge of the box.

[donnievic]

3-1 rovers

Hanlon

[DonnyBazR0ver]

3-1 rovers

Hanlon

Brill.

33. Goal
The two goal margin is restored - and it's Brandon Hanlan on the scoresheet. It comes from his endeavour as he presses the defender, robs the ball away, pushes forward and lashes a shot home across goal.

[CottyRover]

Shame about their goal, but this is sounding good!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

38. Saved
A corner is only half cleared out to George Broadbent, who brings the ball under control and drills a low shot which takes a deflection but it gathered at full stretch by Craig MacGillivray

36
Saved
Luke Molyneux powers a free kick in from the right touchline and it needs a save from Craig MacGillivray to bat it away from goal.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

45+2
Half time
That's the break. And we lead at half time

43
Saved
Thimothee Lo-Tutala gets down well at the foot of his post to keepe out Jack Sanders' downward header from a Liam Kelly free kick.

[CottyRover]

Let's hope for more of the same in the second half

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Comments from MK forum...

   
East Wing Don wrote:
FilthyD wrote:
Not that it matters, but to me it looks a noticeably stronger side against Wealdstone - Jones, Thompson, Tomlinson, Offord, Gilbey, Collar, Hepburn-Murphy - all players you'd think would be our best 11. Only "best 11" players against Donny are Collins, NML, Sanders and Lemon.

Good to see Troso continue to get game time, but could end up just being like other pre-seasons where a couple of the academy players look strong and then disappear early in the season.


Yeah potential for a very demolishing results against Donny. No where near full strength 11 with only academy lads on the bench.

Strange decision, regardless of it being preseason.


It doesn't matter. Not a strange decision at all. Only focus is fitness.

_________________


Joined: Mon May 13, 2024 12:39 am
Posts: 1318   
All three teams losing at HT:

Doncaster 3-1 MK
Wealdstone 1-0 MK
Leighton Town 1-0 MK XI/Dev Squad

[donnyguy]

Zain Westbrooke replaces Harry Clifton at the break for Rovers

[Alan Southstand]

So, their reputed ‘strongest’ 11 is losing to a National league side! Only half time in both games, of course.

In other news - Sheff U beating Rotherham 1-0 (ht) and Barnsley 2-0 up at Harrogate (with Bobby Faulkner playing).

[DonnyBazR0ver]

So, their reputed ‘strongest’ 11 is losing to a National league side! Only half time in both games, of course.

In other news - Sheff U beating Rotherham 1-0 (ht) and Barnsley 2-0 up at Harrogate (with Bobby Faulkner playing).

Yes, that made me chuckle seeing their other HT score.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

68. Missed
Jonathan Leko narrowly clears the crossbar from the edge of the box for MK Dons

50
A bright start to the second half for Rovers with some excellent play down the right.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

69. 69
Huge penalty shout for Rovers. Damola Ajayi shows tremendous skill to twice beat his man from the touchline and surge into the box. He certainly seemed to have his heel clipped and he tumbled but the referee was unmoved.

[rover-n-out]

Any comments on how Grehan and Pearson are doing in defence, do they look like a good pairing?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

77. Shot blocked
It should be four for Rovers as the ball is pulled back to Luke Molyneux 15 yards out and he looks certain to find the bottom corner before an outstretched boot turns it narrowly off target.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

90+3
Full time
All over here. Another pre-season win for Rovers

82
Missed
Aaron Collins looks to catch out Thimothee Lo-Tutala from the corner of the box but his effort is narrowly over.

[Alan Southstand]

Barnsley 3-0
Sheff U 5-0

[steve@dcfd]

So we won 3 1 and Wealdstone won 1.  0 so where most MKds first team players where they both lost.
So not a bad week really Our two first team squads of 22/23 players have scored 10 and conceded 1 against League 2 half squad and a National league squad

[GazLaz]

I won’t today and I thought we looked sharp. Fit, organised, and ready for the start of the season.

[Chris Black come back]

Had forgotten Warne had gone there. Will be one type of player and one style of play there. Nobody under 6”2 and pretty much everyone will have played for him before I bet.

[philsky]

Any comments on how Grehan and Pearson are doing in defence, do they look like a good pairing?

They looked solid to me - very composed.

While I'm on, Mols was a different class, Sterry was excellent, Gibson started brightly but faded a bit. Westbrooke came on for Clifton and did a good job.

Love TLT and need him to distributed quicker and longer for Mols and Gibson.

[GazLaz]

Had forgotten Warne had gone there. Will be one type of player and one style of play there. Nobody under 6”2 and pretty much everyone will have played for him before I bet.

MK were a big side. Heard Warne saying “don’t pass short, there is plenty of grass in behind”.

[donnyguy]

McCanns thoughts on today

https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2025/july/19/mccann-wants-more-from-rovers-despite-mk-dons-friendly-win/

[RoversInSpain]

His demands are nice and clear. The new boys will soon learn to win and win in the right way…No room for half heartedness…. A lot of folk moaned about the Blackpool friendly, it makes perfect sense, it’s basically a league 1 tester, so who’s up for it?

[MachoMadness]

Ajayi scores again... Grant's done it again  hasn't he?

Hope you're right but I remember Aiden Barlow being prolific in pre season. Hard to judge these pre season games.

Having said that he does look a cut above. Sure he'll have struggles as all young players do but its all promising so far.

[Rovers91]

Ajayi scores again... Grant's done it again  hasn't he?

Hope you're right but I remember Aiden Barlow being prolific in pre season. Hard to judge these pre season games.

Having said that he does look a cut above. Sure he'll have struggles as all young players do but its all promising so far.

Seems like GM might have pulled one off with this signing, obviously spurs think something of him you don't play Europa league if not. But how he has hit pre season running think this kid could be a right handful for defences especially with freedom GM will give him.