A Bright Future

By: Andrew Doherty
Date: 06/09/2025

I watched our Pointless Trophy game on tv against a strong Bradford side in midweek and like Head Coach Artell was encouraged. It was great to see younger players Auton, Graham and Onoh playing well after a nervous start.

The team effort as a whole exuded character after the referee bizarrely and incorrectly decided to give a subsequently overturned red card to Henry Brown in the first half. There are so many pointers to a bright future for Town at the moment. It's been a while since we've been able to say that. This said, we do need to get back on track after last Saturday's disappointment at home to Bristol Rovers. MK Dons have similar promotion aspirations to us, and have more money to do it, so today's encounter at the corporate void-like Stadium MK was going to be a tough test.

Town's line-up today was: Pym - Rodgers, Warren, McJannet, Sweeney - McEachren - Burns, Green, Khouri, Vernam - Kabia. The concern last Saturday was that the reserve squad players didn't step up so whilst it will be important for all the squad to be involved over the course of the season, it was good to see a stronger and arguably more stable starting XI. The only question was the inclusion of the enthusiasm of Kabia at the expense of the experienced Rose. Town wore their Crystal Palace imitation kit today. 7, 758 were here today but still swathes of emptiness characterised the MK Stadium on this pleasant afternoon.

Within 2 minutes Town broke quickly with McEachen sending Burns away

The pass to the advancing Khouri resulted in an uncontrolled attempt. It was early days but Khouri seems to have taken over from Holohan in the wasted shots department. MK came back a dangerous attack and cross from Wilson. Hogan's headed flick was touched on by McJannet for a corner. Kelly then fired wild and high. Both sides looked to get forward. Offers received a yellow card for hacking down Vernam. The ball was worked forward from the free kick. With Kabia and Khouri taking control in the middle, the ball was laid off to Vernam who rounded the defender on the left and passed the ball into the box for Green who had run on to get ahead of the defender and was able to stab the ball home. Great goal and a great start for Town with 8 minutes gone. MK 0, Town 1. MK won a corner on 12 minutes after a rare mistake from McEachren. Three minutes later Vernam got a shot in after good work by Sweeney and Green to move the ball forward. MK won a free kick on 19 minutes after a Green foul following a short pass. The resultant cross found Paterson who headed wide. Town's fans made noise. MK's didn't. Another good Town move saw a headed flick find Burns who supplied Kabia. MacGillivray came out and saved with his legs. Town came back. Vernam cut inside and shot. MacGillivray was unable to hold it. Kabia was on hand to drive the ball into the net from close range. MK 0, Town 2. Great work by Kabia set up another opportunity on 28 minutes. Vernam lost possession but again Town retrieved the ball, with McEachren finding Vernam on the left. Vernam surged forward, cut inside and slammed the ball into the top corner past the helpless MacGillivray from outside the box. MK 0, Town 3. With 33 minutes gone, Gilbey clattered McEachren in the MK half. The MK manager took advantage by making a substitution. Town looked eager. Rodgers cut out a threat with an excellent tackle on Hepburn-Murphy before Kelly fired a shot well over. Town moved the ball upfield. Mellish and Kabia challenged for the bouncing ball. Kabia looked to be kicked in the face. Mellish received a straight red card. The ensuing free kick came to nothing with Green being unable to get power on his header from Sweeney's cross. Kabia went close again after more good work on the left by Town. Purposeful passing in the MK half saw more pressure from Town. Wilson blocked a Vernam cross - corner to Town. McEachren got power behind a shot which MacGillivray parried. Fortunately for MK the ball landed clear of Town players. Rodgers supplied Green who slipped as dominant Town had yet another chance. With 4 minutes added, Burns and Rodgers sought to wriggle through the defence, winning a corner. Vernam's delivery was good. Sweeney found Burns whose shot from 12 yards was deflected. At half time it remained 3 - 0 to Town. Town's performance has been majestic. We showed desire and energy. The movement was purposeful and incisive. We completely dominated MK with our play, and the 3 - 0 score line was no more than we deserved. It's become an impressive feature of our play that we do take a lead we continue to go forward and play without resorting to sitting back and grimly defending a lead. Nine shots on target for Town speaks for itself. With 45 minutes left, the mindset needed to be the same.

MK started the second half on the offensive, winning a corner. The ball came out to Ekpiteta who crossed. McEachen was unsighted and chested the ball into the net for an own goal. MK 1, Town 3. In spite of having a goal to their credit, MK hadn't had a shot on target so far. MK continue to apply pressure and won another corner on 51 minutes. Town had their first attack of the half on 53 minutes but McEachren gave the ball away. After a shaky start, Town gained possession and played the ball patiently. McJannet showed good energy but his cross was blocked, as things started to even up after earlier MK pressure. Town's play unsurprisingly was not as fluid as in the first period. Town went close on 59 minutes after MacGillivray spilled a low cross before Burns crossed over the keeper, the ball being put out for a corner. With an hour gone, Town were starting to dominate proceedings again. McJannet beat Hepburn-Murphy to the ball and started a move but Green's cross was poor. The quality of the first half wasn't there but Town were still in control. Ekipiteta went close with a header before Town responded and Kabia was pulled down in midfield. Town had a sustained spell of possession as the 70 minute mark approached, with Khouri and then Burns getting crosses in. Soonsup-Bell came on for Vernam. MK had a short attacking spell. The ball came out to Kabia who was pulled down. The offender Kelly received a yellow card for preventing Kabia's progress. The teams battled for the ball without any signs of a threat as the clock continued to tick down. As Town laboured, Burns kicked Gilbey when challenging for the ball, conceding a free kick 35 yards out in the Town half. 83 minutes had gone. Rose came on for Kabia before MK won a corner. Sanders's header was cleanly gathered by Pym. McEachren then received a yellow card for a tackle on Crowley, conceding another free kick in a dangerous area. For a moment it as if MK were going to get a penalty for a foul and possible handball by Green but the referee declined the strong appeal. On 88 minutes Eccleston came on for Burns. MK continued to press. Paterson delivered a long throw from the right near the corner. The ball bounced between the defenders and came to Lemonheigh-Evans inside the box. Lemonheigh-Evans chested the ball down and fired his shot past Pym. MK 2, Town 3. With 3 minutes added and McJannet off the field following an injury, MK had a free kick. Crowley's delivery was poor but MK attacked again. A cross came in from the right. Sanders's spectacular overhead kick landed just over the bar. Time was up. Milton Keynes Dons 2, Grimsby Town 3. In the end Town had to hang on for the win.

The second half wasn't comfortable for Town, who lacked the control and intensity of the first 45 minutes. A response from MK was to be expected after their disastrous first half but with the exception of the occasional spell of possession, Town struggled to contain the home side. It's hard to be critical after such an important win, but Town didn't manage the game in the second half to the point where they allowed MK's 10 men back in the game. Ultimately however this was an excellent win, and Town's outstanding first half performance deserves praise and provided evidence to suggest that our future is bright.

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