Match Report: Yeovil Town v. MK Dons
By Alex O'Loughlin
February 28 2010
Yeovil made it two wins in a week, with a well deserved victory over promotion hopefuls MK Dons at Huish Park.
The Glovers began the game with plenty of attacking emphasis, with the final ball letting them down.
However, just before the ten minute mark MK Dons nearly snatched the lead, when Jermaine Easter cut in from the left past Craig Alcock, before blasting a venomous shot at goal which Alex McCarthy saved well.
Just minutes later another swift counter attack from the Dons allowed Aaron Wilbraham to enter the Yeovil box, before taking a tumble claiming a penalty- which referee Salisbury waved away.
Approaching the 15 minute mark, a clever Yeovil free-kick nearly ended with a smooth outcome, when Gavin Tomlin slid the ball back to Dean Bowditch who couldn't apply a finish.
The Glovers were now pressing, next to try his luck was Arron Davies, who cut in from the left and curled an effort straight at Gueret.
But the deadlock was broken on the 22nd minute, when an Arron Davies corner was half cleared to the edge of the box, which Shaun MacDonald half volleyed straight into the top corner. 1-0.
The Green and Whites were now full of confidence, with Jean-Paul Kalala trying his luck with a speculative effort, which Willy Gueret saved.
On the half hour mark an almost comical goal mouth scramble some how didn't end in a goal, after Gavin Tomlin saw his shot saved triggering a scramble in front of goal, which ended with Gueret diving on the ball.
Arron Davies tried his luck again this time his shot drifted wide.
Just a minute before half time, the Glovers lead should have been doubled when a delicious JP Kalala cross found Tomlin at the back post who headed wide from six yards out.
Half time: Yeovil Town 1-0 MK Dons
The second half began with a reversal of dominance, with the Dons looking to salvage the game.
With Yeovil failing to keep the ball, Dean Bowditch was replaced by Ryan Mason.
However the first notable chance fell Yeovil's way when a quick break look certain to produce a goal but Gavin Tomlin wastefully blasted over the bar from all off 30 yards.
MK Dons stepped up the pressure, but didn't really create any meaningful chances.
As a result, Paul Ince replaced Luke Chadwick with Dean Morgan, in search of that alluding goal.
Morgan's arrival was noticed instantly when almost with his first touch he looped a shot just over the bar.
Arron Davies had been a constant threat to MK Dons, but he is still searching for match fitness and was replaced by Andy Welsh.
That substitution turned out to be a good one, with Andy Welsh making several long, mazy runs.
Andros Townsend faced Yeovil for the second time at Huish Park, and looked dangerous on the left wing, producing some dangerous shots and crosses.
With five minutes remaining, centre back Sean O'Hanlon was brought on by Ince, as a final throw of the dice.
Terry Skiverton looked to tie up the game and withdrew Gavin Tomlin, replacing him with midfielder Keiran Murtagh.
As the 90 minute mark loomed, MK Dons had one last flurry, with first Sean O'Hanlon having a shot blocked and then after some twisting and turning Andros Townsend was denied by a great save from McCarthy.
Yeovil held on to a precious 3 points meaning in a week, they picked up 6 points. Despite MK Dons pressing in the second half, Skiverton will be pleased with his sides defence, who never really got cut open. The Yeovil boss will be hoping for a repeat performance when they travel to Norwich next week.