Matchday Guide | MK Dons (A)

16 March 2024

Crewe Alexandra will aim to further their promotion push when they to Stadium:MK this afternoon (Saturday, 3pm).

Lee Bell’s men will take the confidence from a midweek win over Sutton into the fourth-versus-fifth clash.

The Opposition

MK Dons sit fifth in League Two after a positive spell. The Dons have won eight out of their 15 games this calendar year, beating current league leaders Mansfield just a few weeks ago.

They are contenders to bounce back to League One at the first attempt, after last term's relegation.

The Gaffer

Mike Williamson is the Dons boss after taking over earlier this season from Graham Alexander.

Williamson previously managed Gateshead before taking over at Stadium:MK. In his playing career, he represented Newcastle, Watford and Wolves.

Fighting Talk

Lee Bell: “They are a good footballing team, and he sets them up well. They keep the ball well, look to progress through the pitch and have good technicians in the team. Any game away from home in this division is tough but we will be prepared well."

Mike Williamson: “They do everything well, they can be direct their front four work so hard. Currently, they are the team in the ascendency and we want to test ourselves against the best."

Head-to-Head

Crewe have won seven of the 16 meetings between the teams. MK have won six times with the remaining three being draws.

Earlier in the season, The Alex came from behind the beat The Dons 3-1 at Mornflake Stadium, thanks to goals from Conor Thomas, Courtney Baker-Richardson and Christopher Long.

Match Officials

Paul Howard will be the man in charge, and he will be assisted by Paul Kelly and Paul Stonier. Adrian Tranter will be the fourth official.

Howard has taken charge of 22 games so far this season, handing out 79 yellow cards and two reds. One of the red cards was the dismissal of Luke Offord against Accrington back in December.

Ticket Details

Click here to buy your tickets.

How to Get There

Click here for travel information, and guidance on visiting Stadium:MK.

Elsewhere in League Two

Accrington v Notts County; AFC Wimbledon v Newport; Barrow v Harrogate Town; Bradford v Mansfield; Colchester v Walsall; Forest Green v Sutton United; Gillingham v Grimsby; Swindon v Doncaster; Wrexham v Tranmere.

Can’t Make the Game?

Crewe fans based outside of the UK can watch the clash with MK Dons live on iFollow.

An iFollow match pass for Crewe fixtures includes graphics and replays – all for just £10 (or local equivalent).

The action is complemented by commentary from the BBC Radio Stoke team of Graham McGarry and Peter Morse.

Click here to secure your iFollow match pass today and make sure you don’t miss a minute of the contest.

Fans in the UK can listen to LIVE commentary on iFollow - CLICK HERE to purchase an Audio Match Pass for just £2.50

Match Reports

Match Report | MK Dons 3 Crewe 1

16 March 2024

Railwaymen beaten on the road
Nevitt moves to 16 for season
Bell’s men drop to fifth

Crewe Alexandra were beaten 3-1 in an open and entertaining game at MK Dons

Elliott Nevitt’s 16^th of the season cancelled out a Matthew Dennis opener, but the Dons striker quickly restored his side’s advantage.

Stephen Wearne made it 3-1 before the break and that’s the way it stayed, despite a number of good chances created by Crewe in an improved second-half display.

The Alex have dropped to fifth in League Two as a result, and now prepare for the visit of AFC Wimbledon next weekend.

Manager Lee Bell made three changes to the side that beat Sutton in midweek – and two of them were enforced.

Courtney Baker-Richardson (shoulder) and Joel Tabiner (thigh) missed out, while Charlie Kirk dropped to the bench.

Aaron Rowe, Ryan Cooney and Nevitt were recalled, as the Alex operated in a 3-5-2 shape.

MK Dons, who were looking to extend a six-game unbeaten run at home, missed a glorious chance inside three minutes.

Dennis beat the offside trap and raced clear, one-on-one with keeper Tom Booth. But he dragged his shot wide.

But he was given a second bite of the cherry soon afterwards when the ball came in from the left and the number 30 was on hand to scramble home.

Rowe fired a powerful shot into the gloves of keeper Michael Kelly as the Alex tried to respond, and they were level on 19 minutes.

Rowe crossed from the left and when his marker slipped, Nevitt expertly controlled and lashed home.

But it didn’t last long. On 22 minutes the home side worked the ball through the pitch before Wearne fed Dennis to score from an angle.

And it was 3-0 shortly after when Alex Gilbey got down the left and squared for Wearne to slide into the net.

Just after the half hour Cooney was sent clear through on goal but Kelly spread himself to make a good stop.

Ed Turns headed just wide from a Conor Thomas cross, but the Alex could not net another back before the break.

Turns saw a header blocked and Shilow Tracey got behind the home defence but, knocked off balance, scooped over the bar, as Crewe pressed early in the second half.

On 69 minutes Adebisi sent a curling cross to the far post where Cooney met it with a side-foot volley, but Kenny blocked it with his feet.

Nevitt blazed over from close range and, on 75 minutes, brought a good save from the keeper after good work from Zac Williams.

Booth made super stops from Gilbey and Kyran Lofthouse as the home side looked for the killer goal.

Lewis Leigh whipped a free-kick just wide in the closing stages but The Railwaymen were beaten.

MK Dons (3-4-3): Kelly; O’Hora, Harvie, Williams; Gilbey, Bate, Payne (Norman, 73), Lofthouse; Bate, Dennis (Harrison, 72), Tomlinson, Wearne (Kemp, 63).

Subs not used: Harness, Norman, Lewington, Tezgel.

Booked: Bate, Tomlinson, Kemp.

Crewe (3-4-3): Booth; Williams, Turns (Kirk, 89), Demetriou; Cooney (Leigh, 81), Thomas, Austerfield, Adebisi, Rowe; Nevitt, Tracey.

Subs not used: Davies, Finney, Billington, Woodcock, Agius.

Booked: Turns, Cooney.

Referee: Paul Howard.

Attendance: 6,661 (719).