Milton Keynes Dons

v Wrexham

Saturday 17 March 2007

 

Kick Off @ 15:00



The Match

Wrexham face a difficult task to build on the four points in the last two games and will have to do so with three players out suspended. Any points from the promotion chasing Dons will be a bonus but we do need something with four of the teams down the bottom playing each other.

The Dons

The Dons climbed to fourth spot following the comfortable 3-0 midweek home win over Macclesfield after dropping out of the top three following last weekend's 4-0 hammering at Peterborough. The Posh already had a two goal lead before being reduced to ten men but went on to double their advantage with a couple of late goals.

 

This was the Dons first defeat since the end of January when they also got hammered 5-0 at Rochdale but are unbeaten at home since New Year's Day when they lost 1-0 to Swindon Town.

 

Their record at the National Hockey Stadium has them ranked fifth overall in the home league with 11 wins from 18 games with 3 draws and four defeats. In the previous match at home, prior to the midweek win over Macclesfield, the Dons came from 2-1 down to defeat Boston 3-2 courtesy of two late goals but up to then this was their only win in the last five games following a run of three successive draws.

 

The Dons have the best record in the league against teams in the bottom half of the table with 15 wins out of 20 games where as they have won only four out of sixteen against teams in the top half.

 

Martin AllenTop goal scorer for the Dons is Izale Mcleod and the former Derby striker has netted 22 times so far this season and was named League Two player of the year at last month's annual Football League Awards. Mcleod is well backed up by strike partner Clive Platt who has scored 14 goals this season with all of them coming in the league.

 

Manager Martin Allen joined the Dons in the summer, replacing Danny Wilson as manager who was dismissed after failing to keep them in League 1 last season. Allen was in charge of Brentford last season and surprisingly resigned his position after the Bees lost in last season's play off semi final to Swansea.

Past Encounters

Last 5 Meetings

Oct 06: Wrexham 1 Mk Dons 2
Feb 05: Wrexham 0 Mk Dons 0
Dec 04: MK Dons 3 Wrexham 0
Jan 98: Wrexham 0 Wimbledon 1
Jan 98: Wimbledon 0 Wrexham 0

The clubs have only met on three occasions in the league with Wrexham yet to win any of the games.

 

The original fixture at the Racecourse last October saw the Dons come back from a Neil Roberts first half goal to take all three points courtesy of second half strikes from McLeod and O'Hanlon

 

The first league encounter was back in December 2004 when MK Dons ran out comfortable 3-0 winners with the other match at the Racecourse ending goalless.

 

The overall league record sees MK Dons with two wins and there has been one draw in the four games played.

League Form Guide

Team Last 5 Games League Form Last Win
Wrexham DLLWD 22nd 22nd 2 games
MK Dons DDWLW 4th 9th Last game

Team News

Wrexham Team News: Wrexham welcome back Michael Ingham and Danny Williams back to the squad following injury but are without three suspended Welsh internationals - Ryan Valentine, Steve Evans and Chris Llewellyn - for the trip down south to Milton Keynes. Robbie Garret and Michael Carvill have returned OK from their midweek trip with Northern Ireland and Josh Johnson returns to the squad after impressing for the reserves.

MK Dons Team News: The second home game in five games for the Dons sees a few players carrying knocks but don't expect many changes to the starting line up. Aaron Wilbraham is the main doubt and he will undergo a fitness test on his ankle knock whilst winger Jamie Smith remains a doubt after he missed the midweek game with the same problem.

Other Games

League 2 Fixtures:

Friday:
Chester v Rochdale
Shrewsbury v Peterborough

Saturday:
Accrington Stanley v Torquay
Bristol Rovers v Notts County
Bury v Macclesfield
Darlington v Hereford
Grimsby v Swindon
Lincoln City v Barnet
Mansfield v Boston United
Milton Keynes Dons v Wrexham
Stockport v Hartlepool
Wycombe v Walsall

The big game down the bottom of the table sees rock bottom Torquay travel to fourth bottom Accrington for a big six pointer especially with the home side facing possible points deduction after playing ineligible players.

 

The second six pointer of the afternoon pairs sixth bottom Bury at home to Macclesfield who are only one point and a place behind the Shakers.

 

Second bottom Boston will be looking to build on their victory against Bristol Rovers with a trip to mid table Mansfield.

Venue Guide

Address: The National Hockey Stadium, Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 1FA.

Telephone Number: 01908 607090

Fax Number: 01908 209449

MK Dons Websites

How to get there?

By Car: Head south from Wrexham on the A483 and A5 past Shrewsbury onto the M54. Continue on the M54 until it joins the M6 southbound at junction 10a and then continue on the M6 until it joins the M1 southbound. Leave the M1 at junction 14 and at the roundabout take the third exit turning right onto the A509. Milton Keynes is full of roundabouts so it would be helpful if you had some one counting with you as you continue straight on at the the next EIGHT! - taking the third exit at the first then second exit at the rest. At the ninth roundabout (North Grafton) take the first exit turning left and the ground will be straight at head of you with entrance, you guessed it, off a roundabout! Distance = 150 miles, Time = 3 hours.

By Train: Milton Keynes station is located next to the ground and is only a three minute walk. Simply turn left out of the station and walk straight on and the ground will be ahead of you. Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.

When you are there
Car Parking: With in a ten minute walk there are pay and display car parks with 2,000 places with the ones closest to the ground located on your left after you have turned left at the ninth roundabout. Around the home end the cost is £1 for five hours but areas marked in red can cost up to £5 for the same time.

Beer and Grub: Away fans are welcome in the Chicago Rock cafe outside the station. If you arrive early then head into the Weatherspoons in the centre. It is located behind the Abbey national head office by following Midsummer Boulevard which is the road from the railway station heading towards the central shopping area and you will find other chain pubs further up this road. There is also a Burger King and McDonalds a couple of minutes walk away from the North Stand.

Cash Machines: There is an Abbey National machine at the train station and their head office on Boulevard Avenue.

How much to get in?

North Stand: Adults £16, Concessions £11, Juniors £9, Under 7s free.


In our last visit we were located behind one goal but this time we have the stand that only covers a third of one side of the pitch. This stand is also open to the elements.

Disabled Facilities

Not many details available with reports from other fans not too good. Parking is from within stadium car park although this is the wrong end for away supporters. Access to stadium is easy with a port-a-loo toilet not really suitable for wheelchair users. Last time the designated area was in the front of the away stand but this has since moved and there are no details about any alternative arrangements. Admission is at the concession price with the helper getting in for free.

Weather Forecast

Sunny with temperatures reaching 12 degrees Celsius and a 20 mph westerly wind.