MK Dons Report
By Eggy_Poolie
January 14 2007
Hartlepool continue their run of good form which now stretches to 11 games unbeaten, 10 of them wins and 9 of them without conceding a goal. A goal by Tony Sweeney was enough to put one over on the Dons
The game was always going to be fiery as both sides were looking for the three points to aid their promotion push but in the end it was a Tony Sweeney goal in the 55th minute which kept the points at Victoria Park.
The game started at a quick tempo and after only 9 minutes all hell kicked loose as a 17-man scrum formed on the pitch. The fight was clear evidence of how eager the 2 sides were. The referee decided that 4 bookings were necessary and Barker and Nelson went into the refs book for Pools and McLeod and Keith Andrews for the Dons.
Hartlepool had the lion share of possession in the first half and MK Dons really struggled despite having a gale force wind blowing in their favour. The first real chance of the game fell to Andy Monkhouse. James Brown played a through ball to E Williams who crossed the ball in but Andy Monkhouse’s shot sailed over the crossbar.
After 19 minutes MK Dons defender Paul Butler seemed to be substituted for Jon Paul McGovern after Butler seemed to pick up an injury but Martin Allen decided to change his mind and Butler limped back on despite the change already being made.
Hartlepool came within inches of taking the lead on 23 minutes when Humphreys floated a corner towards the far post. Andy Monkhouse just missed it and the ball just missed the goal and it went just wide.
New-boy Ritchie Barker then came close for Pools. E Williams got latched onto an aerial ball before crossing it into the box but Barker’s header went just over the bar. Barker had to work in his home debut. The defenders marked him closely but it didn’t stop him from playing some very good football and I think he will bring a lot to the team
MK Dons only really had one chance throughout the full first half. Izale McLeod ran through the middle and with the ball coming across his body all he had to do was beat Dimi but he fell over his feet and Dimi made the save.
E Williams was Pools biggest threat throughout the game and almost broke the deadlock in the 4th minute of first half stoppage time. He managed to get on the end of a great pass by Ritchie Humphreys and his left foot volley smashed off the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
Half time
Pools 0-0 Mk Dons
The second half continued in the same the first half ended. Fast tempo but Pools controlling play. In the second half Pools had the wind behind them but it wasn’t needed as Pools kept the ball on the floor and played good passing football.
It only took 10 minutes of the second half to open the scoring. Sweeney latched on to a though ball from E Williams and made no mistake blasting the shot into the bottom left corner well out of the reach of the goalkeeper. Moments later it could have been 2-0. E Williams just sending a shot wide from a Humphreys cross on the left wing
Ritchie Barker was next to try his look. A corner was flick into the path of Barker by Nelson and Barkers header from about a yard out was well saved by Harper in the Dons goal.
The game was always played at a high tempo and both sides were really going for it and it was no surprise when a player got sent off. Izale McLeod deserved everything he got after elbowing Michael Nelson in the head when jumping for the ball. Both managers afterwards said it was harsh but ask any fan inside the ground and all will agree he had to go.
MK Dons had large amounts of possession towards the end but never looked like scoring. The closest they came to challenging Dimi was a back header by Micky Barron. 4 minutes stoppage time was added on and the Dons just tried route 1 football but the gale force wind was having non of it and on several occasions the wind blew the ball backwards.
In the end it was a comfortable win for Hartlepool against one of the top teams in the division.
Full Time
Pools 1-0 MK Dons
"The table could look better; I'd prefer it if we were top - now we have to keep Walsall in our sights, that's the aim." Danny Wilson
"It was a big game for us and we knew we'd need all our battling qualities at the fore and they were thankfully." Danny Wilson
"Hartlepool played with commitment, with desire, with fight and they have some players with some quality. It is very tight now at the top of the table but there is a long way to go.” Martin Allen