MK DONS 4 Chelsea XI 3 - 19 July

This was a historic moment for the club and fans of MK Dons.  The new stadium at Denbigh was finally ready for football, and just over 4,000 fans (mainly season ticket holders) were invited to the match so that the club could test the facilities prior to the start of the season.

The main issues were with parking.  Fans were waiting over 30 minutes to try and enter the car park due to only one entrance being opened.  Many other supporters decided to park in the nearby Asda car park or walked.  The concession stands and bar area were not yet complete, so temporary burger vans were located outside the entrance to the stands.

It was quite surreal to finally be inside the stadium with fans and sitting in our seats for the season.  The cushioned seats were extremely comfortable, the view superb, the sound system - quality!   And the pitch itself looked superb.  The only thing that it lacked slightly was the atmosphere that had previously developed at the smaller Hockey Stadium.  With 10,000 visitors to the West Ham game next week, it will be interesting to see how much difference this will make.

Paul Ince fielded a total of 24 players in this friendly against a Chelsea XI, giving the fans a chance to see new signings Kevin Gallen and Mark Bright as well as a number of trialists.

First impressions were very good and the Dons had a lively start and there was a noticeable difference in the style of play compared to last season.  The ball remained on the ground far more with lots of short neat passes which was a delight to see.  JP McGovern looked creative down the right, Keith Andrews looked comfortable and Drisso Diallo was solid in defense.  Colin Cameron impressed in the first half, holding the ball up well and distributing out wide to the likes of Dyer and McGovern. 

Despite a good start, the Dons found themselves 2-0 down.  Liam Bridcutt scored a cracking opening goal from 25 yards.  Only four minutes later, Chelsea had earned themselves a somewhat dubious penalty.  Younghusband was brought down by Diallo.  It looked to be clearly outside the box, but the referee pointed to the spot and Younghusband put it away for 2-0.

Within 4 minutes, the Dons had pulled one back with Kevin Gallen heading home from a Lloyd Dyer short corner.  In injury time, Keith Andrews made it 2-2 when he converted a penalty kick after Gallen had been brough down in the area.  It was no less than they deserved after impressing throughout with their entertaining style of football.

1st half team:  David Lucas, Luke Howell, Drisso Diallo, Sean O'Hanlan, Dean Lewington, JP McGovern, Keith Andrews, Colin Cameron, Lloyd Dyer, Kevin Gallen, Leon Knight

In the 2nd half, Ince fielded a completely new team, including transfer listed Izale McLeod and new signing Mark Bright.  There was proof in the 2nd half performances, that Ince has the potential of a very strong squad.  Drewe Broughton impressed up front with the formidable McLeod, who scored the first goal of the second half after beating the off side trap and slotting the ball into the back of the net with confidence.  It was Broughton who made it 4-2 with a splending penalty take (how often can we say that at the Dons!) after McLeod was brought down in the penalty area.

Yanei, despite being rather rash, looked like a useful player at left back and Abbey looked solid in goal.  Mark Wright seemed rather quiet and McKoy a little wayward with some of his passes but all in all a solid performance.

Sahar scored a cracking goal late in the game for Chelsea that even earned applause from the Dons fans.   

A thoroughly entertaining game that gives reason to hope for promotion this season.  It certainly won't be dull!

2nd half team:  Abbey, Edds, Murphy, Phillips, Yanei, Blizzard, Wright, McKoy, Stirling, Broughton, McLeod (subs used: Benjamin, Carayole)