Preview: MK Dons

3 September 2021

Following a run of four consecutive away games Cheltenham Town host MK Dons at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Saturday (kick-off: 3pm).

The Robins begin September with a tricky test against the Dons who are in good form heading into the contest.

Looking to start a difficult month on a positive footing though, Cheltenham will relish being back at home for another exciting afternoon of League One football.

Tickets for Saturday's match are available to buy online. Buy before midnight on Friday to save £2 on matchday prices.

Team news

Kyle Joseph could be handed his debut after his deadline day arrival from Swansea City on loan. Fellow deadline signing, Christian Norton, won't be involved though as he's got a groin injury that has prevented him from linking up with the squad so far.

Mattie Pollock (pictured) could be in line to make his first League appearance after he started Tuesday's Papa John's Trophy tie at Bristol Rovers.

Forward Kyle Vassell will hope to be involved again after playing in the second half on Tuesday. Charlie Raglan misses the game because of injury.

Media talk

Michael Duff is expecting an MK Dons side who will look to control the game on Saturday when he spoke to the media this week.

"They've changed their manager, but Liam (Manning) has come in and they've brought him in for a reason. He hasn't changed anything really in terms of the way they want to play. There is a definite footprint of how they want to play, what their teams look like.

"They have some really, really good players. I went to watch them last week against Accrington and they want to dominate the ball, which is fine. I have no problem with teams having more of the ball than us, but it's important we try and dictate where they have the ball."

You can watch Duff's full press conference on iFollow. New signing Mattie Pollock has also been previewing the game - watch exclusively on iFollow.

Opposition

The Dons won in midweek at League One rivals Burton Albion in the Papa John's Trophy to make it four games unbeaten heading into Saturday - three of which have resulted in wins.

They have a strong squad that includes a dangerous front line. One of their forwards is former Robins favourite Mo Eisa, though he'll miss the game with a groin injury.

Despite that it may mean former Swindon Town youngster Scott Twine, fellow young forward Troy Parrott, who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, or Charlie Brown could lead the way at the top end of the pitch.

Further back Blackpool loanee Ethan Robson, former Chelsea man Josh McEachran and veteran of the squad, Dean Lewington, provide good quality. There's another ex-Robin in the shape of defender Aden Baldwin who played four games for Cheltenham in 2018 when on loan from Bristol City - his last appearance coming against the Dons.

The manager: Liam Manning

Appointed as MK Dons boss just a few weeks ago, it's Liam Manning's first Football League position having had a career mainly focused on coaching after playing youth football in Norfolk and Suffolk.

He worked as a youth coach at Ipswich Town, where he had been on the books at Portman Road, and then at West Ham United before being appointed as academy director of Major League Soccer side New York City.

In August 2020 he was appointed boss of Belgian second tier side Lommel S.K. before moving back to England to become Saturday's opposition's manager in mid-August.

Match programme

Copies of Saturday's match programme are available to purchase around the stadium at a price of £3. They can also be bought online.

Goalkeeper Scott Flinders is the big interview. There is also the return of insight from inside the boardroom for the first time in a number of seasons with chairman David Bloxham penning his notes.

You can also read features with Michael Duff, Taylor Perry as well as lots of history look backs.

Tickets

Save £2 on matchday prices by buying in advance online ahead of midnight on Friday.

Pre-paid tickets for the Autovillage Stand, Paddock, Tunnel and Speedy Skips Stand can be collected from the new matchday collection point at the Portakabin in the car park next to the bowling club.

Tickets for the Colin Farmer Stand can be collected from a new collection point located just outside the Parklands turnstiles.

Away supporters can collect tickets from the entrance to the Hazlewoods Stand where they'll be located during the game.

If you are buying tickets on the day then we recommend arriving early to avoid queues. Visit the ticket office to purchase seats for the Autovillage Stand or for away fans, while standing tickets can be bought from the Portakabin. Colin Farmer Stand tickets can be bought from the new ticket point outside the Parklands turnstiles for this stand.

Either cash or credit/debit card will be accepted. There will no longer be any payment accepted at the turnstiles. The ticket office is open all day in the lead up to kick-off.

The club are working on introducing a fan zone for home games. Unfortunately this won't be in place for Saturday's match but the club are aiming to make an announcement ahead of a future home fixture.

Match sponsors

We are pleased to be welcoming AMS Auctions as our match sponsors for the game.

AMS are based locally in Cheltenham and are close partners with the club.

As well as their wealth in experience in UK and overseas auction markets, AMS have helped with a number of charity auctions at the club, from the Hollie Gazzard Trust to the NHS fundraiser at the start of the covid-19 pandemic.

Coverage

Social media: Follow @CTFCofficial on Twitter for team news and updates, CTFC on Facebook for score updates and @CTFCofficial on Instagram.

Website: Read the match report post-match and see reaction to the result from inside the camp.

Radio: Tune in to live commentary on BBC Radio Gloucestershire and on iFollow.

Highlights: Watch extended highlights on iFollow, on YouTube, Quest and on Sky Sports.

Match Reports

Report & highlights: Robins 1-1 MK Dons

4 September 2021

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Cheltenham Town v MK Dons - Extended highlights - Sat 4th September 2021

Extended highlights of Cheltenham Town v MK Dons, Sat 4th September 2021 in the Sky Bet League One

Cheltenham Town took a point in a 1-1 draw with Milton Keynes Dons, as substitute Hiram Boateng scored a late equaliser to cancel out a first half debut goal for new Robins loanee Kyle Joseph.

The new signing from Swansea fizzed the ball past Andrew Fisher, to put the home side in front and it looked set to be a dream debut for the 19-year-old.

The Robins nearly saw the game out after defending very well for the majority of the ninety minutes, with the away side dominating the possession throughout the match.

However, after struggling to test Scott Flinders all game, a loose ball found Boateng and the attacking midfielder smashed it past the Robins keeper.

“Absolutely delighted with the attitude and the application,” said Robins manager Michael Duff following the draw.

“Football owes you nothing. It’s really hard to win a game of football, and they’ll feel disappointed but it’s a point against a very good team."

A long throw in by Sean Long gave Will Boyle a chance to head towards goal in the opening five minutes, but the first effort of the game was wide from the captain.

Following a Robins corner, Liam Sercombe received the ball down the right channel and fizzed it into the box, however Alfie May narrowly missed the ball.

Inside ten minutes, Joseph set Matty Blair through towards goal but the full back’s shot was high and wide of The Dons goal.

Then arrived the debut goal for Joseph, who brought the ball down, turned past Dons midfielder Josh McEachran and fired it into the bottom left-hand corner of the opposition goal, to score his first for the club.

The away side were inches away from equalising, after Daniel Harvie broke past the Robins backline and passed the ball to his on-rushing teammate Scott Twine, but the forward failed to reach the pass.

Chris Hussey was denied by away keeper Fisher from doubling the Robins lead, after the defender’s curling thirty-yard free kick was tipped past the post by an excellent diving save.

The Dons pushed on for an equaliser, with Harvie causing more problems at the back for the Robins, but Lewis Freestone blocked his goal bound shot, preventing it from troubling Flinders.

The best chance to level fell to Dons number nine Twine, after a cross from full back Kioso seemed to set up a certain goal, but the forward struck the ball wide and into the Speedy Skips Stand.

Moments before the end of the first half, Boyle had a replica chance as he did in the opening minutes, however it was tame, and the keeper easily caught the ball.

After replacing McEachran, Boateng nearly made an instant impact with his first touch, but his volley inside the Robins box was saved by Flinders at the expense of a corner.

Joseph continued to be a problem for the Dons backline as he turned past Harry Darling who was shown a yellow for the foul, and the free kick led to a shot goal bound by Ellis Chapman, however new Dons loanee Pete Kioso cleared it off the line.

The second half saw the Robins defend very valiantly, and it seemed they’d secured all three points after a tricky afternoon at The Jonny Rocks Stadium.

But after a constant barrage of away side attacks, eventually one succeeded with substitute Boateng striking the loose ball into the roof of the Cheltenham net to score the much-needed goal for The Dons late on.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (3-5-2): Flinders, Long, Hussey, Boyle (c), Blair, Sercombe, Wright, Chapman (Thomas 69), Freestone; Joseph (Williams 77), May (Perry 56). Subs not used: Evans, Pollock, Bonds, Horton.

MILTON KEYNES DONS (3-5-1-1): Fisher, Lewington (c), O’Hora, Darling, O’Riley, Twine, Brown (Martin 57), McEachran (Boateng 57), Robson, Harvie, Kioso (Watson 81). Subs not used: Ravizzoli (Gk), Jules, Baldwin, Bird.

Referee: Sam Allison

Attendance: 3,704 (559 away)

Ticket News

Buy tickets for MK Dons clash

1 September 2021

The first month of the season is over, as is the summer transfer window, so it's full focus ahead on Cheltenham Town's League One campaign.

The latest game in that adventure is on Saturday when Milton Keynes Dons are the visitors to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium for a 3pm kick-off.

It promises to be a tasty encounter. The last time the two clubs met at this level it ended up being an eight goal thriller which went the way of the Buckinghamshire side on a day when Damian Spencer scored a second half hat-trick, with Aaron Wilbraham also bagging a treble for the Dons.

Tickets for Saturday's game are available to buy online and in person from the ticket office.

We strongly recommend buying in advance as you can save £2 on matchday prices by doing so.

This season the club has gone cashless on the turnstiles, so supporters will need to collect their tickets before heading into the stadium.

If you wish to buy on the day you can do so using cash or card from the ticket office.

There are hospitality options available for Saturday's game if you want to enjoy the game with a pre-match meal.