Match Preview | MK Dons (A)

23 March 2023

The Shirmps are back on the road this weekend as they travel to Stadium MK on Saturday 25 March to take on Milton Keynes Dons in Sky Bet League One.

Last time out, Morecambe earned themselves a point in a 1-1 draw against Oxford United at the Mazuma Stadium. Marcus Browne opened the scoring for the visitors before Ash Hunter’s late strike levelled the scoring three minutes from time.

In MK’s last game, they beat Accrington Stanley 1-0 away from home.

The Opposition

MK Dons sit 20th in League One with ten wins, six draws and 21 defeats from 37 league games.

Despite their short history, MK have achieved a lot in the EFL. In 2008, the Buckinghamshire side won the Papa Johns Trophy when they beat Grimsby Town 2-0 in the final at Wembley. MK won League Two in the same season and were League One runners-up in 2015.

Head Coach Mark Jackson played as a defender for Leeds United, Kidderminster Harriers and Rochdale during his playing career. The 45-year-old began his coaching career in 2015 within the Leeds academy. MK Dons is Jackson’s first full-time role in the EFL.

Key Players

Forward Mo Eisa is MK’s top scorer with eight goals so far this season; he has also contributed with three assists to-date. Eisa brings plenty of EFL experience to Stadium MK with 23 goals in 45 appearances for Cheltenham Town in 2017/18 and 16 goals in 56 appearances for Peterborough United between 2019 and 2021. Since joining MK in 2021, the 28-year-old has 18 goals in 58 games.

Striker Will Grigg is in his third spell at Stadium MK. The Northern Irish international scored 20 goals in 44 appearances during his first spell in 2014-15, eight goals in 20 appearances in 2021 and, since joining permenantly in 2022, he’s scored five goals in 13 games. The 31-year-old also represented Northern Ireland 13 times between 2012 and 2018.

Midfielder Dawson Devoy has been a creative spark in the middle of the park for MK this season with one goal and seven assists so far. The 21-year-old spent the start of his career in Ireland with Bohemians before joining MK in 2022. The Irishman has also represented his country seven times at U21 level.

Mark Jackson’s Thoughts

MK head coach March Jackson told the MK Dons YouTube channel his side will need to be ready for Shrimps threat on Saturday.

“We’ve got to go out with a mindset to win the game,” he said.

“They’ll be exactly the same so its about who can deal with the situation and the magnitude of the game because it is a big game.”

He added: “We have to be mindful and respectful of the threat Morecambe will pose and we need to be ready for that and nullify that.”

Team News

Max Melbourne and Jake Taylor remain unavailable due to injury. Aside from that, Derek Adams has a fit squad to choose from.

Meet The Officials

Thomas Parsons will be the man in the middle on Saturday and will be assisted by Abbas Khan, Declan O’Shea and fourth official Aji Ajibola.

Parsons has refereed 21 games this season; 11 in League Two, five in League One, three in the Papa Johns Trophy and one in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup respectively.

The official is in his first season in the EFL and is yet to referee a Shrimps game.

Watch Live!

Don't miss a kick of the action - purchase an iFollow Shrimps video match pass for just £10 and watch the full game from home.

Click here for more information!

Match Reports

Report | MK Dons 1 Morecambe 0

26 March 2023

The Shrimps fell to a narrow defeat against MK Dons in Sky Bet League One.

A Jonathan Leko strike 12 minutes after half time proved the difference between the two sides, to leave the Shrimps in 22^nd place in the table, three points from safety, with seven games to play.

It was the hosts with the first chance in the opening minutes. Jonathan Leko wriggled away from his man before sending a low drive into the arms of Connor Ripley from the edge of the box.

Leko sent another effort over the angle, before Mo Eisa saw an effort saved to his right by Connor Ripley.

Morecambe had their first attempt through Ash Hunter, who shot wide from range, before the Shrimps had two efforts in quick succession blocked inside the box.

As the half wore on Eisa stung the palms of Ripley once again, before a Paris Maghoma effort was blocked by a Morecambe defender.

Defender Pape Souare, on his full debut for the club, found space at the far post from a Donald Love cross, but blazed a volley over the bar.

Morecambe were unlucky when they had another effort in first half stoppage time. The Shrimps broke forward quickly to the edge of the MK area, with the ball falling to Dan Crowley. The midfielder’s low drive was deflected off a defender, but spun just wide of the post with keeper Cumming rooted to the spot.

Half-time: MK Dons 0 Morecambe 0

Both sides started the second half brightly, with the Shrimps having the better of the opening exchanges, and a Weir free kick from the left just failing to be converted at the far post, before the hosts took the lead in the 57^th minute.

Josh McEachran created the chance with a pass through to Daniel Harvie, who ran into the left side of the box, before pulling the ball back for Leko to finish smartly at the back post.

Morecambe threatened an immediate equaliser from a corner but Souare’s drive from 20 yards hit the outside of Cumming’s post, before Ash Hunter tested Cumming with a low drive from 20 yards.

At the other end, Leko was denied by a terrific save from Ripley, with Eisa unable to convert the rebound.

Morecambe made a triple change, bringing on Cole Stockton, Adam Mayor and Josh Austerfield, to try and find the equaliser, and Stockton nearly provided an assist to get back on terms in the last ten minutes, but his dangerous ball across the six yard box was well intercepted.

Will Grigg had an opportunity for MK two minutes from time, but the striker was denied from a tight angle by Ripley.

Full-time: MK Dons 1 Morecambe 0

MK Dons: Cumming, Watson, Lewington, Tucker, McEachran (Johnson 80'), Eisa (Grigg 73'), Leko (Holland 73'), Grant (Devoy 82'), Harvie, Lawrence, Maghoma.

Subs not used: Ravizzoli, Smith, Robson.

Goals: Leko (57').

Bookings: Maghoma.

Red cards: None.

Morecambe: Ripley, Love, Gibson, Crowley, Hunter (Watts 73'), Weir, Bedeau (Rawson 87'), Niasse (Stockton 60'), Shaw (Austerfield 61'), Souare (Mayor 61'), Simeu.

Subs not used: Smith, Delaney.

Goals: None.

Bookings: Simeu, Bedeau, Watts.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 6,758 (206 away).

Ticket News

Ticket Details | MK Dons (A)

12 March 2023

Tickets are now on sale for our Sky Bet League One away fixture against MK Dons on Saturday 25 March.

Ticket Prices

	In Advance	On the Day
Adult	£24	£26
Senior 65+	£18	£20
Under 25	£12	£14
Under 18	£6	£8
Under 12*	£3	£6

*All children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult (over 18).

Disabled/Ambulant Supporters

Wheelchair users and ambulant supporters will be expected to pay the relevant admission price and will receive a complimentary carer with their purchase. These tickets are not available online, they must be purchased instore.

On Sale Dates (selling order)

Online from:	In person at the Club from:	On sale to:
Friday 10 March, 14:00.	Friday 10 March, 14:00.	General Sale.

Additional Information

Advance Sales deadline: Friday 24 March, 12-noon.
Refund deadline: Friday 24 March, 12-noon.
Postage deadline: Tuesday 21 March, 17:00.

Match Day Sales

We encourage all supporters to purchase in advance to avoid queues on the day. Tickets will be available to purchase on the day. Stadium MK is a cashless stadium, so only card will be accepted. All ticket prices increase by £2 on the day.

Duplicate Ticket Requests

Anyone who doesn’t receive their tickets in time for the fixture through the post, must contact tickets@morecambefc.com or call the Club Shop on 01524 411797 (ext 3) in advance of Friday 24 March at 15:00.

Match Day Parking (Minibuses & Coaches)

Coaches will be required to pay £25 in advance (£30 on the day) and minibuses will be £15 in advance (£20 on the day). Book via www.parkthecarhere.com.

Match Day Parking (Cars)

All parking can be purchased online for £7 in advance at www.parkthecarhere.com. Subject to availability, any remaining spaces will be available for £10 on the day.

Disabled Parking

For any travelling supporters needing to book disabled parking, please contact MK Dons directly on 01908 622933.

Additional Information

Stadium MK is a cashless stadium, and therefore do not have facilities available to accept cash payments.

For up-to-date information, or to ask any questions, contact Anya Wood, Shrimps’ SLO.

Twitter: @Shrimps_SLO.
Email: SLO@morecambefc.com.

FAQs