Match Preview | MK Dons (A)

8 November 2022

Morecambe are back in cup action on Tuesday night, as they travel to Stadium MK to face Milton Keynes Dons in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Derek Adams side have overcome two Sky Bet Championship teams so far in the Carabao Cup to reach the third round. They beat Stoke City on penalties after a goalless draw at the Mazuma Stadium in the first round of the competition and beat Rotherham United by a goal to nil away from home in the second round. A victory on Tuesday would take Morecambe into the last 16 of the competition - the furthest they would have ever progressed.

MK come into the game following a 6-0 win over National League South side Taunton Town in the FA Cup on Saturday. The Buckinghamshire outfit beat League Two Sutton United 1-0 in the first round of the Carabao Cup and won 2-0 away at Watford in the second round to set up Tuesday’s tie against the Shrimps.

The Opposition
Milton Keynes Dons are currently sat 21st in League One with four wins, two draws and ten defeats after 16 league games.

MK have had some moments to remember in the Carabao Cup in their short history. Manchester United visited Stadium MK in the second round of the competition in 2014 and were beaten 4-0 by the hosts. The Dons also won the EFL Trophy in 2008 when they beat Grimsby Town 2-0 in front of 56,000 at Wembley.

Head Coach Liam Manning is in his second job of his managerial career. After a playing career in non-league, Manning took charge of Belgian side Lommel SK and guided them to a third place finish in 2021. The 37-year-old then joined MK Dons in 2021 and his side finished in the League One play-off places after missing out on automatic promotion by a point last season.

Key Players
Striker Will Grigg is MK’s top scorer this season with six goals in 16 appearances. Grigg is currently in his third spell at Stadium MK after spending time with the club during the 2014-15 season and the second half of the 2020-21 season. The Northern Irishman also scored 53 goals in 133 appearances for Wigan between 2015 and 2019. The 31-year-old has also featured 13 times for his country at senior level.

Midfielder Conor Grant has also been productive in front of goal for MK this season. Grant has four goals and two assists in 13 games this season and produced an excellent performance off the bench against Taunton at the weekend as he scored twice and got an assist. The Irishman is currently in his second season playing in the EFL after spending last season with Rochdale.

Midfielder Bradley Johnson is one of the most experienced members of Liam Manning’s squad. Johnson spent three years at Northampton at the start of his career before making over 100 appearances for Leeds, Norwich and Derby. Johnson has made over 600 career appearances and joined MK upon the expiry of his contract at Blackburn last season.

Darren Smith’s Pre-Match Thoughts
MK Dons coach Darren Smith, part of Liam Manning’s backroom staff, told the MK YouTube channel says his side will need to be at their best against the Shrimps.

“We’ve got a real tough game against Morecambe. Knowing Derek and coaching against his sides, they won’t be any pushover. They certainly won’t come here and rollover. They’ll come here and have a real hard go and we’ve got to be at our best to get a win.”

Team News
Derek Adams should have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Tuesday night.

The Shrimps will be without Max Melbourne and Jake Taylor, both of whom are getting closer to full fitness. Ash Hunter and Courtney Duffus are still out long-term.

Admission

Pre-booked away tickets for tonight can be collected from the away ticket booth, located near gate three from 5:15pm. Away supporters can also purchase tickets there. Please note, Stadium MK accept card payments only.

Listen Live

Due to EFL broadcast regulations, Tuesday's match won't be available to watch on iFollow. However, match passes to listen to all of the action live will be available to purchase via iFollow Shrimps.

Lead commentator Dave Salmon will be joined by Matt Smith from the Morecambe media team, guiding you through all of thw action.

For full details on iFollow Shrimps and to urchase your audio pass, click here.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report | MK Dons 2 Morecambe 0

8 November 2022

Morecambe were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, in a 2-0 defeat MK Dons.

Goals from Warren O'Hora and Matthew Dennis proved the difference for Morecambe, who lost out at the third round stage.

The hosts had the best early chance on goal, as Tennai Watson found his way from full-back into the box and shot at goal, but Connor Ripley made a top quality save to his right to tip it behind.

From the eventual corner, MK Dons thought they'd scored the opener, as the ball was cleared away and fed back into the box. A goal mouth scramble followed, with the ball coming off the post and eventually cleared from danger from a Morecambe body.

Morecambe were struggling to break MK Dons down in the early stages, though Liam Gibson did find himself in a good position for a cross on ten minutes, but the supply was not met by a Morecambe body and was cleared away.

MK Dons had a lot of the ball in the opening stages, and took the lead with just under 20 minutes gone. A corner was cleared away to the edge of the area, with Warren O'Hora hitting it on the volley and firing it past Connor Ripley into the far corner.

With the Shrimps a goal down on half an hour, Derek Adams decided to make two changes, with Dylan Connolly and Adam Mayor brought on in place of Ryan Delaney and Anthony O'Connor.

Mayor almost made an instant impact, making a driving run into the box, but his strike was held.

In what was a quiet opening 45 minutes, the Shrimps went into the break a goal down.

Half-time: MK Dons 1 Morecambe 0

The Shrimps made a third change at half-time, with Cole Stockton brought on in place of Caleb Watts.

With two up top now for Morecambe in the shape of Stockton and Kieran Phillips, it was clear to see the Shrimps were looking to force a way back into the game, but the hosts made it 2-0 five minutes after the break.

A ball forward found Matthew Dennis, who rounded Farrend Rawson and managed to squeeze a shot under Connor Ripley and into the net to double the hosts' lead.

Morecambe were huffing and puffing, but they just couldn't break MK Dons down. They did get in on goal with ten minutes of the second half remaining, as Dylan Connolly was through, but he was flagged for offside.

In truth, it was an evening to forget for the Shrimps who bowed out of the Carabao Cup at the third round stage.

Full-time: MK Dons 2 Morecambe 0

MK Dons: Cumming, Watson (Oyegoke, 45'), Tucker, O'Hora, Robson, Eisa (Dennis, 45'), Johnson (Devoy, 67'), Grant (Smith, 67'), Burns, Lawrence, Jules.

Subs not used: Ravizzoli, Holland, Kemp, Barry, Harvie.

Goals: O'Hora (18') Dennis (51')

Bookings:

Red cards:

Morecambe: Ripley, Gibson, Rawson, Delaney (Connolly 31'), Weir, Bedeau, Watts (Stockton, 45'), Shaw, Cooney, O'Connor (Mayor 31'), Phillips (Fane, 61').

Subs not used: Smith, Gnahoua, Obika.

Goals:

Bookings: Watts

Red cards:

Match Reports

Ticket News

MK Dons (A) ticket details

26 October 2022

Tickets are now on sale for our Carabao Cup Round Three fixture against MK Dons at Stadium MK on Tuesday 8 November 2022, 19:45 KO.

Prices and on-sale dates for the fixture can be found below:

Ticket Prices

	In Advance
Adult	£12
Concession (65+)/Student	£9
Under 25	£6
Under 18	£3
Under 12*	£1.50

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

Disabled/Ambulant Supporters

We have a limited number of wheelchair spaces available, please contact the club shop directly to purchase these spaces along with carer tickets. All disabled and ambulant supporters will pay the price stated above and will be entitled to one complimentary carer ticket. To purchase a disabled or ambulant ticket with a complimentary carer, please contact the Morecambe FC Club Shop direct.

On Sale Dates (selling order)

Online from	Over the phone and in-store from	On sale to
Tuesday 25 October, 13:00	Tuesday 25 October, 13:00	General Sale

Additional Information

Sales deadline: Monday 7 November, 15:00.
Refund deadline: Monday 7 November, 15:00.

[Supporters should note that they must return the ticket for the fixture to receive a refund].

Match Day Sales

Tickets will be available to purchase on the day for form MK Dons. We encourage all Morecambe FC supporters to purchase in advance to avoid match day queues.

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 Monday 7 November at 15:00.

We must provide MK Dons with a final duplicate requests list the day before the fixture to ensure any duplicate requests are available to collect on the day.

Match Day Parking (Minibuses & Coaches)

Coach and minibus parking is available. Coach parking is £25 in advance (£30 on the day), minibuses are £15 in advance (£20 on the day). Payable 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 parking on the day will be £10.

Accessible Parking

MK Dons have limited disabled parking available for blue badge holders only. To enquire and book, travelling supporters must contact MK Dons direct on 01908 622933.

Additional Information

Stadium MK Dons is now a cashless stadium and therefore they do not have the facilities to accept cash payments.

FAQs