Milton Keynes Dons 6
Nantwich Town 0
FA Cup (1st Round)

Match Report

SATURDAY 12th NOVEMBER 2011
FA Cup with Budweiser – First Round Proper
MK Dons 6 – 0 Nantwich Town
Superior class proved the difference as Nantwich’s historic FA Cup run came to an end at the hands of Milton Keynes Dons.
Two goals for Dean Bowditch as well as goals from Mathias Kouo-Doumbe, Daniel Powell, Jay O’Shea and youngster George Williams, who became the club’s youngest goal scorer, proved too much for the hard working Dabbers.
Nantwich made two changes for the game against the League One giants with Niall Maguire replacing the suspended Chris Flynn and Ryan Brunt made his first start for the club replacing Michael Lennon.
The Dons exerted their force on the game immediately and Bowditch could have opened the scoring in the first ten minutes but his sharp turn and volley was acrobatically saved by Jon Brain in the Dabbers goal – the first of many world class saves for the ex-Walsall stopper.
Nantwich continued to keep out their opposition in the early stages and perhaps could have had the lead themselves when Mat Bailey headed over Sean Cooke’s corner despite being unchallenged.
The rout started minutes later, as Brain once again tipped wide from Bowditch but the resulting corner was headed home by Kouo-Doumbe.
The Dabbers never really recovered from that goal and the Dons doubled their advantage just two minutes later as Angelo Balanta slid a pass through to Bowditch who poked through Brain’s legs.
Nantwich continued to work hard despite the uphill task, Aleksandrs Solovjovs could well have pulled one back after he stormed down the left hand side but his shot straight at David Martin in the Dons goal.
The game was put beyond all doubt just before the hour mark, Matt Lowe was adjudged to have brought down Charlie MacDonald on the edge of the area and Bowditch smashed to free kick into Brain’s left hand corner.
Bowditch was again involved for the fourth, his defence splitting pass was latched onto by Powell who curled past Brain to make it 4-0.
The fifth goal was a show of real class from the Dons, good interplay from Luke Chadwick and MacDonald was followed by an elegant finish from substitute Jay O’Shea.
The Dons sixth was probably the goal the day could be remembered for, 16-year-old George Williams became the youngest scorer for the club when he rounded Brain and smashed home, much to the delight of the Dons fans.
A disappointing result for the Dabbers but a great day for the 756 travelling supporters who will remember this famous cup run forever.
MK DONS: David Martin, Adam Chicksen, Mathias Doumbe, Tom Flanagan, George Baldock, Daniel Powell (James O’Shea 67), Luke Chadwick (Brendon Galloway, 79), Shaun Williams, Angelo Balanta, Charlie MacDonald (George Williams 77), Dean Bowditch. Unused subs: Jabo Ibehre, Anthony McNamee, Leon Lobjoit, Bamidele Alli.
NANTWICH TOWN: Jonny Brain, Matt Lowe, Aleksandrs Solovjovs, Niall Maguire (Rodney Jack, 73), Mat Bailey (capt), Darren Moss, Sean Cooke, Brian Summerskill, Ben Mills, Ryan Brunt (Michael Lennon, 57), Fraser McLachlan (Cameron Mitchell, 61). Unused subs: Zack Foster, Liam Prince, Si Everall, Ben Chapman.
Attendance: 4110 Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire)
PHOTO: Mat Bailey tussles with Mathias Komo-Doumbe

Match report written by Ashley Houghton