MK Dons 1-2 Reading

In Roberto Di Matteo’s first game in charge of the MK Dons at stadium:mk his side narrowly lost out in a 2-1 defeat to former Premier League boys Reading.

Steve Coppell’s side travelled down to Milton Keynes in pretty good strength. First-team regulars Liam Rosenior, Nicky Shorey, Michael Duberry, Ivar Ingimarsson, Leroy Lita, Shane Long, Bobby Convey & James Harper all started.

The Dons’ team included two new faces, those of trialists Florian Sturm and Dean Morgan, who started on the bench. However, both Keith Andrews, transfer-listed today, and goalkeeper Willy Gueret were absent.

Both sides benefited from Di Matteo’s decision to increase the width of the stadium:mk pitch, from 68m to 70m, with a bright start from both teams.

However, it was the visitors who took an early lead. Winger Jimmy Kebe lashed in a cross from Rosenior after 14 minutes. Dean Lewington was probably guily for letting Rosenior go too easily, while Jude Stirling’s positioning could also be questioned.

It wasn’t long, however, before the Dons had replied to level the scores. Nineteen-year-old striker Sam Baldock, who had an impressive game, beat England international Shorey before smashing a left-foot shot into the back of the net.

The game then exploded into life when Leroy Lita, so often the goalscoring hero for the Royals against the Dons, appeared to make off-the-ball contact with Sean O’Hanlon. The referee, Mr Phil Gibbs, decided a yellow card would suffice, however Coppell swifty withdrew the striker hot-head before further trouble.

The second period saw the introduction of Morgan, as well as the return to action of injury-ravaged broken-leg victime Paul Mitchell. However, the affair turned a little dull in the second half, with chances much fewer and far between.

Dobson shot straight at Federici when postioned well, and the home side were left to rue their missed chances when Stephen Hunt, a second-half substitute, turned home a Kebe cross.

There was some bad news for the Berkshire boys however, with Lita’s replacement, Kevin Doyle, picking up a late hamstring strain, which will be cause for concern for Coppell and his backroom team.

The hosts were impressive in their first outing of the pre-season, however there would be a worry over squad numbers, with a host of academy prospects being relied upon to deliver here already. The management must bolster the squad if they are to survive an ardous campaign ahead in League One.