MK Dons 0-2 West Ham

Wednesday, 28 July 2010 23:16

Pre-season friendlies are never a true reflection of how a side will perform in the hurly burly of league football, however the Dons came out of today's match with their heads held high.

The Hammers took the field with infamous England keeper Rob Green in goal and were captained by another current England international, Matthew Upson.  Germany under 21 international Anis Ben-Hatira started up front together with Argentine forward Milton Caraglio.  Scott Parker started in midfield whilst Welsh international Danny Gabbidon also played.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Dons played Willy Gueret for the entire match ahead of David Martin and Stuart Searle.  Luke Chadwick started against his former club and Stephen Gleeson again took the right back position ahead of Danny Woodards, who started on the bench.  Didi Hamann was another former Premier League player to start for MK, whilst Columbian sensation Balanta took his place on the wing.

Facing a West Ham side containing numerous international players and several England players the Dons dominated for periods of the match and were never completely over-run.  Among the pick of the players were Dean Lewington, Angelo Balanta, Stephen Gleeson and Jermaine Easter.

Lewie had one of his best matches in a Dons shirt for over a year, closing the Hammers down regularly and turning defence into attack.  On the other side of the pitch Stephen Gleeson impressed again in his new role at right back.  He covered a massive amount of ground and was solid in everything he did. 

Balanta always looked threatening with his mazey runs and quick feet.  And finally Jermaine Easter looked fit and hungry for the ball and was only denied a goal in the first half thanks to a fine Green save.  In the second half, the Dons made a raft of changes with Adam Chicksen in particular impressing with his pace and skills on the ball. 

West Ham deserved the victory, however the Milton Keynes Dons can be proud of the performance they put in.  At this stage things are looking promising for the new season.

The attendance was very impressive for a midweek pre-season friendly with 12,230 at Stadium MK, particularly so when compared to the 3000 or so who turned up when Peterborough played the Hammers earlier in the month.

 

West Ham United: Green (Wessels 46), Tomkins, Gabbidon (Spector 46), Upson (Da Costa 46), Daprela (Ilunga 64), Kovac (Hitzlsperger 64), Parker (Noble 64), Diamanti (Faubert 64), Ben-Hatira (McCarthy 64), Stanislas (Boa Morte 64), Caraglio (Cole 64)
Subs: Sears

MK Dons: Gueret, Gleeson (Flanagan 81), Lewington, O'Hanlon (Chicksen 61), Doumbe (Woodards 46), Chadwick (Guy 67), Hamann (Wilbraham 46), Leven (Howell 83), Balanta, Baldock (Ibehre 72), Easter (Carrington 78)
Subs: Collins

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