FA Cup: MK Dons (Third Round)

Karl Robinson's MK Dons side visit Hillsborough having earned a 2nd round victory over rivals AFC Wimbledon (2-1), hoping to be in the next round at the expense of a struggling Championship side and with the possibility of testing themselves against a Premiership team (and the payday that brings). The Dons came to Sheffield in indifferent League One form but in their last outing defeated Notts County whilst their hosts hope to bounce back from defeat against Burnley.

Heading towards the West Stand, Wednesday kick off and it's not long before Michail Antonio whips a cross into the box and former Owl Darren Potter clears the ball. In a spell of early pressure, Wednesday are denied a penalty when a Lewis Buxton long ball is neatly chested on by Mamady Sidibe and Chris Maguire is felled in the box. Maguire is awarded a free kick on the 5th minute when Shaun Williams fouls the forward but the Owls are unable to take advantage of Rhys McCabes free kick. Fighting back and the Dons almost make the most of a good one-two between Dean Lewington & Alan Smith but good work by Martin Taylor cutting the ball out stops the move. Wednesday come close in the next attack when Mamady Sidibe twists and heads just over from a well delivered free-kick. The early momentum is with the home side but in the 17th minute it's the away side that have a good opportunity as Stephen Bywater rushed out to deny another former Owl, Ryan Lowe. Some neat football by Maguire earns a round of applause from the Wednesday fans when he manages to keep the ball in, break down the left but his cross is too strong for the onrushing Kieran Lee. After a scrappy few minutes where play has evened out, it's Lee that tests the away keeper with a shot - but David Martin is equal to it after Antonio had earned possession and bustled forward before passing to Sidibe who in turn fed Lee. Heeding the warning, MK Dons create a good move with Zeli Ismail in the driving seat but his cross is too strong for Lowe who vents his frustration towards the Wolves loanee. After Bywayer slices a clearance in the box in a nervous fashion, Wednesday manage to get the ball under control and when Antonio launches a long throw into the box, Miguel Llera flicks goal ward but the keeper claims easily. Looking to close the half on top, the Owls force a comer when Martin expertly tips Antonio's shot over the bar for a corner. The corner is blocked and Pruttons return ball in is blocked for another corner by Williams but the attack is quickly halted when Buxton fouls Lewington at the back post. As the half time whistle looms, the Dons have a great chance to score when Maguire fouls Potter in a dangerous position. The low, driven free-kick by Williams is blocked by Taylor for a corner but Robinson's team can't force home the ball as McCabe clears the lines. The last action of the half sees an energetic chase by Antonio - almost catching the goalkeeper out only for Martin to release the danger, just! Home boo's greet the whistle in what has been a poor first half.


HT. Real chances have been rare in the opening 45mins, with MK Dons having the better play - but as with Wednesday, no real attacking threat. The visiting midfield is dominating at the moment and Dave Jones needs to make some tactical changes or risk being played out of the game. I'm struggling to see how Sidibe is keeping Madine - or even Rodri (remember him?!) out of the side in a cup game. A roast chicken crisp sandwich is the half time snack washed down with a can of Dr Pepper.

The second half is underway and Ismail is quick to whip a cross in - too quick for his supporting players. When Potter concedes a free kick for handball, McCabe sees his cross claimed by Martin in goal. Sidibe steals the ball in midfield but his through ball for the sprinting Antonio is too powerful and is cut out in what proves to be his last action of the game as the 54th minute sees Gary Madine replace the Stoke loanee. The change gets the Wednesday fans back into voice and the backing for the team kicks back up again. Taylor fouls Lowe to give Dons' Ryan Harley a chance from the free kick but nothing materialises to the frustration of the away fans who sense a cup 'upset' on the cards. Their frustrations are notched up a level at the site of the linesman's flag halting a good run behind by ex-Leeds Utd forward Alan Smith. The momentum is with the L1 side now and a dangerous looking Lewington cross is claimed by Bywater with Lowe in close proximity. Wednesday look to avoid being another FA Cup shock and force 2 quick succession corners, both delivered by McCabe but defended by Mathias Doumbe and then then Smith. With the scrappy game in stalemate both managers make a change, first Dele Ali replaces Zemi Ismail and then Jermaine Johnson replaces Chris Maguire. When Antonio fires a shot just over the crossbar, Robinson makes another change, bringing the defender Gary MacKenzie on for midfielder Alan Smith. MK Dons' midfield is still out bossing the Owls midfield and when space opens up, Ryan Harley shoots at goal and David Prutton blocks for a corner and then also sees away Potters corner. Harley, the Brighton loanee, then concedes a free kick for a foul on Antonio but Adam Chicksen sees away Lleras free kick and then Antony Kay clears McCabes corner in a disappointing and frustrating time for the Owls. The game becomes end-to-end and Wednesday see a free-kick almost result in a goal but for Llera and Buxton just missing the ball in. Then MK Dons put together a sweeping attack which results in a shot being fires over the bar from deep inside the box then Harley fizzes a shot forcing Bywater into a diving save. The keeper is then forced into another good save to deny Williams and Mattock clears the resulting corner. As time ticks away, in the 83rd minute Bywater throws long to Antonio who skips past his man before seeing his 20-yard shot charged down by Kay. The closest any team comes to scoring so far is when a shot by Williams beats the keeper but hits the post just a minute later. The 86th minute sees Prutton enter the book and yellow carded and also a substitution for each team. Jose Semedo replaces McCabe for Wednesday and Georgio Rasulo replaces Lowe who receives applause from both sets of fans. The referee brings this disappointing (for both teams) FA Cup tie to an end and a replay is set for Tuesday 15th January.

                                             

FT. Uninspiring, flat, lacklustre, out played and lacklustre - all can be used to describe this Wednesday performance. MK Dons will feel aggrieved not to have capitalised on this poor home display but will be inspired for the replay at Stadium:MK.

Attendance: 11,462
Owls Man of the Match: Mattock