MK Dons make it 2 wins in a row after thumping Bromley

MK Dons made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season as they registered a 4-1 win over Bromley at Stadium MK.

Two goals by Aaron Collins plus further strikes by Alex Gilbey and Charlie Goode won the contest for Paul Warne’s side against the side that pipped the Dons to last season’s League Two title.

Mitch Pinnock had scored an equaliser for Bromley late in the first half, but the sweeping second half by the Dons saw them take the points, with Warne’s side rising to 14th in the table after collecting a third win in four outings.

Having scored late on to beat Stevenage last time out, the Dons were hoping to make it back-to-back successes for the first time this season as they welcomed a managerless Bromley to Stadium MK.

There would be an unusual delay to proceedings in the contest as a sprinkler head that failed to retract had to be dealt with by the ground staff before proceedings could begin.

After a tight opening to the contest, MK Dons would have a great chance as Ibrahim Fullah’s through-pass sent Sam Nombe clear on goal, only for Nombe to fire his shot straight at Ravens keeper Grant Smith.

Smith would then be required again, as Bromley’s keeper made a fine save to deny a strike from Dons captain Gilbey that span goalward following a big deflection.

In the closing stages of the first half, Nombe would see a cross deflected towards goal and have to be tipped behind by Smith. That would yield the Dons’ 40th minute opener, as Smith couldn’t fully deal with the corner, and Gilbey chipped the ball back into the box for Collins to control and then dink the ball past the keeper.

Bromley had their best chance of the half shortly after that, as a passing move saw the ball land for Will Hondermarck, who fired straight at Will Dennis in the Dons goal.

But there was still time in the first half for a Bromley equaliser. MK Dons conceded a free-kick on the edge of their own box and an indirect free-kick was touched for Pinnock to fire in via a deflection to equalise.

Stung by that, the Dons initially had a slow start to the second half but as the half carried on, they would begin to trouble Bromley more, as Sam Silvera hit the post following a flying run into the box before Nombe had an effort poked off target by Omar Sowunmi.

Just after the hour mark, MK Dons would get themselves back in front. Collins was able to win the ball on the Dons’ left flank, and the scorer of the game’s opening goal would charge into the box, cut inside and score his second of the night via a deflection.

MK Dons continued to press and they would make it 3-1 with just under 20 minutes to go. Ben Wiles got a pocket of space on the right flank and the substitute picked out captain Gilbey, who glanced a header into the back of the net.

Seven minutes later, the Dons had a fourth, as Collins drilled a low pass into the path of Goode and the defender swept a firm strike beyond the reach of Smith.

Collins and Goode would miss late chances to grab further glory for the hosts, but the Dons had already done enough to pick up a comprehensive success as they grabbed just their second home win of the season so far.

MK Dons: Dennis – Ekpiteta, Sanders, Goode – Silvera (Jones 85), Fullah (Wiles 45), Wintle, Gilbey (Barlaser 85), Campbell (Bramall 85) – Nombe (Paterson 78), Collins

Subs not used: Stacey, Crowley

Goal: Collins (40, 62), Gilbey (71), Goode (78)

Booked: Paterson

Bromley: Smith – Sowunmi, Jackson, Grant – Ifill (Jones 62), Hondermarck (McKiernan 62), Conteh (Thompson 76), Saville, Pinnock – Cheek, Adeboyejo (Kabamba 76)

Subs not used: Mason, Whitely, Miller

Goal: Pinnock (45+1)

Booked: Grant, McKiernan