It’s not hard to understand why MK Dons are where they are in the table, they were probably the worst team I have seen at Roots Hall this season. So, with that proviso, any team, good or bad, has to be beaten and that is exactly what we did. Theo Robinson decided to carry on where he left off against Gillingham and there were times today when MK found him unplayable. Injuries made selection of the team a bit of a lottery, especially in defence, but Elvis won the race and his prize was the left back berth. It was quite clear that he wasn’t comfortable there but he grew into it as the game went on. I predict very good things for that young man. Once, in the first half he was well and truly clattered and I thought he was badly hurt, but youth and fitness showed through and he bounced back up and just got on with it. I mention this because often our 30 somethings stay down for ages after that sort of tackle. Anyway, our fears of nausing it up were ill founded and we entered half time comfortably winning 2-0 with both coming from Theo. I have to say that it was a bit surreal when the West Stand were chanting ‘Theo, Theo’ and I had to pinch myself a bit, but it was well deserved, his second was an absolute peach and deserves to be included in goal of the season. Unlike others I thought Marco was struggling today and his normal close control was a bit iffy, but give the guy credit, he never gives up.
Second half and MK at least started to give the game some effort but truthfully, their finishing was abysmal, to the point where Oxley’s first real saves of the game didn’t occur until injury time, but more of that later. I thought at one stage that the game was going to peter out at 2-0 because we started to indulge in our ‘lets all stand off and watch them’ routine, but thankfully we got back in the groove again and McLaughlin headed our third and it really was game over then. MK were dishing out some harsh treatment to our players and most fouls went our way, and then came the moment when Theo scored again. Having witnessed that hat trick I now believe that work will start on Fossetts Farm this year!!! As for the rest of the players, Yearwood was immense, Anton pulled something and had to be replaced, John White was a rock at the back and then came Mr Oxley. In injury time MK finally got into a shooting position in front of goal and one of their number let one fly which Oxley parried, the ball fell perfectly for their player right in the middle of the goal and you had to think he can’t miss. Oxley had other ideas and he blocked the shot to complete an excellent double save which earnt him a standing ovation from the West. Theo, when substituted, received a standing ovation so that was twice in one game, that doesn't happen very often. Hopefully the highlights will show just how good the saves were. The offical MoM went to Theo and there must be very few who would disagree, I certainly wouldn't. So,final whistle, another 4 goal haul, definite safety in FL1 and us all wondering why the **** they can’t do this away from home.