RYAN IS CLASS ACT AS DONS RUN RIOT
RYAN COLCLOUGH was the star of the show for MK Dons as he bagged an impressive hat-trick in a rout against below-par Fleetwood, prompting manager Karl Robinson to hail his side’s performance.
Dean Bowditch also added from the penalty spot for MK Dons, while a consolation goal from Bobby Grant was too little too late for the hosts as they suffered a defeat for the second week in a row.
Robinson said: “He (Colclough) is some player. We have always had a class act winger here with Josh (Murphy) the year before and I wish I could have had the two wingers that I wanted, who are also at that level.
“It’s a really pleasing afternoon to come here in the back of September, in difficult conditions and get the win.
“We have performed brilliantly and to come away with a 4-1 win is great, which is the most important thing at this point in the season.”
Uwe Rosler’s men had the first chance of the game, a quick passing move from left to right saw the ball land at the feet of Ashley Hunter, a right-footed cross was headed marginally over the bar by the blonde hair of David Ball.
Moments after that first attack of the game came the first goal.
A darting run down the left by Colclough eventually saw his shot from the corner of the box end up in the back of the net via a deflection. Just past the hour mark MK Dons kicked into overdrive, a mistimed challenge by Jimmy Ryan brought down Bowditch in the box giving referee Robert Jones the easy decision to award a penalty.
Up stepped Bowditch who sent Chris Neal the wrong way to double the Dons advantage. Robinson’s men continued to press the home side.
A long kick from goalkeeper David Martin was picked up by Colclough who carried the ball all the way into the box before drilling past keeper Neal at his front post.
A minute later Fleetwood pulled a goal back. A cross-cum-shot by Grant hit the inside of the left post before looping over Martin in the Dons goal to bring the Cod Army back in with a shout.
With moments of the game remaining the Dons were awarded another penalty kick.
Colclough slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to complete his hattrick, as well an impressive performance from the youngster.
Fleetwood manager Rosler was left frustrated by the result and his side’s performance.
He said: “I think overall we played a very good game and I think that we were a little bit better than them but they just took their chances.
“Every goal we conceded was individual errors and we were given a reality check.”