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Dreams of a trip to Wembley were crushed this evening as a disappointing crowd saw Paul Ince's strong MK Dons side gain a comfortable victory. Ledbury lad Tyler Weir was given his debut as John Trewick shuffled the pack. Behind at the interval, Hereford fought back to level but were hit by a triple whammy from their higher graded opponents.
The first meaningful action of a damp, misty night saw the home side concede an early goal. On 6 minutes, a right wing cross from ex- Barnet foe Jason Puncheon was expertly redirected past Adam Bartlett by the lively Sam Baldock. Kenny Lunt played a superb through ball to Leon Constantine, who composed himself before shooting straight at keeper Willy Gueret, but it was the visitors who were more creative. Much travelled Jermaine Easter made a darting run and shot narrowly wide and Nigel Quashie played in Luke Chadwick, whose shot was blocked by Lunt. The resulting corner was headed away from danger by Constantine. Whilst there was the odd half chance at either end, neither keeper was seriously troubled as the half drifted to a rather tame conclusion.
HT: HUFC 0 MK DONS 1
The Bulls emerged for the second period with renewed vigour. The Dons began to look rattled as Pugh nearly set up Craig King with a neat backheel, and a cross from the busy Jordon Mutch almost found Sam Gwynne. Weir was gaining confidence and Constantine put King in but the attack was halted by an offside flag. Finally on 64 minutes the pressure was rewarded. King held off two challenges before feeding Jonny Godsmark, who had replaced a rather ineffectual Gavin McCallum. The Newcastle youngster unselfishly squared the ball for Constantine to fire an equaliser high into the net. Barely a minute later, the same combination very nearly put the Bulls ahead. Godsmark crossed to the far post where Constantine came agonisingly close to making contact.
This saw the game turn in the visitors' favour. With 69 minutes on the clock, and seemingly little danger, Lunt fluffed a clearance, the ball arced over Bartlett and found a scruffy path to the net, with defenders desperately trying to clear and Puncheon claiming the final touch. Hereford became dispirited and created few further chances. MK extended their lead after 78 minutes as, in similar circumstances to the Notts Co game, a cross was not cleared. The beneficiary this time was Aaron Wilbraham who easily beat Bartlett. Worse was to come as the unseasonal Easter raced onto a through ball to fire home and make it 4-1 on 82 minutes. No way back for the Bulls, and although perhaps the scoreline flattered the Dons a little, it must be said that the victory was well deserved.
Attendance: 1367 with 137 from the land of the concrete cow.
FT: HUFC 1 MK DONS 4
HUFC: Bartlett, Gwynne, Lowe, Jones, Weir, Lunt, Mutch, Pugh (Done 75), Constantine, King (Manset 74), McCallum (Godsmark 54).
MK DONS: Gueret, Lewington, Doumbe, McCracken, Gleeson (Leven 78), Easter, Baldock (Gobern 58), Woodards, Puncheon, Chadwick (Wilbraham 66), Quashie.
