MK Dons Head Coach Scott Lindsey said he was encouraged by his team’s work as they beat the Arsenal U21s on penalties in the EFL Trophy.
Lindsey spoke after Tuesday night’s game at Stadium MK, in which the Dons took the lead twice through goals by Ellis Harrison only to be pegged back on the way to a 2-2 draw, before goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray saved three penalties in the shootout.
In his remarks, Lindsey said he felt there was a lot to be encouraged by as he continues to acclimatise to life with his new squad after switching from Crawley last month.
He said, “Lots to be encouraged by. I thought in terms of in-possession in the first half, we were really good, second half became really long for us as we had a lot of play without the ball, which isn’t normally us. But there’s a lot to be encouraged by. A couple of good goals from Ellis and Craig became the hero at the end, which was pleasing. He’s obviously not played a lot of football so it was nice for him to get out and have a game, and of course he became the hero at the end, which was pleasing for him.”
Lindsey said that while there has been minimal time to get his ideas across, the bedrock was there for them to build on when they get weeks without midweek games as the season develops.
He said, “The longer we have them on the training ground, we want to get to the point where you see that team playing exactly the team as a team playing on Saturday. There were moments in the game where you saw that but we’re not there yet. We’ve not had that many opportunities to coach the players because we’ve had Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday games thick and fast, and we’ve kind of recovered and prepared but not actually coached.
“When we get clear weeks, it’ll be good for me and my staff to get detail into every single player and when we play these games, you’ll get a squad of players who know the remit of how we play is. You saw bits of that tonight, but not enough, but it’s early. But there’s lots I’m pleased about.”
The game saw Lindsey make 11 changes from MK Dons’ previous assignment against Tranmere, and Lindsey said that with the quantity of games in a season, he would be wanting his players to be able to slot in as needed.
He said, “You build a squad because there’s 50-odd games a season and there’ll be injuries, dips in form, suspensions and you need these players to get through the season. We’ve got quite a big number here – I think there’s 37 professionals and we have to look at that and maybe think about how that looks going forward, but you need a squad to get through a season. There’s 50-odd games that come thick and fast and the conditioning needed now to play professional football is through the roof. It’s difficult to play every minute of every game, so that’s why we have a squad.”
While drawing and a penalty shootout didn’t equal the full three points as per EFL Trophy rules, Lindsey was still pleased to see it as a milestone in developing a winning mentality at the club.
He said, “A win’s a win. I don’t worry about the points, that’s a win as we got more goals than they did so it’s a win as far as I’m concerned! We have to have a winning mentality here which I’m trying to build really quickly. I want the players to feel that and I told them we won the game, well done. We have to celebrate when we win and be disappointed when we don’t.”
Tributes were paid before and during the England vs Greece football game in honour of the former MK Dons star George Baldock after his death.
England and Greece met one another the day after news that 31-year-old England-born Greek international footballer Baldock had died in his home in Athens, in news that has shocked the football community.
Before the England vs Greece game in the UEFA Nations League at Wembley in London, a minute’s silence was held, while both sides wore black armbands.
The Greek side also posed with a Greek shirt with Baldock’s name on the back before the match, with the same shirt also held aloft when Vangelis Pavlidis scored his first goal in a 2-1 win for Greece. The scorer also pointed at his armband during his celebration.
Greece will also be holding tributes before their next match during the current international window, which will see them host the Republic of Ireland on Sunday.
Although born in Buckingham in England, Baldock qualified to play for Greece through his grandmother, and had won 12 caps for the Greek national side. He had moved to Greece in the summer of 2024 after joining the Athens-based Panathinaikos team from Sheffield United.
Before the game, Greece’s players said in a statement, “It is impossible to believe that our dear friend and team-mate, George, is no longer with us. Our pain is indescribable.
“Tonight, we will try to reach the strength of his soul, which is a bright example for us all. Our thoughts are with his family. We will never forget you friend.”
The Baldock family have also released a statement paying tribute to George. In a statement to the media including Sky Sports and the BBC, they confirmed the results of a post-mortem conducted by Greek police, paid tribute to Baldock and requested privacy at this time.
They said, “We are heartbroken with the sudden passing of our beloved George. We can confirm that a post-mortem examination has found that George tragically drowned whilst swimming in the pool at his home in Glyfada, Athens
“George, you were the most special father, fiance, son, brother, uncle, friend, team-mate and person. Your enthusiasm and infectious personality brought so much love to those that were fortunate enough to know you and those that adored you from the stands.
“We will forever cherish the special memories we have of you and you will continue to live on in your beautiful son. You were due to fly home today for us to celebrate his first birthday together, but instead we mourn your loss.
“As a family it has been incredibly touching, but equally so very difficult to read the huge number of tributes written by those that knew George and from those whose life he touched.
“It was impossible not to love him. We ask that you please continue to respect our privacy at this devastating time as we begin to process our grief.”
Supporters of Sheffield United have begun to lay shirts and flowers in tribute outside Bramall Lane, with the news coming just 4 months after he left the club.
MK Dons have also confirmed how fans can pay tribute to Baldock ahead of their upcoming game against Port Vale.
The club will be opening a book of condolence for the Baldock family, which will be open in the club shop from tomorrow (11/10).
A minute’s silence will be held before the game, while both MK Dons and Port Vale will be wearing black armbands during the match.
MK Dons also said, “Everyone at MK Dons is utterly devastated by the news of George’s passing and takes comfort in the knowledge we will all come together as one this Saturday to remember one of our own.”
Tributes have been paid after the news that former MK Dons player George Baldock has died at the age of 31.
Baldock’s death was confirmed by the Greek Super League and the Greek FA on Wednesday (09/10) after reports emerged in local media in Greece that he had been found dead at his house in the suburbs of the Greek capital Athens.
The defender had joined Panathinaikos from Sheffield United in the summer, having left the South Yorkshire club seven years after joining the Blades from MK Dons.
In a statement shared to multiple media sources, the Greek Super League confirmed the news. They said, “The entire Super League football family expresses its deep sorrow for the untimely loss of Panathinaikos and our national team footballer, George Baldock, and extends its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
MK Dons were among those who paid tribute to Baldock, who came through the club’s academy and made over 100 first-team appearances for the club.
In a statement, they said, “We are deeply devastated and saddened to learn about the shocking news of former Academy graduate and MK Dons player, George Baldock.
“George started his career at Stadium MK, where he worked his way through the youth ranks and made his senior career debut at the Club before reaching the heights of the Premier League in later years.
“Everyone affiliated with MK Dons shares a great love for George, Sam and the Baldock family, and we would like to share our sincerest condolences during these awful times.
“You will always be one of our own, George.”
Other clubs that Baldock represented in his playing career have also paid tribute, as have other figures from across the football world.
Sheffield United were among those to pay tribute, with Baldock having joined the Blades from MK Dons in 2017 and helping them win promotion to the Premier League in 2019 and again in 2023.
The Blades said in a statement, “Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock.
“The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with supporters, staff and team-mates who pulled on a red and white shirt alongside him
“The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United are extended to George’s family and friends.”
Oxford United, who Baldock joined on loan from MK Dons in two separate spells in 2015, said, “Oxford United Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock, aged 31. The sincere condolences of everyone associated with the Club are extended to James, Sam, his family, and friends.
Northampton Town, who Baldock represented on 5 occasions in 2011 in a loan spell, said, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former loanee George Baldock at the tragically young age of 31. George made 5 appearances in 2011 on loan from MK Dons before playing for Oxford and Sheff Utd. Sending our sincerest condolences to George’s family/friends.”
Reading, who Baldock’s brother Sam played for, said, “Everyone at Reading Football Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of George Baldock. A brother to former Royal Sam, our thoughts are with George’s family, friends and former colleagues at this difficult time.”
The EFL as a whole also paid tribute in their own social media statement. They said, “The EFL is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of George Baldock, a player who made a lasting impact with spells across the League at Sheffield United, Oxford United, Northampton Town and MK Dons. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and former colleagues.”
Tributes were also paid by the English and Greek FAs. Baldock had played for the Greece national team 12 times, having qualified to represent the nation through his grandmother, and the news of his death came the night before England were scheduled to play Greece in a UEFA Nations League game at Wembley Stadium in London.
The Hellenic Football Federation that represents Greece’s FA said, “With deep sadness and pain, the National Team and the Hellenic Football Federation say goodbye to George Baldock. There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the untimely death of one of our young people. The moment calls for silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family.”
The FA added, “We’re extremely saddened by the passing of George Baldock. George was close to many of our players, and represented Greece – our opponents on Thursday night. We’re thinking of George’s family, friends and team-mates at club and country at this difficult time.”
Milton Keynes City Council has secured Government funding to plant 6,000 trees around the city.
The City Council was able to pip other councils to bid for £325,000 from the Forestry Commission’s ‘Treescapes Fund’, which the City Council confirmed they will use to plant natives such as oak, hawthorn and birch trees as well as to develop ‘forest gardens’ in several areas.
Forest gardens are where fruit trees are planted alongside vegetables and herbs in raised beds that communities can care for and benefit from. The city council will involve local people in designing their forest garden and how it will be looked after, with workshops to be announced shortly.
The proposed locations for additional tree planting are Bletchley, Bradville, Coffee Hall, Fishermead, Fullers Slade, Grange Farm, Netherfield, New Bradwell, Stacey Bushes and West Bletchley as these areas have less tree canopy cover than elsewhere in Milton Keynes.
Cabinet Member for Sustainability, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, said, “Trees can give so much to communities and to the environment, and in the last year we’ve planted more than 2,000 trees as part of our commitment to keep Milton Keynes a green, sustainable, and healthy city.”
Cabinet Member for the Public Realm, Cllr Jennifer Wilson-Marklew, added, “Winter is our peak tree planting period, and we’ll act quickly to plant all the trees supported by this funding in time for spring. We’ll also be out and about to involve local residents in designing a forest garden that they can help grow and enjoy for years to come.”
MK Dons won on penalties in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy with a 3-1 shootout win over the Arsenal under-21s after a 2-2 draw.
In the 90 minutes, Ellis Harrison would put the Dons in front, only for Andre Harriman-Annous to equalise less than five minutes later.
Harrison would quickly put MK Dons back in front, but the game’s fourth goal in just over ten minutes would see Nathan Butler-Oyededi strike a second equaliser for the Arsenal juniors.
The Dons suffered a blow when Callum Tripp was taken off injured, leaving them having to play the final stages a man down.
But the Dons managed to pick up the point for a draw and then the bonus point for winning in the shoot-out, thanks to Craig MacGillivray marking his return to the first-team with three saves.
The result maintains the Dons’ hopes of qualifying for the knockout rounds ahead of their final assignment in the competition’s group stage against Leyton Orient in mid-November.
The second of three home games for MK Dons in a week would make up their second assignment in the group stages of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. Having lost to Colchester in their opener in what turned out to be Mike Williamson’s final game in charge, the Dons knew a defeat would see them at severe risk of a group stage elimination from the competition.
MK Dons opted for a total reshuffle from the weekend’s draw against Tranmere Rovers, with Scott Lindsey changing all eleven names from that game. This included a first start of the season for MacGillivray in goal, recalls following absences for Sam Sherring, Joe Pritchard and Tom Carroll, and a first senior start for youngster Damerai Singh-Hurditt.
In weather that alternated between stillness and heavy rain, the opening stages saw a couple of half opportunities fall for either side without either being able to convert.
The Dons’ best chances saw Harrison and Sonny Finch have efforts blocked, while Sherring saw a flicked volley at a corner just clear the bar.
Arsenal U21s were providing danger, but were struggling to turn this into great chances, with their best seeing Jimi Gower have a shot blocked by a team-mate after MacGillivray’s pass out was intercepted, before an angled shot by Ismeal Kabia was saved by MacGillivray.
As the game carried on, it would ultimately be MK Dons that found a way through. After a fast break failed to yield a shot, the home side won a corner and from Dean Lewington’s delivery, Harrison rose highest to head home.
But the Dons’ lead would last just four minutes. A strike by Butler-Oyededi was denied by MacGillivray, and waiting in the middle was Harriman-Annous to sweep home the rebound.
Two minutes after that, however, MK Dons took the lead again. MJ Williams won the ball high up, and the loose ball fell kindly for Harrison, who was able to scoop a fine strike into the back of the net via a post.
Yet the game still continued in a goalscoring vein, with Arsenal U21s scoring to make it four goals in just over ten minutes. A handy run by Josh Robinson saw him vex the Dons’ defence before he slipped through Butler-Oyededi, who fired a shot into the roof of the Dons’ net.
The Arsenal U21 side had a bright start to the second half, with Kabia denied by MacGillivray before Salah Oulad-M’Hand had a shot blocked by MJ Williams. Similar last gap heroics also came in from Callum Tripp to block a strike by Butler-Oyededi.
Butler-Oyededi continued to look dangerous, with the striker having a shot blocked by Tripp and then another try blocked at the resulting corner.
MK Dons did have a danger of their own, however, and they came close when Rian Silver thumped a shot off the crossbar at a corner.
But the Dons would suffer a blow as Tripp would pull up while trying to lead a charge forward. With the Dons having used all 5 subs, it meant they would have to play the final ten minutes and injury time a man down.
However, the Dons navigated that without conceding, and so the game would be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
MacGillivray ended up stepping up in the shootout, denying Arsenal U21’s first two spot-kicks to keep out Michal Rosiak and then Oulad-M’Hand.
But while Dean Lewington scored the Dons’ first penalty, MJ Williams struck the crossbar to keep it close.
However, Arsenal U21 sub Harrison Dudziak would be denied by MacGillivray, who saved all of the first three kicks.
Tom Carroll would score from the spot, and although Arsenal’s Maldini Kacurri kept the visitor’s hopes alive, Tommy Leigh scored the penalty to confirm the Dons had picked up the bonus shootout point to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the next round.
MK Dons: MacGillivray – Sherring (Lewis-Burgess 51), Tripp, Lewington – Pritchard (Wood 76), Carroll, Williams, Ilunga – Singh-Hurditt (Silver 76), Harrison (Leigh 64), Finch (Medwynter 64)
Subs not used: Harness, White
Goal: Harrison (25, 31)
Arsenal U21: Martin – Robinson (Nichols 45), Kacurri, Monlouis, Lewis-Skelly – Oulad-M’hand, Rosiak, Gower (Dudziak 89( – Kabia (Forde 88), Butler-Oyededi, Harriman-Annous
Subs not used: Okonkwo, Ferdinand, Quesada-Thorn, Julienne
Goal: Harriman-Annous (29), Butler-Oyededi (36)
