Matchday Live: MK Dons v Cherries (From Bournemouth Echo)

4:56pm

Cherries are set to climb to third position as things stand.

4:54pm

We'll try to provide some news on Tommy Elphick's injury after the match. He walked off with help from physio Steve Hard, rather than requiring a stretcher, after Ryan Lowe's horror tackle.

4:48pm

Cherries sub: Grabban off, Tubbs on.

4:47pm

Short free-kick touched to Arter and he unleashes a fantastic left-footed drive which leaves Martin rooted to the spot.

4:45pm

Non-league update: Shortwood Utd 3 Poole Town 0.

4:43pm

Izale McLeod gets in behind but he slices his shot harmlessly wide.

4:42pm

Attendance: 9,233. No away figure given but looks at least 1,000.

4:41pm

MK Dons sub: Lines off, Ismail on. 79 mins.

Cherries sub: McQuoid off, Hughes on. 79 mins.

4:40pm

Richard Hughes is preparing to come on here. Josh McQuoid is down so expecting Hughes to play deep in midfield, with Grabban moving to the wing.

4:38pm

Fine clearance from Cook following an MK free-kick.

4:38pm

Bit of shooting practice in the past few minutes with Ritchie, Arter and Pitman all having efforts blocked.

4:32pm

Immediately after, Pitman's firm right-footer rises too much and flies over when he should have at least hit the target.

4:32pm

End-to-end stuff now and Cherries get a major reprieve. Nice build-up from MK allows Smith to set up Harley from 25 yards. He beats Jalal with a lovely curler, only to see it bounce back off the post. McLeod misses a sitter from the rebound but will be thankful to see the linesman flag for offside anyway.

4:28pm

Big chance for Grabban. Another slick Cherries move puts the leading goalscorer clean through but Martin produces a fine one-handed stop.

4:27pm

Cherries' main rivals Doncaster, Tranmere and Brentford are all losing.

4:26pm

Lovely move from Cherries results in O'Kane finding Pitman, but the striker fires wide.

4:24pm

MK Dons sub: Doumbe off, Alan Smith on. 63 minutes.

4:23pm

Cherries appear in total control at the moment. It is all very comfortable against the 10 men.

4:21pm

Superb, pinpoint cross from Ritchie but Pitman heads straight at Martin.

4:17pm

Cherries' official photographer Mick Cunningham got the following picture of Ryan Lowe's ugly challenge on Tommy Elphick...

4:15pm

Karl Robinson is entertainment personified on the touchline. He must have covered some impressive yardage while shouting at the assistant referee and fourth official.

4:13pm

Bit of early pressure from MK Dons with Cherries having to defend two free-kicks in dangerous positions.

4:12pm

4:10pm

MK Dons sub at half-time: Adam Chicksen off, Izale McLeod on.

4:09pm

Steve Cook is wearing the captain's armband in Elphick's absence.

4:08pm

Matt Ritchie has slotted in at left-back for Cherries, with Dan Seaborne moving inside to central defence.

4:06pm

We are under way in the second half.

4:05pm

FIRST HALF ASSESSMENT

Cherries were clinical in the first half. MK Dons saw plenty of the ball but failed to create many openings against the hard-working and well-organised visitors. Cherries capitalised on a defensive error to go ahead through Lewis Grabban before good work from Grabban allowed Pugh to double the lead. Down to 10 men, it is hard to see a way back for the hosts.

3:57pm

Stand-in skipper Tommy Elphick had played every minute of every game since Eddie Howe's appointment.

3:51pm

In the aftermath to the goal, Ritchie came on to replace Elphick who was unable to continue following Lowe's X-rated tackle.

3:50pm

Lewis Grabban's shot is kicked clear by keeper David Martin and Pugh buries the rebound. Should be game over here.

3:49pm

Matt Ritchie is preparing to come on.

3:48pm

Steve Fletcher and Cherries assistant Jason Tindall came off the bench to let Lowe know their feelings as he headed down the tunnel.

3:47pm

Elphick is still receiving treatment from Cherries physio Steve Hard. Simon Francis reacted furiously as did a number of the other Cherries players.

3:46pm

Lunging, two-footed challenge from Ryan Lowe on Tommy Elphick. Red card.

3:44pm

First meaningful bit of work for Shwan Jalal and he is up to the task. The Cherries keeper gets down well to parry clear Lowe's half volley from 12 yards.

3:43pm

Good news for Cherries filtering through from Bury where the hosts are leading 2-0 against Cherries' promotion rivals Doncaster.

3:42pm

Play continues with neither player booked. Will be interesting watching that tussle unfold.

3:41pm

Elphick and Lowe go head to head here as tempers flare. Referee Scott Mathieson is talking to both players after a few hangbags and pointing of fingers.

3:37pm

Fair few moans and groans from the stands at stadium:mk. Shows how this game has gone.

3:36pm

Cherries haven't really looked troubled here so far. MK have had plenty of the ball but Cherries have been well organised and hard-working out of possession.

3:33pm

Pitman finds Grabban who does well to hold off his marker to tee up Pugh, but his shot is straight at keeper Martin.

3:33pm

Cherries' former loan striker Lee Barnard has scored on his debut for Oldham, putting them 1-0 up at Walsall.

3:31pm

Non-league update: Shortwood United 1 Poole Town 0 after 25 minutes.

3:30pm

Cherries' on-loan defender Seaborne booked for late challenge.

3:29pm

3:29pm

Lowe's cross is parried clear by Jalal as MK try to apply some pressure.

3:27pm

Rugby update: Bournemouth Lions are 10-6 up at Shelford at half-time.

3:25pm

MK playing a bit of keep ball but Cherries will be more than happy for them to pass it around in the middle third. Grabban is dropping in to match the hosts' five in midfield when necessary.

3:22pm

Good work by Pugh on the left again, turning Otsemobor a treat before his cross is cleared.

3:20pm

Good chance for MK Dons. Harley tees up Lowe but his shot is very badly struck and flies well wide.

3:19pm

As things stand, Cherries would climb to third in League One. Early days yet, though.

3:17pm

Scuffed shot from Ryan Harley bobbles harmlessly wide.

3:17pm

A nice piece of footwork from Pugh comes to nothing as his appeal for a free-kick is waved away.

3:14pm

Elphick, O'Kane and McQuoid combine to eventually clear an MK Dons corner.

3:13pm

And it was so nearly a second for Grabban within minutes. Another defensive slip allowed the Cherries star to take aim from 25 yards, but his left-footed curler drifted narrowly wide.

3:12pm

Lovely cool finish by Cherries' leading goalscorer. Jon Otsemobor's backpass was way too short and Grabban calmly rounded keeper David Martin before rolling the ball home.

3:10pm

Cagey start here so far. MK looking to dominate possession but little sign of any cutting edge yet.

3:08pm

We will also be providing updates from our local non-league matches. Andy Mitchell is covering AFC Totton v Bashley, where Bash legend Richard Gillespie has scored against his former club.

3:07pm

3:07pm

Cherries are in a more traditional 4-4-2. Lewis Grabban and Brett Pitman up top.

3:06pm

MK start as expected in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ryan Harley is playing just off striker Ryan Lowe.

3:03pm

Great early chance for Cherries after MK fail to clear long throw. Pitman takes a touch, sets himself but lashes high and wide from 15 yards.

3:01pm

The first half is now under way.

3:01pm

Apologies. Initially listed Daniels instead of Seaborne out of habit. Seaborne starts again with Daniels suffering from a foot problem.

3:00pm

2:58pm

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM – Cherries new boy Matt Ritchie

Ritchie told the Daily Echo: “I had some great times at Swindon but felt it was time to move on. I won League Two with Swindon last season and my aim is to add another promotion to my CV this year.
“This is a great opportunity for me to hopefully reach the Championship with Bournemouth and have a successful time here. I really fancy us to do well.
“Both Swindon and Bournemouth are in a great position and I am sure will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.
“I am confident we can go up because we have got good backing, a good manager and a very good set of players. I trained today for the first time and you could see the standard is high and there is a lot of ability in the squad.”

2:57pm

A few thoughts from new signing Matt Ritchie, who has been named as a substitute...

2:56pm

Good travelling support from Bournemouth inside a stadium which looks about a quarter full.

2:55pm

The teams are in the tunnel here at stadium:mk

2:55pm

2:54pm

2:54pm

2:54pm

2:53pm

WINDOW SHOPPING

Come the end of the season, the importance of January could really hit home.
A highly productive transfer window only served to reinforce Cherries’ status as promotion contenders.
Boss Eddie Howe completed the stunning signing of Matt Ritchie on Wednesday for £500,000.
That came after Cherries had already flexed their financial muscles by recruiting Scottish winger Ryan Fraser from Aberdeen for £300,000.
Brett Pitman (pictured above) also rejoined the club for a bargain cut-price £50,000 from Bristol City, with young goalkeeper Ryan Allsop appearing an astute capture on a free transfer.
Howe also took the chance to trim his squad, with Dutch duo Frank Demouge and Lorenzo Davids and unsettled striker Wes Thomas all departing.

INS: Brett Pitman, Harry Cornick, Ryan Fraser, Ryan Allsop, Matt Ritchie, Dan Seaborne (loan).
OUTS: Mark Molesley, Lorenzo Davids, Frank Demouge (loan), Stephane Zubar (loan), Wes Thomas (loan).

2:50pm

This is, of course, the first game since the January transfer window slammed shut. Let's take a look at Cherries' business...

2:48pm

FORM GUIDE

Cherries arrive in Milton Keynes on the back of wins over Hartlepool and Crewe. Prior to that, Walsall had ended Eddie Howe’s 15-match unbeaten run in League One.
MK Dons lost at Yeovil on Tuesday after failing to follow up their impressive 4-2 FA Cup win over top-flight outfit QPR.
Cherries are fifth in the standings and now just seven points off the automatic promotion places. MK Dons, who have at least one game in hand on most of their rivals, have dropped to 10th, five points adrift of the play-off zone.

Since Howe's appointment, Cherries have gained 17 points on MK Dons.

Form - league games only…
Cherries – W W L D D W
MK Dons – L D W L L W

2:47pm

2:46pm

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM – MK Dons boss Karl Robinson

Robinson told his club’s official website: “They bought very well. Eddie has made some good signings since returning to Bournemouth.
“This is going to be a good game and I can’t wait for it. The players feel they have a point to prove because there were a few things that weren’t good enough on Tuesday night and I think we will see a big response.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge. I enjoy playing against Bournemouth, I like playing there and they are a good football club.”

2:45pm

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM – Cherries boss Eddie Howe

Howe told the club website: “It has been good to have a clear week to prepare for this game. We had a very busy schedule and had a lot of tired bodies, both physically and mentally.
“It has been a good week and the players are looking bright and looking forward to what will be a difficult game against a very good side.
“We are fully aware that they have an excellent home record and, with the surface they have, they can play the style of football they are suited to.
“They showed last weekend just how good they are by winning 4-2 at QPR in the FA Cup. Both sides like to get the ball down and play, so it has the makings of a very good game.”

2:42pm

MK Dons: (4-2-3-1) Martin; Otsemobor, Doumbe, Williams, Lewington; Potter, Harley; Bowditch, Lines, Chicksen; Lowe. Subs: Smith, McLeod, Baldock, Alli, Ismail, Flanagan.

2:39pm

Cherries: (4-4-2) Jalal; Francis, Cook, Elphick, Seaborne; McQuoid, O’Kane, Arter, Pugh; Grabban, Pitman. Subs: Tubbs, Partington, Ritchie, Hughes, Fletcher, Fogden, Allsop (g/k).

2:38pm

Cherries have named an unchanged team following the victory over Crewe last weekend. Big-money new signing Matt Ritchie has been named on the bench.

2:37pm

Good afternoon all and welcome to stadium:mk for the League One clash between MK Dons and Cherries.