MK Dons lost a third straight game after a 2-0 home defeat by Notts County.
Second half strikes by George Abbott and Dan Crowley decided the contest in the Magpies’ favour, as MK Dons missed out on a chance to leapfrog their guests in the League Two table.
Defeat means that the Dons have now been beaten for three games in a row after a previous run of six straight league wins. In a congested League Two table, the result is that MK Dons now find themselves in 11th place in the table, although they are four points off the play-offs with at least one game in hand on the teams above them.
Having suffered a disappointing reverse at home to Gillingham in their last game before conceding six in an eventful trip to Newport last time out, MK Dons had hopes of returning to winning ways at home to a Notts County side that had never won at Stadium MK.
Scott Lindsey’s selections for a cold and foggy Boxing Day bash were boosted by the return of Joe Tomlinson after injury, as part of a reshuffle that also saw Conor Lemonheigh-Evans and Tom Carroll recalled.
It was the Dons who created the first major chance of note, as Liam Kelly saw a low strike scuttle wide in the early stages.
Notts County were looking confident in possession in the early stages but the Dons were limiting their effectiveness in attacking areas, with their best chance seeing a hit from outside the box by David McGoldrick provide a straight-forward save for Tom McGill.
The visitors had been looking likelier to do something but MK Dons nearly found a way through when Alex Gilbey saw a snapshot just clear the top of the bar.
Notts County then nearly found an unorthodox route to goal, as a free-kick from a wide position by Nick Tsaurolla ended up striking the post, with the rebound prodded wide.
Laurence Maguire took a knock that would later force him off, but was initially able to continue and in first half stoppage time, the Dons defender had been able to get a shot in that just missed the target.
A low strike by Joe White was denied by Notts County goalkeeper Alex Bass just after the break, before the visitors had their best chance. Defensive hesitation saw a ball intercepted by McGoldrick, and he teed up the Magpies’ top scorer Alassana Jatta, but the striker was denied in a one-on-one by McGill.
Moments later, however, Notts County would open the deadlock. A passing move saw Notts County play their way into the box from their left flank, and a low pass by Crowley would set away defender Abbott, with the Spurs loanee seeing his shot take a deflection off a Dons defender that wrong-footed McGill and put the visitors in front.
A first time thump by Lewis Macari narrowly missed the target as Notts County nearly found a way through again a few moments later.
MK Dons then had a flurry of chances as they nearly equalised. Top scorer Gilbey saw a decent try denied by Bass, and the Notts County goalkeeper kept MK Dons out again when he stopped a Tomlinson strike from the resulting corner.
A low free-kick by White then nearly provided something for the Dons, with the Newcastle loanee’s shot deflected off a Notts County player in the wall and only just bouncing off target.
Just as the Dons seemed to be building up opportunities, however, they conceded a second goal. McGoldrick was able to lay the ball off for Crowley just outside the box, and the Notts County man created space for a shot before firing a low strike into the bottom corner.
Notts County had two great chances in quick succession for a third after that, as Crowley saw a chance from closer range than his goal denied by McGill before Jatta fired wide from Tsaroulla’s cross.
Bass saved a low effort from MK Dons sub and former Notts County man Aaron Nemane, then made an even better stop to keep out Gilbey.
But the Dons duly ran out of ideas for how to cut the deficit as Notts County got the job done, with MK Dons continuing a slow end to 2024. They face a quick turnaround to amend that when they welcome Crewe to Stadium MK on Sunday (29/12) in their final assignment of the year.
MK Dons: McGill – Offord, Lawrence, Maguire (Sherring 62) – Lemonheigh-Evans (Nemane 58), White, Carroll (Thompson-Sommers 72), Tomlinson (Harrison 72) – Kelly, Hogan, Gilbey
Subs not used: MacGillivray, Lewington, Hendry
Booked: Kelly, White
Notts County: Bass – Macari (Ness 74), Platt, Bedeau – Austin, Abbott, Palmer, Tsaroulla – Crowley (Hinchy 85) – Jatta (Brown 90), McGoldrick
Subs not used: Slocombe, Gordon, Martin, Cisse
Goal: Abbott (57), Crowley (71)
Booked: Austin, Palmer
Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of two women in Bletchley, Milton Keynes on Christmas Day.
Thames Valley Police have said that officers were called to a block of apartments in Santa Cruz Avenue in Bletchley at around 6.36pm yesterday (25/12) following reports of a stabbing.
Tragically, a 38-year-old woman and a 24-year-old woman both died at the scene. The next of kin of both victims have been informed and are being supported by officers.
Formal identification and other coronial processes will be undertaken in due course.
Police have also confirmed that a teenage boy and a man aged in his late-twenties have also been injured in the incident and were taken to hospital with serious injuries. They are both in a stable condition.
In addition, a dog was also injured in the incident and was taken to vets but sadly did not survive.
A police investigation was launched following the deaths, with Thames Valley Police confirming the case is with their Major Crime Unit.
Further enquiries were undertaken and a 49-year-old man from Milton Keynes was arrested yesterday (25/12) on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He remains in police custody at this time.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Brangwin, of the Major Crime Unit, said, “Firstly I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the women who have tragically died in this shocking incident.
“We have launched a double murder investigation, which may be concerning to the wider public; however, we have made an arrest and are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident and the parties are known to each other.
“Members of the public will see a large police presence in the area while our investigation takes place. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to approach our officers and they will do their best to help.
“Anyone with information or footage which you think could help our investigation, please call us on 101, quoting reference number 43240622935.
“Alternatively, you can make a report online, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
An investigation by Trading Standards revealed local people buying a drink in a Milton Keynes pub or bar this Christmas could be missing out on measures they were promised.
Following a national Trading Standards investigation which revealed short measured drinks in UK pubs and bars cost the average consumer around £115 per year, Milton Keynes Trading Standards ran a local exercise – the first of its kind – to check if city pub servings are measuring up.
Trading Standards investigators found that 70% of the drinks checked (around ten 175ml glasses of wine and ten pints of beer) were short measured, some by more than 10%. On average, wine was short by 6% and beer by 5%.
This means if consumers each bought two short measured drinks in a Milton Keynes pub or bar over the Christmas period, the cost of the ‘lost servings’ could add up to £39,690.
The research is based on 2023 research by Statistica that 50% of adults will visit a pub or bar at least once per fortnight, equating to 73,500 adults in Milton Keynes. Two drinks per person will be short measured by an average value of 54p based on a pint of beer costing £4.79 and a 175ml glass of wine at £4.83.
The Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) Order 1988 sets out the legal obligations for selling alcohol. Although each business visited was advised of the investigation findings and given guidance, Tranding Standards officers want city consumers to be aware of their rights when they’re out for a festive drink.
Many glasses in pubs, bars and restaurants show a measuring line which consumers can judge the serving by. If beer or wine looks more than 5% short, it’s fine to ask for a top up.
A head of beer is legally part of the measure and may reasonably form up to 5% of a serving. However, if the head is too large – more than 5%, as it was in half of the short measured pints checked by Milton Keynes Trading Standards – you are well within your rights to ask bar staff for an immediate top up.
If you continue to be short measured, get in touch with Milton Keynes Trading Standards.
Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Cllr Mick Legg, said, “It’s absolutely right and fair to ask immediately and politely for a drink to be topped up if you think it falls short. It’s only the same as pointing out that you’ve been overcharged, which it effectively is. Our Trading Standards team have been giving advice to bar staff so fewer drinks get poured short, which brings more value for money for consumers this Christmas and beyond.”
The trust that runs Milton Keynes’ biggest hospital has advised visitors to help keep patients safe amid a rise in winter viruses and infections.
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Trust (MKUH) reported on Friday (20/12) that an increase in cases of seasonal infections had been seen among both patients and staff.
As a consequence, the hospital have announced they will be taking steps to minimise further spread, including an appeal for visitors to think again about entering the hospital if they have flu-like symptoms.
Ian Reckless, Chief Medical Officer at MKUH, said, “We are seeing growth in the number of cases of flu. Whilst there is always significant demand for our services at this time of year, we are now feeling the added pressure of winter illnesses.
“The MKUH team is working hard to ensure that staff don’t spread infection, and I would like to appeal to the Milton Keynes community to play their part too. Please don’t come into the hospital if you have flu-like symptoms and were planning to visit a family member or friend.
“We empathise with everyone who wants to see their loved ones, especially over the festive season, but keeping infections out of the hospital helps us to keep everyone safe at this time when they need our care most.”
MKUH has shared this guidance with hospital visitors to help prevent the spread of infections:
- Do not visit the hospital if you have had flu-like symptoms, diarrhoea and/or vomiting during the past 48 hours, or have been in contact with someone who has had these symptoms in the past 48 hours
- Get vaccinated for flu and Covid-19
- If you don’t have symptoms and wish to visit the hospital, wash your hands thoroughly before and during your visit
- For help with non-urgent medical issues, please avoid the Emergency Department and go through NHS111 instead in the first instance
Milton Keynes residents have also been reminded that the Emergency Department is the right place to visit if someone is experiencing:
- loss of consciousness
- acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
- stroke
- major trauma and accidents such as a road traffic accident
Dr Reckless added, “I must emphasise that if you have any of these serious conditions or symptoms, we want to see you. The people we are asking to stay away from the hospital are those who have symptoms of winter illnesses that can be managed at home, or with the support of a pharmacist or GP.”
Police is appealing for witnesses following a robbery at a taxi rank outside Milton Keynes Central railway station.
The incident happened around midnight on Saturday (21/12). During the incident, a man was stood at the taxi rank outside the train station when he was approached by a number of males.
The offenders grabbed the victim and tried to take his designer coat and beanie. Initially, the victim resisted and one of the offenders pointed to his waist band as though he was carrying a knife.
The victim handed over his coat, the beanie, as well as his Apple Airpods. The offenders then made off towards Costa Coffee.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the victim was not injured during the incident.
The offenders are described by the victim as being between 16 and 18-years-old, around 5ft 6ins to 5ft 9ins in height and were black.
One offender was described as wearing all black and a black camo print snood covering his face.
The second male was wearing a grey coat believed to be Canada Goose.
The third and final offender had a full-face, small afro style hair, square glasses and was wearing all black clothing.
Detective Constable Grace Boland, said, “We are appealing for witnesses following this robbery.
“We are asking anyone who witnessed this incident to come forward. Additionally we believe there were taxi drivers in the vicinity of the taxi rank who may have dash-cam footage of this incident.
“As such we would ask them to please check their footage and get in touch if they think it could assist our enquiries.
“Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 43240617040 or you can contact via our online form.
“Or if you do not wish to speak to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and they will take your report 100% anonymously.”
