Cheltenham — Milton Keynes Dons, Friendlies Clubs

Cheltenham Town hosted Milton Keynes Dons in a Club Friendly on 1 August 2026, and the visitors took all three points with a 2-0 win. The match ended without incident, though the scoreline tells a straightforward story. To be fair, both sides were still finding their rhythm in pre-season. The first goal arrived in the 47th minute, giving the away side an early edge after the break. Cheltenham had not threatened much going in, and the visitors made their presence felt immediately. And here's the thing: once they broke through, the hosts never quite recovered. A. Collins doubled the lead in the 52nd minute, and by then the game was effectively over. The hosts pressed for a reply but found no way through a disciplined defence. The second goal came at a time when Cheltenham were still looking for answers. The statistics painted a picture of even contest. Possession was split nearly evenly at 49 per cent to 51, while attacks stood at 69 for the hosts and 71 for the visitors. Corners told a different story, with Cheltenham earning none compared to six for MK Dons. Yellow cards also favoured the visitors, who went through without a booking while Cheltenham picked up one. The result adds to a mixed run for both sides in recent friendlies. Cheltenham have won two of their last five matches, including a 3-0 victory over Evesham United. MK Dons showed resilience with a 4-1 win over Maidenhead but also lost 2-0 to Walsall. The gap between them remains small, and the price has drifted for what this pre-season campaign might deliver.