Aaron Collins scored four goals to lead Milton Keynes Dons to a 6-1 demolition of Doncaster Rovers, Leyton Orient's next opponents. That victory, which came on Saturday 31 October with goals from Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Jaze Kabia, and Aaron Connolly, was a welcome boost for an Orient side that sits 14th in League One with 17 points from 13 games, having recorded five wins, two draws, and six losses.
Collins struck just two minutes into the match at Stadium MK, drilling a low shot from 20 yards past goalkeeper Tommy Simkin. He doubled his tally 19 minutes later, beating Simkin in a one-on-one situation. Doncaster briefly threatened a comeback when Brandon Hanlan set up Luke Thomas to score after 64 minutes, but Collins extinguished any hope by completing his hat-trick five minutes later, cutting inside before firing home. He added a fourth just seven minutes after that, taking his personal tally for the season to 16 goals. Late strikes from Callum Paterson and Marvin Ekpiteta completed the rout.
Manager reactions
Doncaster boss Grant McCann shouldered the blame for his side's defensive collapse. "It's not good enough from me," McCann said. "It's on me, this result, and any sort of blame is on me." MK Dons manager Paul Warne marvelled at Collins' prolific form. "16 goals before November is not really the sort of thing that happens often in professional ranks," Warne said.
League One context
The heavy defeat compounds a difficult start for Doncaster, who have now lost seven of their opening 13 league games and have conceded 27 goals, the second-worst defensive record in the division. For Leyton Orient, the result provides a clear view of their next challenge. The O's sit 14th in the table with 17 points from 13 matches, their recent form reading two wins, one draw and two defeats. Their recent results include a 2-1 loss at Burton Albion on Saturday 24 October and a 2-0 home win over Blackpool on Saturday 17 October. With 19 goals scored and 14 conceded this season, they have a positive goal difference of five but remain 11 points behind the league leaders. They will travel to face Doncaster after the international break, aiming to improve on a 3-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture last January. The team's top scorer this season is Jaze Kabia with four goals. Orient manager Richie Wellens will be without midfielder George Moncur, who is serving a suspension, while Doncaster's injury concerns include defender Tom Anderson and midfielder Harrison Biggins.
Background and full detail: Yorkshire Post
