Callum Tripp’s double was bested by Marlow’s four-goal victory at the Alfred Davis Memorial Stadium, which saw the Dons exit the County Cup.
A young MK Dons side were eliminated from the semi-final stage of the Berks & Bucks County Cup competition following a 4-2 defeat against Marlow.
FIRST-HALF
The home side applied the pressure during the opening stages of the game, which forced the Dons into defensive action early on.
With bodies behind the ball and multiple heroic interventions from goalkeeper Sebastian Stacey, the travelling team were able to keep their counterpart at an arm’s length, but only until the 15-minute mark.
Marlow’s multiple attacking threats ultimately played dividends as they broke the deadlock through a close-range finish. 1-0
Unfortunately, captain Charlie Stirland saw his night end early after suffering a knock which forced the defender off the field.
Things went from bad to worse for the Dons as the boys in blue doubled their advantage not long after their first goal scored. 2-0
With momentum in their favour, Marlow sought to put the game to bed, but Stacey’s finger-tip save to direct the ball away from the top corner it seemed destined for injected a surge of energy into the team.
MK Dons used this moment to spur them on further up the field as Callum Tripp was successful in halving the deficit with his finish from outside of the area. 2-1
Stacey’s heroics were in abundance as the ‘keeper made a pivotal one-on-one stop just before the interval.
SECOND-HALF
John Bitting’s team came out of the blocks sharply, which reflected in their positive play as they mounted a few attacks against their hosts. However, Marlow rose to each challenge and defended accordingly.
Isaac Olaleye and Joshua Adepoju were both substituted on just 13 minutes after the break.
With 68 minutes on the stopwatch, The Blues increased their advantage. In similar fashion, a strike from within the box disheartened the young Dons side. 3-1
Although, the visitors didn’t give up there, and minutes later they had given themselves a lifeline within the elimination match as Tripp claimed his brace with a powerful hit into the roof of the net. 3-2
PDP Head Coach Bitting brought on Marcel Guzynski in the final stages of the match.
During the final few minutes, MK Dons committed bodies forward in the hope that they could find the equaliser they were searching for.
Alas, it wasn’t to be. Marlow would ultimately punish MK Dons with a fourth and final goal for the home side, which secured their progression into the final of the tournament. 4-2
***
MK Dons: Stacey, Clark-Anderson, Ilunga, Sinclair-Linton, Tripp, Stirland (C) (Matthews 17), Troso (Guzynski 78), Lewis-Burgess, Brammeld (Olaleye 58), Daffern (Adepoju 58), Singh-Hurditt
Goals: Tripp 33,75
