MK Dons U15s beat their FC Barcelona counterparts 3-0 in front of a record Academy Challenge Match attendance of 4,182 at stadiummk on Sunday lunchtime.
The Dons got off to a flying start when Jay Bird curled in a superb finish from 20 yards on four minutes after good build-up play involving Joe Evans and Dylan Asonganyi.
Shortly afterwards, Recoe Martin forced a smart save from Arnau Tenas before Asonganyi was denied following a powerful solo run as Lewis Higgs’ side started brightly.
FC Barcelona enjoyed a good spell as the game approached the midway point of the first half, but Alfie Jones was more than up to the task as he confidently thwarted the visitors on a couple of occasions.
At the other end, Martin almost caught Tenas off guard with an ambitious 35-yard effort following a clever turn away from his marker in the centre circle.
Jones expertly held a well-hit free-kick before he put pressure on Jaume Cuellar, who fired over the top from the right apex of the 18-yard box.
Martin extended the Dons’ lead on 47 minutes, showing a clean pair of heels to his marker as he latched on to a fine through-ball before finishing with aplomb past Tenas.
Tenas denied Martin a brace shortly afterwards as the striker threatened once again while, at the other end, Konrad De La Fuente couldn’t finish Cuellar’s cut-back.
FC Barcelona went very close to pulling one back on 53 minutes but the Dons held firm – firstly John Freeman blocked a shot before Jones saved from Arnau Vilamitjana.
Both sides continued to impress the crowd with their respective brands of football and right-back Leon Taylor made it 3-0 to the Dons in the closing stages when he expertly brought down a corner and fired home from 15 yards out.
Overall, a great experience which will surely stand these youngsters in good stead, while the fans got a glimpse of some potential stars of tomorrow.
MK Dons: Jones; Taylor, Rahman, Hourican-Harvey (c), Richardson; Bonsu, Wright; Evans, Asonganyi, Bird; Martin.
Rolling subs: Pickworth, Blair, Philpott, Pattison, Tapp, Robinson, Bell, Freeman, Jackson.
Attendance: 4,182.