The Under-18s began their Youth Alliance Merit League 2 campaign with a 3-1 victory away at Stevenage.
The young Dons came from behind to secure the win, with goals coming from Connor Furlong (pictured), Adam Hunt and Sam Nombe.
The Merit League 2 campaign follows on from the regular season, and sees the Dons merged into a division with teams from the South West as well as those in the South East.
In an effort to re-focus and challenge his side, Director of Youth Mike Dove opted for a new 3-1-3-1-2 formation.
His young team took some time to adjust to their new system and that allowed Stevenage to cap a dominant start with a goal on 17 minutes.
The Dons re-grouped after the goal and they ended the half strongly, although weren’t able to get on the scoresheet.
They did, though, level things up six minutes after the re-start when Furlong latched onto a cross from Nombe and, at the second attempt, was able to find the net from 15-yards.
It was all Dons from then on and their hopes of coming away with more than a point were boosted when the hosts were reduced to 10 men.
The sending off allowed Dove’s side more freedom to showcase their patient but classy style of football and eventually, with 80 minutes on the clock, captain Hunt put them ahead with a deflected strike.
The victory was then sealed five minutes later when Jack Hadden found Nombe with a terrific pass and the striker finished well past the Boro keeper.
Speaking after game, Dove said: “I was very pleased with the boys. We challenged them by playing a different formation and their attitude was excellent. The pitch wasn’t great either but they kept playing well.
“We dominated the opposition and took advantage when they went down to 10 men, which isn’t always easy. We stretched them, created chances and on another day we might have scored more goals.
“The lads deserve a big pat on the back after this.”
Starting XI: McCorkell (Pickworth 75); Kioso, Steele, Jackson; Hunt; Owusu, Hadden, Osei-Bonsu (Stratton 75); Furlong; Thomas-Asante (Nombe 46), Logan.
Subs not used: Omar
The Merit League 2 campaign follows on from the regular season, and sees the Dons merged into a division with teams from the South West as well as those in the South East.
In an effort to re-focus and challenge his side, Director of Youth Mike Dove opted for a new 3-1-3-1-2 formation.
His young team took some time to adjust to their new system and that allowed Stevenage to cap a dominant start with a goal on 17 minutes.
The Dons re-grouped after the goal and they ended the half strongly, although weren’t able to get on the scoresheet.
They did, though, level things up six minutes after the re-start when Furlong latched onto a cross from Nombe and, at the second attempt, was able to find the net from 15-yards.
It was all Dons from then on and their hopes of coming away with more than a point were boosted when the hosts were reduced to 10 men.
The sending off allowed Dove’s side more freedom to showcase their patient but classy style of football and eventually, with 80 minutes on the clock, captain Hunt put them ahead with a deflected strike.
The victory was then sealed five minutes later when Jack Hadden found Nombe with a terrific pass and the striker finished well past the Boro keeper.
Speaking after game, Dove said: “I was very pleased with the boys. We challenged them by playing a different formation and their attitude was excellent. The pitch wasn’t great either but they kept playing well.
“We dominated the opposition and took advantage when they went down to 10 men, which isn’t always easy. We stretched them, created chances and on another day we might have scored more goals.
“The lads deserve a big pat on the back after this.”
Starting XI: McCorkell (Pickworth 75); Kioso, Steele, Jackson; Hunt; Owusu, Hadden, Osei-Bonsu (Stratton 75); Furlong; Thomas-Asante (Nombe 46), Logan.
Subs not used: Omar
