The Under-18s produced a dominant display as they returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory against Southend United at Woughton-on-the-Green.
Goals from Kyran Wiltshire (pictured), Ben Tilney and Connor Furlong helped the Dons to their first home win in the Youth Alliance Merit League 1.
The hosts made four changes from the side that lost 1-0 at home to Plymouth last week with Tom Wyant, Kyran Wiltshire, Laurence Vaughan and Jack Hadden replacing Andrew McCorkell, Oran Jackson, Sam Nombe and Dominic Palmiero.
It was the Dons who broke the deadlock just three minutes in after a ball into the box found an unmarked Wiltshire, who rounded the advancing keeper before finishing into the net from close range. 1-0
Ten minutes later, Dove’s side were given a let-off after being caught out trying to pass out from inside their own box – Wyant doing well to parry away a close range shot.
On 23 minutes, the Dons had a chance to double their advantage as the ball was spread across the pitch and found Owusu on the left hand side. The attacking midfielder whipped in a cross which clipped the crossbar before bouncing favourably for Southend, who were able to clear.
Six minutes into the second half the Dons did extend their lead as good play around the box saw a ball find Vaughan inside the area. His shot was saved by the Shrimpers keeper however Tilney was the quickest to react and he finished well from close range. 2-0
Just a couple of minutes later another good opportunity came the Dons way as a ball into the box found Owusu, whose first-time strike clipped the edge of the left post before rolling away to safety.
The Dons then made the game safe on 72 minutes as they netted a third after some good build-up play. The hosts worked their way into the box before a square ball found Furlong and he hit a firm shot low into the bottom left corner. 3-0
Wyant was forced to be at his best five minutes later to prevent Southend from reducing the advantage - stretching and getting enough on an awkward deflected shot to tip it over the bar.
Speaking after the match Dons Director of Youth Mike Dove said: “I thought the boys were excellent. We continued with a lot of our younger boys playing and I said from the beginning we needed to be positive. I was really pleased with our start and thought we were bright, pushed on and got the early goal.
“I was pleased with the game - the goals were excellent and I thought we could have scored more. The boys really deserved their clean sheet as well, the score always looks better when the opponents have a zero next to their name.”
MK Dons (3-1-4-1-1): Wyant; Hunt, Tingey, Okito (c); Steele; Vaughan (Brittain 79), Wiltshire, Hadden, Tilney; Owusu (Palmiero 79); Furlong (Nombe 72).
Unused subs: McCorkell, Jackson.
Goals: Wiltshire 3, Tilney 51, Furlong 72.
The hosts made four changes from the side that lost 1-0 at home to Plymouth last week with Tom Wyant, Kyran Wiltshire, Laurence Vaughan and Jack Hadden replacing Andrew McCorkell, Oran Jackson, Sam Nombe and Dominic Palmiero.
It was the Dons who broke the deadlock just three minutes in after a ball into the box found an unmarked Wiltshire, who rounded the advancing keeper before finishing into the net from close range. 1-0
Ten minutes later, Dove’s side were given a let-off after being caught out trying to pass out from inside their own box – Wyant doing well to parry away a close range shot.
On 23 minutes, the Dons had a chance to double their advantage as the ball was spread across the pitch and found Owusu on the left hand side. The attacking midfielder whipped in a cross which clipped the crossbar before bouncing favourably for Southend, who were able to clear.
Six minutes into the second half the Dons did extend their lead as good play around the box saw a ball find Vaughan inside the area. His shot was saved by the Shrimpers keeper however Tilney was the quickest to react and he finished well from close range. 2-0
Just a couple of minutes later another good opportunity came the Dons way as a ball into the box found Owusu, whose first-time strike clipped the edge of the left post before rolling away to safety.
The Dons then made the game safe on 72 minutes as they netted a third after some good build-up play. The hosts worked their way into the box before a square ball found Furlong and he hit a firm shot low into the bottom left corner. 3-0
Wyant was forced to be at his best five minutes later to prevent Southend from reducing the advantage - stretching and getting enough on an awkward deflected shot to tip it over the bar.
Speaking after the match Dons Director of Youth Mike Dove said: “I thought the boys were excellent. We continued with a lot of our younger boys playing and I said from the beginning we needed to be positive. I was really pleased with our start and thought we were bright, pushed on and got the early goal.
“I was pleased with the game - the goals were excellent and I thought we could have scored more. The boys really deserved their clean sheet as well, the score always looks better when the opponents have a zero next to their name.”
MK Dons (3-1-4-1-1): Wyant; Hunt, Tingey, Okito (c); Steele; Vaughan (Brittain 79), Wiltshire, Hadden, Tilney; Owusu (Palmiero 79); Furlong (Nombe 72).
Unused subs: McCorkell, Jackson.
Goals: Wiltshire 3, Tilney 51, Furlong 72.
