MK Dons Under-18s booked their place in the third round of the Youth Alliance Cup on Tuesday evening with a 3-1 win over Northampton Town.
First-half strikes from Giorgio Rasulo (pictured) and Ben Tilney along with a stoppage-time Kyran Wiltshire goal proved to be enough for Mike Dove’s side, who could have scored more against their nearby neighbours in a convincing display.
The Dons came into the game without a win in their last three matches, but they started brightly and took an early advantage courtesy of Rasulo, who the back of net from inside the box with help from a deflection.
On 17 minutes, Scotland Under-16 international Connor Furlong had a shot comfortably saved before the winger was denied a second time after latching onto Hugo Logan’s well-placed pass.
However, the Dons were able to double their advantage before half-time, when Tilney met Laurence Vaughan’s cross on 40 minutes and slotted home first-time.
Wiltshire had a chance to make it 3-0 with the final kick of the first period but his shot flew over the crossbar. Soon after the restart, Furlong was sent through on goal but the winger couldn’t find a way past the Cobblers stopper.
Then, despite spending the majority of the game on the back foot, Northampton pulled a goal back in the 51st minute when the ball was forced past Andrew McCorkell after a scramble inside the Dons box.
Dove’s youngsters, though, were able to hold off the Cobblers for the remainder of the second half before sealing the victory in stoppage time through Wiltshire’s close-range finish.
The Dons will play AFC Wimbledon in the third round on Tuesday 21st October, kick-off 2pm.
Starting XI (3-4-2-1): McCorkell; Brittain (Daffern 69), Hunt, Okito; Vaughan, Wiltshire, Weston, Tilney; Furlong (Owusu 62), Logan (Hadden 73); Rasulo.
Subs: Wyant (GK), Jackson.
The Dons came into the game without a win in their last three matches, but they started brightly and took an early advantage courtesy of Rasulo, who the back of net from inside the box with help from a deflection.
On 17 minutes, Scotland Under-16 international Connor Furlong had a shot comfortably saved before the winger was denied a second time after latching onto Hugo Logan’s well-placed pass.
However, the Dons were able to double their advantage before half-time, when Tilney met Laurence Vaughan’s cross on 40 minutes and slotted home first-time.
Wiltshire had a chance to make it 3-0 with the final kick of the first period but his shot flew over the crossbar. Soon after the restart, Furlong was sent through on goal but the winger couldn’t find a way past the Cobblers stopper.
Then, despite spending the majority of the game on the back foot, Northampton pulled a goal back in the 51st minute when the ball was forced past Andrew McCorkell after a scramble inside the Dons box.
Dove’s youngsters, though, were able to hold off the Cobblers for the remainder of the second half before sealing the victory in stoppage time through Wiltshire’s close-range finish.
The Dons will play AFC Wimbledon in the third round on Tuesday 21st October, kick-off 2pm.
Starting XI (3-4-2-1): McCorkell; Brittain (Daffern 69), Hunt, Okito; Vaughan, Wiltshire, Weston, Tilney; Furlong (Owusu 62), Logan (Hadden 73); Rasulo.
Subs: Wyant (GK), Jackson.
