MK DONS U18 0 WEST HAM UTD U18 4

Mike Dove's under-18 side succumbed to a heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of West Ham United at Woughton on the Green on Saturday.

The result was somewhat harsh on the home side who fought well and matched their opponents for large parts of the game, two goals from Daniel Subuola and one each for Dylan Tombides and Dominic Vose sealed the victory for the Hammers though.

The Dons started the match brightly and Ryan Plowright could have opened the scoring after just three minutes when some skilful play from Igor Coronado set him free down the left. He was unable to find the net however as he dragged his shot past the far post.

Plowright was involved again in what was an impressive start for him as he combined well with left-back Ben Walster, the latter playing in a low cross towards Coronado who was inches away from diverting it towards goal.

West Ham showed signs of an attacking threat when Tombides should have done better with a low cross from the left, but for the most part the Dons looked comfortable in possession and combative in midfield with George Baldock, who was called up to the first-team squad for the local derby against Wycombe Wanderers later that day, dictating the play well.

Neither side was able to fashion any guilt edge chances for the remainder of the half, though Walster did came close with a well-struck drive from 25-yards on the half hour mark and Tombides was denied by Dons 'keeper Louis Bragg from close range.

The second period was a more lively affair with the Dons attacking from the off. Some more good forward play from Coronado allowed Stefan Powell to steal a march on the Hammers defence and round Mehmet. He looked to have been caught though as he was unable to maintain his balance fully to convert the ball into an empty net, the referee waved away any protests though and awarded a goal-kick.

Mike Dove was disappointed with the eight-minute second-half spell that cost his side the game.

Moments later the Dons found themselves behind when George Moncur raced clear of the Dons backline and crossed low for Subuola to tap-in from close range past Bragg.

The lead was doubled almost straight from kick-off when Moncur again found space on the left to drag the ball back to Subuola on the edge of the box, the striker placed a neat finish into the bottom left-hand corner as the visitors began to look dominant.

Coronado threatened to help the Dons claw their way back into the game with a brilliantly struck free-kick from long range which Mehmet did well to turn round the post for a corner. But the result was seemingly put beyond doubt when the Hammers added a third goal in eight minutes.

Tombides made no mistake this time when slipped through down the right, his well-placed effort nestled in the bottom corner with Bragg helpless to prevent it.

The rest of the half proved an up-hill struggle for the home side as the Hammers continued to play with confidence. This was best summed-up by their fourth goal.

Dominic Vose showed a moment of excellence when he collected the ball on the left hand side 20 yards out, he dropped a shoulder to cut inside Jordan Brown and curled a spectacular shot into the far top corner on 78 minutes.

Vose soon went from hero to villain for the away side though as he clashed with Dons skipper Harry Milton three minutes after his superb goal. In what was a seemingly innocuous challenge between the two the linesman spotted Vose spitting in Milton's direction and the player was promptly red carded.

It was the last meaningful action of the game though despite the efforts of the home side and but Dove was encouraged by the promise his new-look side showed.

"This was pretty much our team for next year now and they showed a good attitude and application. I was pleased with the first-half, we looked organised and created chances but that was our minimum level and I wanted us to maintain that after half-time. It was our end product though which let us down again."

Dove felt his side should have had a penalty in the opening moments of the second half when Powell looked to have been caught by Mehmet when through on goal but conceded the side lost their organisation soon after:

"I feel we should have had a penalty and had the referee given that it may have changed our mentality for the rest of the game. But we lost our organisation and I was disappointed with the eight minute spell in which we conceded three goals."

MK Dons: Bragg, Browne, Walster, G. Baldock, Milton, Ivey-Ward, S. Powell, McGovern, Carter (A. Ahmed 70), Coronado, Plowright.

Subs not used: Goode, F. Ahmed, Gyasi, Lobjoit.