MK Dons Under-18s ended the first part of their Youth Alliance League campaign in style as they came from behind to beat Barnet 6-1 at Woughton-on-the-Green.
The Bees took an early lead from the penalty spot before a brace from Jay Bird, along with further goals from Dylan Asonganyi, Jenson Wright, Recoe Martin and James Holmes, helped the Dons to a comprehensive win.
The hosts had a double chance in the opening minutes after good play down the right led to a cross into Bird whose shot hit the right hand post. The rebound came out as far as Finn Brennan whose follow-up effort found the side netting after clipping off the outside of the woodwork.
Barnet almost took the lead in the fifth minute from a set piece as a free-kick struck the crossbar before being cleared away to safety.
The Dons struck the woodwork again in the 16th minute following a good driving run into the left hand side of the area by Martin. As Martin was forced increasingly wide he hit a low shot from an acute angle which clipped the post before the ball came across in front of goal where it was put over his own bar by a Bees defender.
Two minutes later, the Londoners were awarded a penalty following a three-way collision inside the box involving the Dons keeper and a defender. Rhamar Garrett-Douglas’ penalty went in off the underside of the bar, making it 1-0 to Barnet.
The Dons levelled just after the half hour mark from a rebounded shot after a driving run into the penalty area saw the Barnet keeper block an effort. The rebound came out to Dons number ten Bird who powered in the loose ball from close range to make it 1-1.
Five minutes later, the Dons went in front with the goal of the game as Asonganyi hit a half-volley from 30 yards out which dipped and moved in the air before finding the goal to make it 2-1.
The Dons' scoring spree continued straight from the kick-off after Bird was allowed to drive into the area unchallenged before calmly finishing low into the net to make it 3-1.
The hosts continued to create chances in the second half and extended their lead in the 53rd minute as Asonganyi showed a good change of pace as he ran into the box beating two players in the process. His square ball found Wright who finished from close range to make it 4-1 to the Dons and seal the game.
Bird had a chance to complete his hat-trick just before the hour mark but failed to hit the target however it was only temporary respite for Barnet as the Dons hit their fifth a couple of minutes later.
Dons number nine Martin showed good strength and tenacity to hold off a Bees defender and fire into the net from inside the box to make it five. 5-1.
The hosts completed the scoring in direct style two minutes from time as Alfie Jones goal kick bounced near to the Barnet area. Sub Holmes ran on to the loose ball and from just inside the area lobbed the advancing Bees keeper to hit six for the Dons. 6-1.
It was a resounding win for the home side against a disjointed outfit and after the match Dons director of academy coaching Edu Rubio said his side could easily have scored double figures.
Edu said: “I am very pleased and happy with the team. Overall it has been a very solid performance and one we can build on in the second half of the season.
"The most pleasing thing was despite going in 3-1 having dominated and knowing we were likely to win, we did not ease off in the second half.
“There were some well taken goals today – we scored six but on another day we could easily have had double figures.
He continued: "We finished this part of the campaign with four consecutive wins so I would say the second half of this league campaign has been very positive.
“We have a couple of weekends off now and then we will be ready for the second part of the league season where we will continue to try to learn and develop both as individuals and as a team.”
Starting XI: Jones, Sule, Leach, Ackom, Hourican-Harvey, Wright, Asonganyi (Davies 71), Sorinola (Robinson 77), Martin, Bird (Holmes 61), Brennan.
Subs not used: Rose, Dale.
Goals: Bird 32, 38, Asonganyi 37, Wright 53, Martin 60, Holmes 88