John Bitting’s boys return to winning ways within the EFL Youth Alliance League, after beating Leyton Orient 3-1 away from home.
MK Dons Under-18s have failed to grab three points since late September. It has been a prolonged period of time since their last league victory due to their previous shortcomings against Gillingham, as well as the cup fixtures that were played throughout October.
John Bitting and his team have gathered 15 points from just eight games, prior to the Leyton Orient clash.
First-Half
The Dons took an early lead within the fixture through Edwin Daffern, who had recently ensured first-round FA Cup success with an outrageous goal from the half-way line.
Within the first few minutes, the number ten stood strong and negated the oncoming pressure, which allowed him to calmly slot Callum Tripp’s ball into the box past the keeper. 0-1
15 minutes had passed since the break of the deadlock, but the action before the interval didn’t stop there.
MK Dons were awarded a corner, which they used to good effect. Joel Anker stood over the set-piece and fired a ball into a dangerous area. Jacob Anderson used his speed and power to burst through the O’s defence before he connected with the ball and found the back of the net. 0-2
John Bitting’s boys had control within the first stages of the game, although a lapse in concentration allowed the hosts a fast break, which caught the young Dons off guard as they conceded moments before the half. 1-2
Second-Half
The opposition looked to gain momentum from halving their deficit before the break, but the travelling side responded well to the trouble caused.
Much like the opening stages of the first 45 minutes, MK Dons had used a strong start to their advantage.
Tripp, who assisted the opener, placed himself on the scoresheet within his tenth start for the Under-18s this season.
The number eight used his tenacity to shrug off the defender, who attempted to stop him forcefully. This gave the midfielder enough space to craft a shot, which was initially saved, but Tripp made no mistake as he pounced on the rebound to restore the two-goal lead in the 50 minute. 1-3
John Bitting’s boys worked together as a unit to withstand Leyton Orient’s efforts to get back into the match, this later rewarded the young Dons with a 3-1 victory on the road.
Three points from this clash allowed MK Dons to return within the top three of the EFL Youth Alliance Southern Group C table, one point behind their opponents above.
***
MK Dons: Krasniqi, Wood, Boyce (Lucas 65), Anderson, Mann, Waller, Bombo (Blennerhassett 75), Tripp, Anker, Daffern (Troso 65), Pickering (Olaleye 65)
Subs: Adepoju
Goals: Daffern 2, Anderson 18, Tripp 50