MK Dons Under-18s returned to winning ways as a hat-trick from Mo Ahmed helped Mike Dove’s side to a convincing 6-1 win over Portsmouth at Woughton-on-the-Green.
Ahmed’s three goals, plus further strikes from Will Summerfield, Brendan Galloway and Dele Alli ended a run of three successive defeats for the Dons, who made just one change from the side that lost narrowly at Southend United in midweek, with Kyran Wiltshire replacing Ben Tilney in midfield.
The hosts got off to the perfect start as they took the lead with just over a minute played. The move started with good play down the right from captain Mason Spence, who was once again deployed in an attacking midfield role. His square ball found Ahmed, who finished low into the left hand corner of the net from inside the box.
The early goal allowed the Dons to settle, and with play tending to occur in the midfield area both sides were restricted to long range efforts inside the first quarter of the game.
The Dons then took a firm grip on the match in the 20th minute as they doubled their lead. Following more good build-up down the right side, with Spence involved once again, the visiting keeper was forced into action but he could only parry the ball to Ahmed who finished from close range to make it 2-0.
Despite doubling their advantage, the Dons were reminded they could not afford to rest on their laurels, as the visitors had their best chance on 26 minutes, when a shot from Ben Close from inside the area cannoned back off the right hand post.
Things got even better for the Dons five minutes before half-time after more good play down the right side from Spence forced the visitors keeper into action, with Summerfield on hand this time to finish the loose ball and make it 3-0.
The second half continued in a similar vein with the hosts continuing to pose problems with their quick, fluent passing and high tempo style of play. Another great chance came their way just after the hour mark when a cross into the area found Dele Alli, whose goal bound effort was blocked on the line.
Moments later the Dons put the game to bed as they extended their lead courtesy of a superb solo goal from defender Galloway, who ran unchallenged into the Portsmouth box before finding the net with an effort that went in off the post to make it 4-0.
The Dons were beginning to create chances with great regularity and hit the woodwork again three minutes later. A bouncing ball inside the box was diverted towards goal by Summerfield, however his effort clipped the left hand post before rebounding to safety.
The Dons heaped further misery on their opponents on 73 minutes as visiting keeper Luke Colquhoun conceded a penalty when he bought down Alli inside the box.
Although Alli was keen to take the resulting spot-kick, Ahmed sensed the opportunity to complete his hat-trick, took charge of the situation and confidently buried the penalty low into the left hand corner to make it 5-0.
The visitors then managed a consolation goal with five minutes of the match remaining as the Dons were made to pay for losing their concentration inside their own box. Substitute Lewis Gill got one back for the Hampshire side as the Dons let slip a chance of a rare clean sheet.
The Dons were continue to impress in the final third and good interplay between substitutes Remy Forrester and Jacob Daffern led to a through ball finding Osei-Addo inside the area with three minutes to go. He then shot across goal from a tight angle forcing a Pompey player to clear from in front of his own goal-line.
The hosts then rounded off the rout in added time as another ball into the area was finished in scrappy fashion by Alli to make it 6-1.
Overall, a thoroughly impressive performance from the Dons, who outplayed their opponents throughout and were full value for their comprehensive win.
Director of Youth Dove said after the game: “The scoreline was obviously great but most importantly we corrected some things that had gone wrong in previous games.
“The best thing we achieved was that when we lost the ball in transition we had our security, we recovered and we worked hard. I would like to single out Charlie in goal and also Kelvin for his work-rate, but it was a real collective effort from the boys and overall I was very pleased.”
Midfielder Mo Ahmed added: “We have been trying to put a performance like this together for a few games now so it was great that it came off for us today. Hopefully it is something we can build on in our remaining matches this season.
“Personally, I was very happy that I scored three goals today. When we won the penalty I asked Dele if I could have the ball because I wanted to get my hat-trick so I’m glad I scored it!”
MK Dons (4-2-1-3): Burns: Grant, Galloway, Hickford, Osae (Forrester 45): Alli, Wiltshire (Daffern 78): Spence (capt): Ahmed, Summerfield (Weston 66), Osei-Addo.
Subs not used: Taylor, Tingey.
Goals: Ahmed 1, 20, 73 pen, Summerfield 49, Galloway 63, Alli 90
