The Under-18s travel to Oldham Athletic’s SportsDirect.com Park tonight for the Youth Alliance Cup national final – kick-off 7pm.
Mike Dove’s side face the Latics for the right to be crowned champion after both teams won their respective area finals earlier this month – in the southern section, the Dons defeated Cheltenham Town 2-1 at stadiummk while Oldham saw off Wigan Athletic 3-1 in the north.
This will be the first final a Dons youth side has ever competed in and it caps off a brilliant season for the boys from MK1, who also finished second in their Youth Alliance League campaign and reached the third round of the FA Youth Cup.
Two players who have played an important role in the Under-18s’ success this year are Kabongo Tshimanga and Giorgio Rasulo, who between them have netted close to 60 goals – both players have recently been out on loan but are fit and available for selection.
The opposition
As well as their Youth Alliance Cup success this season, Oldham also secured a top-half finish in the North West section of the Youth Alliance League.
One player to watch for the Latics is striker Devante Jacobs, whose form for the Under-18s has earned him two appearances for the first-team. He also scored the first of three goals in Oldham’s victory over Wigan in the northern final.
Path to the final
The Dons began their Youth Alliance Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Northampton Town back in August, before beating AFC Wimbledon in the next round 4-1.
That triumph set up a southern semi final against Stevenage, which Dove’s side won on penalties. They then beat Cheltenham in the southern final at stadiummk thanks to goals from Ben Tilney and Kabongo Tshimanga.
Oldham, meanwhile, kicked things off with a 2-1 win at Shrewsbury Town and then a victory over Accrington Stanley by the same scoreline.
Those two successes set up their recent northern final against Wigan Athletic, who they beat 3-1.
Stay in touch
Entry on the night is priced at £4 for adults and £2 concessions for fans wishing to make the trip up to Greater Manchester.
If not, supporters can follow all the action via the matchday blog which will be live on mkdons.com from 5pm.
A full report, along with reaction, will follow on mkdons.com after the final whistle.
This will be the first final a Dons youth side has ever competed in and it caps off a brilliant season for the boys from MK1, who also finished second in their Youth Alliance League campaign and reached the third round of the FA Youth Cup.
Two players who have played an important role in the Under-18s’ success this year are Kabongo Tshimanga and Giorgio Rasulo, who between them have netted close to 60 goals – both players have recently been out on loan but are fit and available for selection.
The opposition
As well as their Youth Alliance Cup success this season, Oldham also secured a top-half finish in the North West section of the Youth Alliance League.
One player to watch for the Latics is striker Devante Jacobs, whose form for the Under-18s has earned him two appearances for the first-team. He also scored the first of three goals in Oldham’s victory over Wigan in the northern final.
Path to the final
The Dons began their Youth Alliance Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Northampton Town back in August, before beating AFC Wimbledon in the next round 4-1.
That triumph set up a southern semi final against Stevenage, which Dove’s side won on penalties. They then beat Cheltenham in the southern final at stadiummk thanks to goals from Ben Tilney and Kabongo Tshimanga.
Oldham, meanwhile, kicked things off with a 2-1 win at Shrewsbury Town and then a victory over Accrington Stanley by the same scoreline.
Those two successes set up their recent northern final against Wigan Athletic, who they beat 3-1.
Stay in touch
Entry on the night is priced at £4 for adults and £2 concessions for fans wishing to make the trip up to Greater Manchester.
If not, supporters can follow all the action via the matchday blog which will be live on mkdons.com from 5pm.
A full report, along with reaction, will follow on mkdons.com after the final whistle.
