The Dons ran out 3-2 winners over Luton Town in an entertaining behind-closed-doors Final Third Development Cup game at stadiummk on Tuesday.
All three goals, scored by Tom Hitchcock, Rob Hall and Kabongo Tshimanga, were of real quality, while Samir Carruthers and Daniel Powell also got 80 and 90 minutes under their belts respectively.
After an even opening 10 minutes, the Dons began to impose themselves and only a last-ditch challenge from Dan Potts denied Tshimanga following a quick break involving Carruthers and Hall.
Carruthers himself saw a curling 20-yard effort saved by Craig King and one well blocked either side of a first chance for the visitors – a James Justin shot which flew well wide.
A fantastic move, starting from Charlie Burns and involving Hall and Callum Brittain, won a corner for the Dons who, despite not threatening from that set-piece, were enjoying the majority of the possession and territorial advantage.
Ten minutes before the break, Powell pounced and won back possession before feeding Hall, who shifted the ball on his favoured left but curled his effort wide of the left-hand post from a tight angle.
However, it was the Hatters who came the closest to scoring when Curtley Williams powered a header against the post from a corner with just over five minutes to go of the first half.
The Dons started the second half quickly and won a free-kick within the first 20 seconds which proved crucial. Hall whipped in a dangerous ball from the subsequent set-piece and Hitchcock got up highest to glance a clinical header past King from 12 yards.
It was 2-0 shortly afterwards as Hall turned from provider to scorer, curling home a fine 20-yard finish after receiving the ball from Mark Randall and cutting in from the right.
Tshimanga extended the Dons’ lead with just over 25 minutes remaining, expertly chipping the ball over King following a clever interchange with fellow forward Hitchcock.
After a nice touch from Hitchcock, Hall flashed an effort across the face the goal and just past the far post as the men from MK1 threatened a fourth.
Instead, Luton pulled one back through substitute Frankie Musunda, who directed a powerful effort home from a right-wing corner midway through the half.
Carruthers and Hall’s work was done on 80 minutes and they were replaced by Jack Hadden and Conor Furlong as Keith Andrews gave more opportunities to members of the U18s.
The Hatters scored again late on through a fine Zane Banton finish to make things interesting but the Dons comfortably held on for a deserved win.
MK Dons: Burns; Brittain, Hickford, Hunt, Kioso; Randall, Carruthers (c) (Hadden 80); Tshimanga, Hall (Furlong 80), Powell; Hitchcock.
Unused subs: McCorkell, Steele, Osei-Bonus.
After an even opening 10 minutes, the Dons began to impose themselves and only a last-ditch challenge from Dan Potts denied Tshimanga following a quick break involving Carruthers and Hall.
Carruthers himself saw a curling 20-yard effort saved by Craig King and one well blocked either side of a first chance for the visitors – a James Justin shot which flew well wide.
A fantastic move, starting from Charlie Burns and involving Hall and Callum Brittain, won a corner for the Dons who, despite not threatening from that set-piece, were enjoying the majority of the possession and territorial advantage.
Ten minutes before the break, Powell pounced and won back possession before feeding Hall, who shifted the ball on his favoured left but curled his effort wide of the left-hand post from a tight angle.
However, it was the Hatters who came the closest to scoring when Curtley Williams powered a header against the post from a corner with just over five minutes to go of the first half.
The Dons started the second half quickly and won a free-kick within the first 20 seconds which proved crucial. Hall whipped in a dangerous ball from the subsequent set-piece and Hitchcock got up highest to glance a clinical header past King from 12 yards.
It was 2-0 shortly afterwards as Hall turned from provider to scorer, curling home a fine 20-yard finish after receiving the ball from Mark Randall and cutting in from the right.
Tshimanga extended the Dons’ lead with just over 25 minutes remaining, expertly chipping the ball over King following a clever interchange with fellow forward Hitchcock.
After a nice touch from Hitchcock, Hall flashed an effort across the face the goal and just past the far post as the men from MK1 threatened a fourth.
Instead, Luton pulled one back through substitute Frankie Musunda, who directed a powerful effort home from a right-wing corner midway through the half.
Carruthers and Hall’s work was done on 80 minutes and they were replaced by Jack Hadden and Conor Furlong as Keith Andrews gave more opportunities to members of the U18s.
The Hatters scored again late on through a fine Zane Banton finish to make things interesting but the Dons comfortably held on for a deserved win.
MK Dons: Burns; Brittain, Hickford, Hunt, Kioso; Randall, Carruthers (c) (Hadden 80); Tshimanga, Hall (Furlong 80), Powell; Hitchcock.
Unused subs: McCorkell, Steele, Osei-Bonus.
