Milton Keynes Dons Under-18s scored three second-half goals as they came from behind to beat Northampton Town at Woughton-on-the-Green in the Youth Alliance League on Saturday morning.
The Dons were trailing 2-0 at the break but a brace from Callum Brittain and a late winner from Connor Furlong helped them to a hard-earned victory against the Cobblers.
In a match played in wet conditions throughout, the hosts had the first chance just two minutes in after good play down the left from Brittain led to a cross into the box which Sam Nombe hit just wide on the half-volley.
The visitors began to dominate thereafter and on five minutes Dons keeper Andrew McCorkell was forced to make a double save inside the box after the Cobblers got in behind the hosts' defence.
It proved only a temporary reprieve as a couple of minutes later the visitors number nine found himself in space inside the area, where he was able to hit a low shot into the left corner of the net to make it 1-0 to Northampton.
After a 15-minute spell in which they were dominated, the Dons did create another good chance in the 20th minute when Andrew Osei-Bonsu got into the penalty area, however in a one-on-one situation the keeper was able to save his shot at close range.
The visitors were largely controlling the game and could have extended their lead from a corner in the 33rd minute. After Dons keeper McCorkell mistimed his punch from the initial corner, a visiting player hit a shot from just outside the area which struck the crossbar before bouncing away to safety as the hosts were given another let-off.
The Cobblers doubled their lead two minutes before the break when a yellow shirt was able to run into the right hand side of the box before drilling the ball across the area where it was tapped in from a couple of yards out to make it 2-0 to the away side.
In first-half stoppage time the Dons had a great chance to get back into the match when they were awarded a penalty for a foul tackle, however captain Adam Hunt had his penalty down the middle saved as the Northampton keeper was able to catch the ball without having to move.
Early in the second half, the hosts successfully reduced their arrears when Brittain hit a first-time right-footed shot from around 20 yards out which nestled into the bottom right hand corner to make it 1-2.
The Dons were having their most dominant spell of the game and had a great chance on 65 minutes when Furlong turned on the edge of the box before unleashing a shot which hit the left-hand post before rolling agonisingly across goal in front of the line before it was cleared to safety.
After a lot of pressing, the hosts found an equaliser on 78 minutes after Jack Hadden had an effort parried by the keeper. The fell to Brittain just a couple of yards out and he managed to force the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble to make it 2-2.
The turnaround was complete for the Dons with five minutes to go as Furlong finished impressively into the left corner after finding himself in space inside the box to make it 3-2.
A battling performance from the Dons who showed great spirit and persistence to turn around a two goal deficit and secure a victory which they deservedly celebrated at the final whistle.
After the match, Dons Director of Youth Mike Dove said: “I was pleased with the start today because we created some good moments going forward but like last week we didn’t capitalise on it.
“We had a penalty which unfortunately Adam put straight at the keeper. What concerned me was that with the goals that were conceded we pulled out of challenges.
“The boys just needed to have a bit more about them because Northampton were dictating the game to us. I was pleased with the reaction and how we went about our business in the second half. It was annoying that we got ourselves into the position of having to produce a late winner in the first place.”
MK Dons (3-diamond-3): McCorkell: Kioso, Jackson, Omar: Furlong, Osei-Bonsu (Tapp 88), Hadden, Hunt (capt): Thomas-Asante (Owusu 64), Brittain, Nombe.
Subs not used: Wyant, Evans, Kasumu.
Goals: Brittain 48, 78, Furlong 85.
Referee: Alan Cresswell.
In a match played in wet conditions throughout, the hosts had the first chance just two minutes in after good play down the left from Brittain led to a cross into the box which Sam Nombe hit just wide on the half-volley.
The visitors began to dominate thereafter and on five minutes Dons keeper Andrew McCorkell was forced to make a double save inside the box after the Cobblers got in behind the hosts' defence.
It proved only a temporary reprieve as a couple of minutes later the visitors number nine found himself in space inside the area, where he was able to hit a low shot into the left corner of the net to make it 1-0 to Northampton.
After a 15-minute spell in which they were dominated, the Dons did create another good chance in the 20th minute when Andrew Osei-Bonsu got into the penalty area, however in a one-on-one situation the keeper was able to save his shot at close range.
The visitors were largely controlling the game and could have extended their lead from a corner in the 33rd minute. After Dons keeper McCorkell mistimed his punch from the initial corner, a visiting player hit a shot from just outside the area which struck the crossbar before bouncing away to safety as the hosts were given another let-off.
The Cobblers doubled their lead two minutes before the break when a yellow shirt was able to run into the right hand side of the box before drilling the ball across the area where it was tapped in from a couple of yards out to make it 2-0 to the away side.
In first-half stoppage time the Dons had a great chance to get back into the match when they were awarded a penalty for a foul tackle, however captain Adam Hunt had his penalty down the middle saved as the Northampton keeper was able to catch the ball without having to move.
Early in the second half, the hosts successfully reduced their arrears when Brittain hit a first-time right-footed shot from around 20 yards out which nestled into the bottom right hand corner to make it 1-2.
The Dons were having their most dominant spell of the game and had a great chance on 65 minutes when Furlong turned on the edge of the box before unleashing a shot which hit the left-hand post before rolling agonisingly across goal in front of the line before it was cleared to safety.
After a lot of pressing, the hosts found an equaliser on 78 minutes after Jack Hadden had an effort parried by the keeper. The fell to Brittain just a couple of yards out and he managed to force the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble to make it 2-2.
The turnaround was complete for the Dons with five minutes to go as Furlong finished impressively into the left corner after finding himself in space inside the box to make it 3-2.
A battling performance from the Dons who showed great spirit and persistence to turn around a two goal deficit and secure a victory which they deservedly celebrated at the final whistle.
After the match, Dons Director of Youth Mike Dove said: “I was pleased with the start today because we created some good moments going forward but like last week we didn’t capitalise on it.
“We had a penalty which unfortunately Adam put straight at the keeper. What concerned me was that with the goals that were conceded we pulled out of challenges.
“The boys just needed to have a bit more about them because Northampton were dictating the game to us. I was pleased with the reaction and how we went about our business in the second half. It was annoying that we got ourselves into the position of having to produce a late winner in the first place.”
MK Dons (3-diamond-3): McCorkell: Kioso, Jackson, Omar: Furlong, Osei-Bonsu (Tapp 88), Hadden, Hunt (capt): Thomas-Asante (Owusu 64), Brittain, Nombe.
Subs not used: Wyant, Evans, Kasumu.
Goals: Brittain 48, 78, Furlong 85.
Referee: Alan Cresswell.
