The Under-18s ended their season on a high with a 7-2 victory over Peterborough United on Saturday.
Despite going behind after two minutes, the hosts levelled through Brandon Thomas-Asante and despite being behind again at half-time, the first-year striker completed his hat-trick after the break to restore the Dons advantage.
A brace from Sam Nombe and further goals from Oran Jackson and Tommy Hope in the second half gave Mike Dove’s side a comfortable victory.
The visitors took the lead two minutes in when a cross from the left hand side was finished at the near post – 0-1.
The Dons could have equalised midway through the first half through Kevin Owusu, as the left wing back produced a fine solo move to beat a couple of Peterborough players on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot cannoned off the crossbar.
Another chance came the hosts’ way on 27 minutes as the lively Thomas-Asante picked up the ball on the edge of the box, controlled it and hit a shot which went just wide of the left hand post.
The Dons continued to press and on 32 minutes captain Adam Hunt forced the United keeper to tip a shot from distance over the bar.
A deserved leveller finally arrived on 36 minutes for the Dons when Thomas-Asante picked up the ball, beat a couple of players and, from the edge of the box, stroked the ball home into the left corner of the net – 1-1.
Peterborough, though, retook the lead just before half-time when a through ball cut open the Dons’ defence. The ball was then passed infield, where an awaiting striker was able to finish – 1-2.
The Dons started the second half brightly and on 47 minutes could have levelled again as a deep cross from the right from Nombe was headed across goal by substitute Hope however it lacked sufficient power to trouble the keeper.
Home stopper Andrew McCorkell then had to be at his best in the 55th minute to deny the Posh number nine a hat-trick, saving a shot from inside the box with his legs.
The Dons did draw themselves level for a second time just after the hour mark as a cross from the left was headed in at the near post by Thomas-Asante – 2-2.
Thomas-Asante then completed his hat-trick three minutes later with a superb solo effort – a fierce from 25 yards out which beat the keeper and went in off the inside of the left post - 3-2.
Dove’s side continued to push for more goals and made it four in the 72nd minute as a through ball found left-back Jackson who was able to slot it home from close-range – 4-2.
Five minutes later the Dons scored their fifth as a tantalising cross from the left from substitute Andrew Osei-Bonsu went across the box and was slid towards goal by Nombe, with the ball hitting the underside of the bar before bouncing over the line – 5-2.
The hosts added a sixth soon after as a loose ball broke to Nombe, who slotted home from just inside the box – 6-2.
In stoppage time the Dons capped a fine second-half performance with another wonderful individual effort – substitute Hope controlled a ball on the volley and hit a looping effort from 20-yards out which dipped beautifully into the goal off the inside of the post – 7-2.
After the match, Dons Director of Youth Dove said: “It was a real game of two halves!
“At half-time I was frustrated because I said before the game that we knew how they would play. There was a lack of communication and a bit of laziness from some players.
“For 20 minutes we let our boys get on with it and decided to see if they could figure out what was wrong for themselves. We went out in the second half and responded well.
"We kept going and wanted more goals which, in the past, we haven't always done. The goals were good and we were very creative in our play. I was pleased that the two front players got five goals between them and Oran and Tommy scored as well."
He continued: “It was a really good end to the season. The second years have been outstanding this week in their attitude and their application and those boys will go a long way in life – I am very proud of them.”
Starting XI (3-4-1-2): McCorkell; Kioso (Palmiero 80), Omar, Jackson; Nombe, Hadden, Hunt (c), Owusu; Furlong (Osei-Bonsu 76); Logan (Hope 45), Thomas-Asante.
Unused subs: Pickworth (GK), Bell.
Goals: Thomas-Asante (35) (63) (66) Jackson (74) Nombe (77) (83) Hope (90+2)
Pictures taken by Stewart Wright
A brace from Sam Nombe and further goals from Oran Jackson and Tommy Hope in the second half gave Mike Dove’s side a comfortable victory.
The visitors took the lead two minutes in when a cross from the left hand side was finished at the near post – 0-1.
The Dons could have equalised midway through the first half through Kevin Owusu, as the left wing back produced a fine solo move to beat a couple of Peterborough players on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot cannoned off the crossbar.
Another chance came the hosts’ way on 27 minutes as the lively Thomas-Asante picked up the ball on the edge of the box, controlled it and hit a shot which went just wide of the left hand post.
The Dons continued to press and on 32 minutes captain Adam Hunt forced the United keeper to tip a shot from distance over the bar.
A deserved leveller finally arrived on 36 minutes for the Dons when Thomas-Asante picked up the ball, beat a couple of players and, from the edge of the box, stroked the ball home into the left corner of the net – 1-1.
Peterborough, though, retook the lead just before half-time when a through ball cut open the Dons’ defence. The ball was then passed infield, where an awaiting striker was able to finish – 1-2.
The Dons started the second half brightly and on 47 minutes could have levelled again as a deep cross from the right from Nombe was headed across goal by substitute Hope however it lacked sufficient power to trouble the keeper.
Home stopper Andrew McCorkell then had to be at his best in the 55th minute to deny the Posh number nine a hat-trick, saving a shot from inside the box with his legs.
The Dons did draw themselves level for a second time just after the hour mark as a cross from the left was headed in at the near post by Thomas-Asante – 2-2.
Thomas-Asante then completed his hat-trick three minutes later with a superb solo effort – a fierce from 25 yards out which beat the keeper and went in off the inside of the left post - 3-2.
Dove’s side continued to push for more goals and made it four in the 72nd minute as a through ball found left-back Jackson who was able to slot it home from close-range – 4-2.
Five minutes later the Dons scored their fifth as a tantalising cross from the left from substitute Andrew Osei-Bonsu went across the box and was slid towards goal by Nombe, with the ball hitting the underside of the bar before bouncing over the line – 5-2.
The hosts added a sixth soon after as a loose ball broke to Nombe, who slotted home from just inside the box – 6-2.
In stoppage time the Dons capped a fine second-half performance with another wonderful individual effort – substitute Hope controlled a ball on the volley and hit a looping effort from 20-yards out which dipped beautifully into the goal off the inside of the post – 7-2.
After the match, Dons Director of Youth Dove said: “It was a real game of two halves!
“At half-time I was frustrated because I said before the game that we knew how they would play. There was a lack of communication and a bit of laziness from some players.
“For 20 minutes we let our boys get on with it and decided to see if they could figure out what was wrong for themselves. We went out in the second half and responded well.
"We kept going and wanted more goals which, in the past, we haven't always done. The goals were good and we were very creative in our play. I was pleased that the two front players got five goals between them and Oran and Tommy scored as well."
He continued: “It was a really good end to the season. The second years have been outstanding this week in their attitude and their application and those boys will go a long way in life – I am very proud of them.”
Starting XI (3-4-1-2): McCorkell; Kioso (Palmiero 80), Omar, Jackson; Nombe, Hadden, Hunt (c), Owusu; Furlong (Osei-Bonsu 76); Logan (Hope 45), Thomas-Asante.
Unused subs: Pickworth (GK), Bell.
Goals: Thomas-Asante (35) (63) (66) Jackson (74) Nombe (77) (83) Hope (90+2)
Pictures taken by Stewart Wright
