MK Dons Under-18s made it two wins from two courtesy of a 4-3 success at Southend United on Saturday.
Jay Bird (pictured), Dylan Asonganyi, Finn Tapp and Matthew Sorinola were all on the scoresheet for the young Dons, who backed up their opening day victory over Gillingham with another impressive triumph.
Alfie Jones made an early save to keep out the hosts before Liam Sole tested the Shrimpers keeper with a left-footed effort 20-yards out.
The Dons then broke the deadlock in the 22nd-minute when Bird fired home from close-range following some good work by Asonganyi in the area.
Soon after the half-hour mark, it was 2-0 after Sole was tripped in the area after a strong run down the right – Asonganyi took the penalty and although his initial effort was saved, the first-year scholar reacted well to convert the rebound.
Hosts Southend pulled one back just a minute later courtesy of a terrific solo goal from Sewa Marah.
The Dons, though, restored their two-goal advantage in the closing stages of the first half when Tapp calmly turned home a neat back-heel from Bird, who had been found by Sole’s brilliant cross-field pass.
Eager to build on an impressive first-half display, the Dons started brightly from the re-start and just 10 minutes into the period they made it 4-1 – after being brought down in the box, left-back Sorinola picked himself to score his first goal of the season from 12-yards.
The Shrimpers, to their credit, didn’t give up on the contest and in the 68th minute they reduced the deficit through Emile Acquah’s finish.
They scored again in the first minute of stoppage time – Acquah the marksman from the penalty spot – but it didn’t trouble the result as Rubio’s team secured their second victory of the new season.
Starting XI: Jones; Ackom (Hourican-Harvey 83), Tapp (c), Hope, Sorinola; Kasumu (Wright 60), Pattison; Bell, Bird, Sole (Evans 46); Asonganyi (Martin 72).
Unused subs: None.
Goals: Bird (22), Asonganyi (32), Tapp (43), Sorinola (56 pen)
