MK Dons Under-18s returned to winning ways in the Youth Alliance League with a 4-2 victory over Northampton Town at Woughton-on-the-Green.
A brace from Dylan Asonganyi plus further strikes from Liam Sole and Recoe Martin helped the Dons to an impressive come-from-behind win on a bitterly cold day.
The Cobblers took the lead nine minutes in when a free-kick was curled into the top right hand corner from around 30 yards out – 0-1.
The Dons levelled nine minutes later when left-winger Sole cut inside and hit a right footed shot from the edge of the area which was misjudged by the Northampton keeper and bounced over him as he dived low to his left – 1-1.
Another strike from range helped the Dons take the lead on 32 minutes as Asonganyi’s 25-yard left-footed effort beat the keeper at his near post – 2-1.
The Dons took the advantage into a shortened half-time break and could have extended it just moments after the restart when a 25-yard shot from a Dons player clattered the crossbar with the Cobblers keeper beaten.
The crucial passage of play came in the 56th minute as first the Dons were given a big let-off. Goalkeeper Nathan Pickworth could only parry a stinging shot from range and the rebound came to a Northampton player who blazed over from close range when he should have levelled.
The Dons made Northampton pay for that miss as they extended their lead a minute later when the ball was slid through to Asonganyi who from the right side of the box hit a low shot into the bottom left hand corner to make it 3-1.
A more composed finish would have sealed victory for the Dons however Sole could only blaze over the bar after he was put through on goal in the 62nd minute.
Victory was sealed with 10 minutes remaining when sub Martin hit a low left-footed shot into the right corner from the edge of the penalty area to make it 4-1.
The Dons survived a set piece scare on 84 minutes as a corner from the right came to a Northampton player at the back post, with his half-volley cannoning off the left hand upright before the Dons got the ball away to safety.
A minute later the Dons had a great double chance to make it five with sub Martin initially denied in a one-on-one situation by the keeper. The rebound came out at the feet of Sole however he could only put the ball into the side netting.
The Cobblers were awarded a penalty with two minutes remaining for a foul inside the box. Dons keeper Pickworth did well to tip the penalty from the visitors number nine on to the post however the rebound was slammed home from close range to make it 4-2.
An impressive performance from the Dons as they bounced back from a difficult previous game and conceding an early goal to run out impressive winners against their opponents from Northamptonshire.
Speaking after the match, Senior Phase Development Coach Edu Rubio said: “I thought the boys were exceptional today. We only conceded through a silly free-kick and a late penalty but the rest of the performance was faultless.
“We deserved a more comfortable scoreline but everyone was on the ball today and had a good game especially after last week’s defeat.
“I thought Finn Tapp led the side exceptionally well and played very well in the first half. Jay [Bird], Dylan [Asonganyi], Liam [Sole] and Tommy [Hope] all had very good games as well.”
He added: “The target for the next match is to keep our momentum going and continue improving on a daily basis – firstly on the training ground and then during our next match. This year’s two big targets are daily improvements and happiness!”
Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Pickworth: Ackom (Hourican-Harvey 72), Tapp (capt, Sule 83), Hope, Sorinola (Martin 72): Kasumu, Wright: Evans, Bird (Freeman 86), Sole: Asonganyi.
Unused subs: Jones.
Goals: Sole (18), Asonganyi (32, 57), Martin (80)
