MK Dons started their FA Youth Cup exploits with a 5-0 win over London Lions at Stadium MK.
Joel Anker was the star of the show netting a hat-trick as MK Dons Under-18s progressed into the Second Round of the FA Youth Cup.
Brooklyn Ilunga and Lewis Johnson were handed a start for John Bitting’s side, while Ronnie Sandford, who has spent time training with the First-Team, also started for the Young Dons.
Charlie Smith was handed the armband, with Romero Smart-Tull, Edward Gyamfi, Chama Torsiello and Liam Mann also taking to the action from off.
Dani Lucas, Jediaj Bombo and Joel Anker were all also given a starting berth.
Despite an energetic start from London Lions, it was MK Dons who scored the opening goal of the game with Lewis Johnson finding the back of the net with six minutes gone. It was a stunning solo effort from Johnson who glided past a number of defenders before firing into the far corner. 1-0.
London Lions looked for an immediate reply through Amit Weiss, but he dragged his shot wide from the edge of the box.
Shortly after, Brooklyn Ilunga saw his header blocked behind for a corner. The Dons came close to making it two, however, Sam Meisel claimed Torsiellio’s effort.
Ronnie Sandford made his first save of the game with 17-minutes gone, he claimed an effort from range comfortably.
Johnson, who was heavily involved in the first half, came close twice within a number of minutes. His first effort hit the side netting before Meisel saved well after he broke the offside trap.
Sandford then produced an impressive save at his near post a he turned a header wide from point-blank range. The young keeper then claimed the corner inside a crowded penalty area.
Johnson then almost added a stunning second with his curling effort from range crashing off the crossbar.
The final action of the first half fell the way of the visitors, but Sandford was there to make a comfortable save.
The second half started with London Lions in control with Sandford having to make two impressive saves, the second from two yards.
Despite their second-half dominance, it was the Dons who netted the second goal of the game was Anker’s hard work was rewarded. The goal was created by Smith who created space for a cross after his run down the right. His cross found Anker who fired home from inside the box. 0-2.
Romero Smart-Tull almost made it three on the hour, his effort dragged narrowly wide of the post. Bombo then saw his effort blocked behind for a corner, Meisel claimed the following set-piece.
Johnson, who was looking for his second of the game, his the crossbar following a clever move, his strike his the crossbar before Boyce fired wide on the rebound.
It was Boyce who found the third of the game with 15-minutes left to play as he fired into the back of the net after some smart football from Anker. 0-3.
Daffern then looked to make it four with his ambitious effort from 25-yards, Meisel recovered well to tip over the bar.
Daffern went close again with 10-minutes left to play with his driven effort hitting the post.
Anker did find the fourth of the game as he tapped home from inside the box in the last moments of the clash. 4-0.
He then completed his hat-trick with the final kick of the game converting from Smith's pass. 5-0.
