MK Dons Academy suffer a narrow defeat against Manchester United during their Gwen & Jim Mann Academy Showcase tie.
MK Dons hosted Manchester United at Stadium MK for the Gwen & Jim Mann Academy Showcase fixture.
FIRST-HALF
A well-worked move down the right-flank almost saw MK Dons take the lead within the opening minute of the match. Clark-Anderson had covered many yards to bring the ball within United’s final-third, his pass then located Troso, whose shot was just wide of the mark.
Manchester United broke the deadlock four minutes after the home side’s early chance. The ball was played between three different red shirts before the travelling team had dismantled the Dons defence and located the back of the net with a close-range finish. 0-1
Rian Silver looked to respond moments after the set-back, his shot from range was matched by the ‘keeper, who then pounced on top of the ball to ensure that Troso wouldn’t be able to connect with the follow up.
The Red Devils were intent to double their lead, two chances arose for them to do so, but a header inches wide of the post and a great stop from Stacey denied them a two-goal advantage within the first 15 minutes of play.
MK Dons found it difficult to bypass the Red Devil’s defence since going behind in the fifth minute. Although, a promising attack was created just ahead of the 20-minute mark.
United were alert to the danger, but a well-timed challenge from Keon-Lewis Burgess sustains the chance. However, the attack later diminishes as the ball rolls out of play moments after.
A foul was given in favour of the visitors, who seemed to be in a dangerous position had the tackle not been made. The Free-kick which followed was hit wide.
United defended well following an MK Dons corner, which prevented a certain equaliser right before the interval. The home side had been more positive in their play within the closing stages of the first-half but were yet to find the leveller they sought out for.
SECOND-HALF
Multiple changes were made at the break for the young Dons, which saw Boyce, Daffern, Medwynter and Singh all take to the field for 45 minutes of action.
A sharp start from the boys in white saw Joshua Adepoju try his luck from a tight angle, his effort was narrowly sliced wide of the target.
Both ends of the field saw action since the restart. Either side of the field had corner-kicks delivered into the box, as well as attempts at goal. But, so far, neither team could succeed in their efforts. 30 Minutes remained and United still held onto their lead gained within the opening exchanges.
Five minutes following the hour-mark Manchester United doubled their lead. The travelling team’s attacking efforts eventually paid off as they conjured an unstoppable shot from close-range. 0-2
MK Dons had responded mere minutes after United claimed their two-goal lead. Albert Wood tried his luck from range, and his shot seemed too powerful for the Red Devils’ goalkeeper to handle. Chase Medwynter positioned himself intelligently and ensured to tap the ball home after it fell from the shot-stoppers grasp. 1-2
With momentum behind them, the home side searched for an equaliser swiftly after halving their deficit. Although Brogan Matthews’ curled attempt to achieve this evaded the target.
Since Medwynter pulled a goal back 15 minutes prior to the final whistle, the young Dons continued their approach to claim an equaliser against the boys in red. However, the time left on the stopwatch was running out, so the hosts needed to find their leveller quickly.
Three minutes of injury time was added at the end of the fixture, but Manchester United managed to keep the young Dons behind throughout the tie.
***
MK Dons: Stacey (Bedford) (Lupinkski), Clark-Anderson, Scholtz (Fox-Nania), Stirland (C), Sinclair-Linton (Tripp), Wood (Medwynter), Matthews (Adepoju) (Ben Nash), Lewis-Burgess (Singh) (Norman), Brammeld (Boyce) (Spalanzio), Silver (Nash), Troso (Daffern)
Goals: Medwynter 73
