MK Dons Under-18s saw success within the First Round of the FA Youth Cup competition following a 3-0 victory courtesy of Ed Daffern’s first half brace and Adepoju’s spot-kick late on.
MK Dons Under-18s named a starting XI which included Callum Tripp and Phoenix Scholtz, who both had recently signed professional terms with the Club.
The First Round of the tournament meant that only one team would progress through the elimination competition, whereas one side would face a disheartening early exit.
The young Dons looked to contain possession within the opening stages of the fixture. As the ball was distributed to multiple players, it eventually found the feet of Scholtz, whose cross landed into a dangerous area. But it lacked the final touch of a blue shirt.
Scholtz was then called upon at the other end of the field as he fulfilled his defensive duties to turn away an early chance for Stourbridge.
Ten minutes into the match, Stourbridge created a chance through the first corner-kick of the game. The set-piece was played short before the delivery met with its target – the headed attempt flew over the crossbar.
Since the early domination of possession, the hosts grew back into the game to gain a foothold which saw them create many attacking chances. However, goalkeeper Sebastian Stacey was only called upon once so far to meet with a low, powerful effort at goal.
Captain Charlie Stirland put his body in front of the ball to deter a close-range strike form the home side. This then sparked a counter-attack, which saw the ball land at the feet of Phoenix Scholtz, who progressed into the opposition’s area – the player was brough down during his advance, but no foul was given.
Edwin Daffern had opened the scoring for MK Dons! A well-worked move saw the travelling team take the lead just before the 30-minute mark. Daffern’s flick and run rewarded the number ten with a chance at goal, which he used to bounce his effort over the Stourbridge shot-stopper. 0-1
Joshua Adepoju came close to doubling the Dons’ lead, but the striker was just a yard behind the low delivery into the six-yard box.
Another sight at a second arose for the young Dons, but Matthew Brogan’s curled effort from range was thwarted by the woodwork with five minutes left to play in the first half.
Minutes prior to the interval, Ed Daffern doubled the lead for the young Dons! The number ten stepped up to a set-piece that Boyce had been giving on the edge of the home side’s penalty area. With enough power behind the hit, it allowed the ball to ricochet off the defenders and into the back of the net.
MK Dons led by two goal to nil as the teams were signalled for the break.
SECOND-HALF
The hosts had come out of the blocks quickly, which saw Stacey called into action minutes after the restart. Stacey had positioned himself well to claim a delivery into the box – this ultimately diminished the early advances of the boys in red.
MK Dons had to soak up a period of pressure following the restart. Stourbridge had gained control of the game throughout a 15-minute period, but the Dons’ defence remained resolute in their efforts and Stacey had thus far matched anything that came his way.
Albert Wood was the next player to be called upon defensively for the away side – his challenge was vital to deny the attacking player a clear line of sight at goal.
The travelling team made their first substitution of the game before 70 on the stopwatch. Rian Silver took to the field in place of Ed Daffern, whose brace had awarded the young Dons with a two-goal lead.
74 Minutes into the skirmish Joshua Adepoju had produced another threatening shot at goal. John Bitting’s boys had hit Stourbridge on the break - the ball found the feet of Adepoju, whose fierce shot after he had cut inside was matched by his counterpart.
After riding the storm, MK Dons found themselves back in control of the ball with another opportunity gained soon after Adepoju’s effort. Phoenix Scholtz sliced a shot across goal, but it was well met by the goalkeeper, who palmed it clear of danger.
The second substitution of the match for the young Dons saw a hard-working Callum Hall replaced by Joshua Clark-Anderson. Ten minutes remained at the time of this change.
In the final five minutes of the game, Joshua Adepoju had been awarded with the penalty. The young striker had intelligently taken a touch away from the onrushing ‘keeper as he is brought down in the box.
Unfortunately, the spot-kick couldn’t be converted as Stourbridge’s goalie makes up for the mistake with a brilliant stop.
Nevertheless, Adepoju saw another chance from the penalty-spot within the dying embers of the match. This time, the young striker made no mistake as he increased the lead to three. 3-0
MK Dons’ resolute defensive display throughout the second half of action had rewarded them with a well-earned clean sheet, which was further complimented by a 3-0 victory at the War Memorial Ground.
John Bitting’s boys will progress into the second round of the competition following their Stourbridge success.
***
MK Dons: Stacey, Scholtz, Boyce, Hall (Clark-Anderson 79), Stirland (C), Wood, Tripp, Lewis-Burgess, Adepoju, Daffern (Silver 68), Matthews (Medwynter 87)
Subs: Bedford, Guzynski, Sinclair-Linton, Hurditt
Goals: Daffern 29 42, Adepoju 90
