Report: MK Dons 1-2 Saints B

The opener came at the expense of a poor mistake from Dons keeper Laurie Walker.

Unaware of the incoming Sam Bellis, on his first start of the season for Saints B, the keeper saw the ball stolen from his feet by the youngster on 22 minutes as Saints took the lead.

MK Dons similarly capitalised after a keeper’s misjudgement seconds into the second half; Matthew Sorinola rounding Harry Lewis for the equaliser on 46 minutes.

Keeping with tradition the winner also came from a mistake; Walker gifting the ball to Kazeem Olaigbe who capped off an impressive night with the winner on 93 minutes.

Saints fielded a youthful side for this the third fixture of the competition.

Lewis skippered the side from between the sticks, with Under-18s regulars Ryan Finnigan and Bellis amongst those within the starting line-up.

MK Dons also sided with youth, nine academy products taking to the field as David Kasumu captained the side.

After a well observed minutes silence the game got under way, on a pitch far larger than many in the Saints eleven will have been used to this season.

Dons had the ball in the net after just eight minutes as Carlton Morris burst forward with the ball but was denied by a late linesman’s flag.

Whilst the home sided continued to enjoy the slight majority of possession, Saints’ back line stood strong during the early stages.

But it was the visitors who would take a somewhat fortuitous lead on 22 minutes.

Dons keeper Walker seemingly having an age to clear the ball, unaware of the incoming Bellis over his left shoulder.

The striker on his first start of the season for Saints B nicked the ball off of Walker’s feet and fired his side into the lead.

Lewis Johnson was involved for the hosts as they looked to respond instantly; seeing his diving header steered wide by a strong block courtesy of Allan Tchaptchet.

Saints came storming forward again just past the half-hour mark, with Enzo Robise firing a fierce ball across goal just out of reach of Bellis at the back post.

Kazeem Olaigbe also caused Dons problems with his pace going forward, the midfielder forcing a corner as Saints pressed and their confidence grew.

Scott Fraser looked to get things going for the hosts as the half drew to a close; cutting into the penalty box and looking for Johnson who could only drill his shot wide.

Johnson went even closer second later, somehow dragging his effort from inside the six-yard box wide as Saints looked stretched.

After a solid display first half it was far from it from Saints during the first minute of the second.

Sorinola capitalised on Lewis rushing out of his box, with the Saints keeper narrowly missing out on the ball and the Dons midfielder making no mistake with an open net.

It didn’t knock the visitors, however, who soon almost instantly replied with Caleb Watts’ close-range effort which went just wide.

Sorinola looked to add a second in the 56th minute but for a strong save from the onrushing Lewis.

After a scrappy ten minutes the next chance of the game fell to Saints, Olaigbe curling an effort just over the Dons crossbar from just outside the penalty area.

Both sides had openings on the break; Ramello Mitchell’s low cross well collected by Walker at the near post before Johnson’s cross was similarly thwarted by his name sake Tyreke Johnson.

The game was shaping into a similar spectacle as the last outing in the competition for Saints away at Stevenage, a winner just as likely for both sides as the game remained in the balance.

Each side had recent penalty experience as the possibility loomed even closer; Dons winning their first round FA Cup tie at Eastleigh on Saturday whilst Saints losing in the Hampshire FA Senior Cup semi-final to the lottery of penalties to the same opposition.

But eventually there was no need, with Saints gifted a second by Dons keeper Walker three minutes into the seven added on.

With Mitchell closing down the keeper he was forced to rush his pass, which found the feet of the tricky Olagibe who couldn’t miss in front of an open net.

That was the winner which confirmed Saints’ first three points of the competition.

Next time out is a visit to Liverpool in Premier League 2, looking to build on the 5-2 win over Manchester City.

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