Match Report | Milton Keynes Dons 7-1 Brentford U21s
MK Dons secure a dominant 7-1 win over Brentford U21s in the Jersey Mike's Trophy
Aaron Collins gets a hat-trick
Simone Troso and Ibrahim Fullah score their first Dons goals
First Half
The half started well for the Dons. Simone Troso was executing some nifty footwork throughout the opening exchanges, beating his marker several times, while the young Bees were also getting some joy in forward areas.
Ibrahim Fullah had the best chance of the half around the 23rd minute. He weaved his way through a sea of Brentford defenders to find himself just outside the box, striking a powerful effort on goal and forcing Bees’ ‘keeper Reginald Rose to make the first proper save of the game and parry it away.
Paul Warne’s side then finally broke the deadlock around the 28th minute thanks to a header from Charlie Goode. Sam Silvera delivered a lovely lofted ball into the box, which Goode wasted no time in directing into the bottom left corner of the net! 1-0
In added time, Aaron Collins doubled the Dons’ lead! The striker made his way to the left side of the six-yard box and unleashed a curved right-footed strike which found the centre of the net! 2-0
Collins almost secured a brace not long afterwards, striking a fantastic effort towards the net from distance which rebounded off the crossbar just enough for the Brentford ‘keeper to secure it in his gloves.
He didn’t have to wait for a second much longer, however. Sam Silvera delivered a ball into the box from the right, and Collins tapped it home from close range in added time! 3-0
Second Half
Warne made four substitutions at the break, Marvin Ekpiteta, Sam Nombe, Daniel Barlaser and Rian Silver coming on for Goode, Dan Crowley, Ryan Wintle and Ben Wiles.
Collins didn’t lose any of that goalscoring momentum during the interval, completing his hat-trick just three minutes into the second half! His left-footed shot from the centre of the box was neatly tucked away into the bottom left corner of the net. 4-0
It was raining goals for MK Dons, as shortly after Fullah scored his first goal in Dons colours! The Charlton loanee weaved his way to the right side of the box before striking a great effort past the reach of the Brentford goalie! 5-0
Warne looked to his bench again a minute later, with Elijah Campbell coming on for Collins.
The Dons were awarded a penalty around the hour-mark after a foul on Fullah which saw Caelan Avenell sent off. Sam Nombe took the resulting spot-kick, but his effort was saved by Rose between the posts.
Nombe was clearly determined to make up for this though, and he did just that minutes later, scoring a great goal from distance. His powerful right-footed shot found the top right corner of the net with ease, securing his first of the season and a sixth on the night for MK Dons! 6-0
They weren’t done there, as Troso scored a seventh goal for the hosts just a few minutes later! The 19-year-old broke free of his marker and found a nice spot just outside the box, firing into the corner of the net! 7-0
Brentford U21s pulled one back in the late stages, with substitute Naeem Giscombe finding the net for the Bees. 7-1
Milton Keynes Dons: Dennis (GK), Goode (Ekpiteta 46), Crowley (Nombe 46), Collins (Campbell 52), Silvera, Fullah, Wintle (Barlaser 46), Wiles (C) (Silver 46), Sanders, Burke, Troso
Unused Subs: Stacey (GK), Perniskie
Goals: Goode (28), Collins (45+3, 45+13, 48), Fullah (52), Nombe (72), Troso (78)
Brentford U21s: George Rose (GK), Nunes (Hanson 46), Owen, Grey, Avenell (C), Holland (Giscombe 86), Shield, Picotto, Klimas (Nwosu 46), Wheeler-Henry, Bentt (Oladapo-Gamu 43)
Unused Subs: Wolfheimer (GK), Trimboli, Powis
Yellow Cards: Wheeler-Henry (62), Rose (76)
Red Cards: Avenell (59)
Goals: Giscombe (89)
Venue: Stadium MK
Referee: Gareth Thomas
Attendance: 824 (116)