It was one way traffic in Woughton as Southampton adapted better to the blustery conditions to breeze past an out-of-sorts Milton Keynes Dons.
The Saints made their intentions clear from the start and, after already rattling the Dons’ crossbar, took the lead when Callum McNish found the top corner with a well placed free kick following a foul on Jordace Spooner-Holder.
Things got worse for the Dons ten minutes later when, after charging down a Louis Bragg clearance, Saint’s top scorer Sam Hoskins doubled the lead with a superbly executed overhead kick.
It wasn’t until the 44th minute that Southampton keeper Jack Dovey faced his first test proving himself up to the challenge by blocking Hayden Carter’s effort and ensuring that the Saints maintained their two goal lead going in to half time.
A tactical change made by Dons Manager Mike Dove provided a more evenly contested second half however, Southampton wrapped up the scoring following a neat one-two between McNish and Daryl McLean which saw the latter drill the ball across Dons keeper Bragg and in to the bottom corner.
Speaking to the Club’s official website, Southampton Coach Dave Puckett said:
“We impressed all over the pitch and put them under immense pressure, keeping the ball in their half and dominating, creating numerous chances. Our standards have vastly improved and the clean sheet always looked comfortable.”
MK Dons Academy Manager Mike Dove said:
“It’s a result to forget about, but the lessons must be learned because the boys didn’t perform well. The conditions were not easy, but we cannot use them as an excuse – we have to adapt better.”
