MK Dons U15s beat their FC Barcelona counterparts 3-0 in front of a record Academy Challenge Match attendance of 4,182 at stadiummk on Sunday lunchtime.

In weather more accustomed to the homeland of the visitors, both sides played out an entertaining encounter, which was decided by goals from Jay Bird, Recoe Martin and Leon Taylor.



The Dons got off to a flying start when Jay Bird curled in a superb finish from 20 yards on four minutes after good build-up play involving Joe Evans and Dylan Asonganyi.



Shortly afterwards, Recoe Martin forced a smart save from Arnau Tenas before Asonganyi was denied following a powerful solo run as Lewis Higgs’ side started brightly.



FC Barcelona enjoyed a good spell as the game approached the midway point of the first half, but Alfie Jones was more than up to the task as he confidently thwarted the visitors on a couple of occasions.



At the other end, Martin almost caught Tenas off guard with an ambitious 35-yard effort following a clever turn away from his marker in the centre circle.



Jones expertly held a well-hit free-kick before he put pressure on Jaume Cuellar, who fired over the top from the right apex of the 18-yard box.



Martin extended the Dons’ lead on 47 minutes, showing a clean pair of heels to his marker as he latched on to a fine through-ball before finishing with aplomb past Tenas.



Tenas denied Martin a brace shortly afterwards as the striker threatened once again while, at the other end, Konrad De La Fuente couldn’t finish Cuellar’s cut-back.



FC Barcelona went very close to pulling one back on 53 minutes but the Dons held firm – firstly John Freeman blocked a shot before Jones saved from Arnau Vilamitjana.



Both sides continued to impress the crowd with their respective brands of football and right-back Leon Taylor made it 3-0 to the Dons in the closing stages when he expertly brought down a corner and fired home from 15 yards out.



Overall, a great experience which will surely stand these youngsters in good stead, while the fans got a glimpse of some potential stars of tomorrow.



MK Dons: Jones; Taylor, Rahman, Hourican-Harvey (c), Richardson; Bonsu, Wright; Evans, Asonganyi, Bird; Martin.



Rolling subs: Pickworth, Blair, Philpott, Pattison, Tapp, Robinson, Bell, Freeman, Jackson.



Attendance: 4,182.



