Milton Keynes Dons delivered a stunning 7-1 victory over Brentford U21 in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday. The emphatic win at Stadium MK effectively confirmed their qualification for the competition's knockout stages.
Paul Warne's side, sitting 22nd in League One, took control early. Charlie Goode opened the scoring in the 29th minute, nodding in from a Samuel Silvera corner. The first half was extended by 13 minutes of stoppage time after Brentford's Luka Bentt suffered a serious injury and was stretchered off following lengthy treatment. Aaron Collins capitalised twice during that added time, slotting home in the 45th and 45+13th minutes to give the Dons a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
Second half surge
Ibrahim Fullah extended the lead shortly after the restart, finishing from close range in the 52nd minute. Sam Nombe, who had joined from Rotherham in the summer, then missed a penalty on the hour mark but redeemed himself by scoring his first goal for the club twelve minutes later. Simone Troso made it seven with a composed finish in the 78th minute. Brentford's Caelan Avenall was shown a straight red card for a foul just before Nombe's goal, and the visitors' only reply came from Naeem Giscombe's late consolation.
Warne made five changes at half-time, introducing Marvin Ekpiteta, Sam Nombe, Daniel Barlaser, and Rian Silver, and the team maintained their intensity. They dominated possession with 59% and unleashed 34 shots, 15 of which were on target. The result extends the Dons' recent unbeaten run to five matches across all competitions, a sequence of two wins and three draws. This form includes a 1-1 draw with Charlton and a 2-2 draw with Exeter in their last two League One outings, leaving them on 48 points.
The focus now shifts immediately to League One, where MK Dons host seventh-placed Reading this Saturday. The team will aim to transfer this cup confidence into their league campaign, with all upcoming fixtures available to view. The comprehensive victory was witnessed by an attendance of 824 at Stadium MK.
Aaron Collins scored a hat-trick in the 7-1 EFL Trophy win over Brentford U21, the club confirmed. The striker netted twice in first-half stoppage time and completed his treble two minutes after the restart. The result extends the Dons' recent form to two wins and three draws in their last five matches. Manager Paul Warne said the performance was "a fantastic response from the group." The team, 22nd in League One, now prepares to host Reading on Saturday.
