A young Stevenage reserve side fell to a 5-1 defeat against MK Dons this afternoon at Bragbury End.
MK Dons fielded an XI with over 550 career appearances and a Welsh international whilst, aside from Steve Schumacher, Boro’s XI boasted just 55 career games between them and the visitors’ experience showed at times in an attacking display.
An early goal from Nicky Maynard was cancelled out by a trialist, but Callum Brittain gave MK a 2-1 half-time lead.
Aston Villa loanee Henry Cowans joined in the action in the second half, joined by scholars Mickey Cregan, Claudio Ofosu and Stevenage Elite Development Programme youngster Sammy Dowridge.
Further goals from Tilney, Brittain and sub Tshimanga completed the scoring with Callum Preston also making several fine saves in the Stevenage goal.
Rowan Liburd came closest to scoring for the hosts in the second half but volleyed straight at Nicholls after Cregan’s header back across goal.
Stevenage: Preston, Kerr (Dowridge 46), Wilmot, Omar, Croud, Hunte, Schumacher (Ofosu 65), Gorman, McKee (Cowans 46), Liburd, Trialist (Cregan 46)
Sub not used: Etheridge
MK Dons: Nicholls; Brittain, Hendry, Jackson, G B Williams; Rasulo, Carruthers (Osei-Bonsu 79); G C Williams, Furlong (Logan 79), Tilney (Thomas-Asante 79); Maynard (Tshimanga 61).
Sub not used: Burns