MK Dons currently lie fourth in the League One table with two games in hand that potentially could see them climb to the summit after a 6-0 hammering against Colchester United. They have been one of the consistent performers in England's third tier thus far, and this in part is due to the goals of Arsenal owned Benik Afobe.
His first against the U's on Saturday put MK Dons 2-0 up after he rounded off a through ball into the area with a deft flick over on-rushing goalkeeper Sam Walker. The second for Afobe and third for the Dons arrived shortly after, as a fierce strike parried by the Colchester 'keeper Walker fell kindly for the Arsenal striker, who reacted sharply to take a touch and head into the net.
Into the second-half and approaching the hour mark Afobe secured his first career hat-trick in style as he exchanged passes to burst into the box and fire home to put the home side firmly in command. The Colchester defence simply had no answer to the Arsenal loanee by now and he played a further part in the Dons fifth goal, receiving the ball on the edge of the box and turning his man, only to be brought down bearing in on goal. U's defender Will Packwood was sent off for the desperate challenge, as Ben Reeves coolly dispatched the resulting penalty. One more superb curling effort was to come from Lee Hodson as MK secured a club record league win, in which Benik Afobe had a hand in four of the goals.
Afobe has now appeared for MK Dons 23 times this season, 17 in the league and six cup appearances. He is seeing good game time at the Buckinghamshire side and is flourishing as he has bagged 18 goals in all competitions thus far. Earlier in the season it appeared his goals were being saved for the cup and currently has nine goals in his six cup appearances. However, with his trio of strikes on Saturday he is also up to nine league goals now and up within the divisions sharp shooters such as ex-Southampton Jonathan Forte and ex-Crystal Palace Aaron Wilbraham, in the League One top scorer charts.
This weekend's performance will be up there as a, currently, career high moment for Afobe and those moments appear to be growing as he already made waves in the early stages of the League Cup with an impressive brace against Manchester United.
Whatever may lay ahead for Benik Afobe after his loan spell at Stadium MK, all associated with Arsenal will enjoy seeing him continue to extend his already impressive goal tally, as will the MK Dons faithful.