Quaine Bartley felt we benefitted from an injection of pace after an improved second-half from the Dons that included his home league debut.
The 18-year-old striker came on for the closing stages and one final push, as we tried to level up the score line against visitors Barrow. However, we came up short with nothing to show for our efforts.
“You could see the difference in the second-half,” said Quaine after only his second taste of league action. “It increased a lot and I think we created a lot more chances. However, the end quality needs to be a lot better from all of us and we need to start taking our chances."
Having recently signed his first professional deal with the Dons, Quaine feels he is continuing to progress by being around more senior players. He’s hoping to figure against Aston Villa’s Under-21s on Tuesday evening in the Papa John’s Trophy, the competition in which he made his first-team debut last season.
“I love it,” said Quaine. “Coming in every day, it’s a very close-knit group and we get on really well. The older ones in there, like Alex Pearce, really do look out for us younger player. They make us feel welcome. In training we’re all together. We work hard and I’d say the focus is definitely there.
“I don’t know if I’ll be in the team for our opening group game, but all I can keep doing is work hard in training, making sure I’m doing what needs to be done on my part. Hopefully, I can get some game-time and do something on the pitch.
“In training we keep working hard. Obviously, we want to get in the team, but when we get the opportunity, as a substitute, we want to prove why we should figure more often. As a sub, all you want to do is come on and make an impact, and while you’re on the bench you need to watch and see what you can do when you get given the chance.
“We moved the ball quite slowly in the first half. We just needed that burst of energy, here and there, to basically move that ball along the back a bit quicker, progress up the pitch, and open up channels.”
Picture: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images).
You can see the full interview with Academy graduate Quaine Bartley below, via the link to our official YouTube channel.