Our manager was pleased to exact revenge on our local rivals this evening as the Dons beat Sutton United 1-0 in the Papa John’s Trophy.
A solitary goal from Kyle Hudlin after a well-delivered Jack Currie cross proved to be enough for us to claim the bragging rights as we progressed to the last 16 of the competition.
Having made 10 changes for the game, Johnnie was only too keen to praise the men who had stepped up for our side tonight.
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“First and foremost we wanted to get through,” he said. “We’ve taken our chance and with it being against our local rivals, it makes it a bit sweeter. I’m really pleased to see us come through another tough test. The most pleasing aspect of it was our defensive resoluteness, it was a scrappy game and in the end we showed a real moment of quality to win it.
“Kyle’s had to be really patient. The boys in his position have been playing really well and he’s found his opportunities quite limited but when called upon he’s done the right things in training and in games. It gives me the confidence to be able to make changes. He took his goal really well and I thought his all round play was excellent.”
Goalkeeper Nathan Broome recorded his first clean sheet of the season, whilst Luke Jenkins looked assured in defence alongside the experienced Alex Pearce – with all three players earning deserved praise from the gaffer.
“It was a real test for him. We’ve been looking to see Broomey get put under real pressure like he was tonight and he’s come through it with flying colours.
“It was massive for Jenko. He was making one of his first few starts at home tonight and to have someone as experienced as Pearcey alongside him was invaluable. Pearcey approaches every training session and game in the same way and he’s a credit to himself. He treated it like a cup final.”
PICS: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images)