Johnnie Jackson waxed lyrical about our side’s goalscoring exploits after seeing the Dons march to a 5-1 FA Cup victory over Cheltenham Town.
Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi, James Tilley (2), Josh Davison and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans saw us breeze through to the second round of the famous competition in style.
It was a great response following two disappointing league defeats as we once again put our best foot forward against a team from a higher division.
Here’s everything that Johnnie had to say after a brilliant day at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
ON THE WIN…
It was a stunning victory. It was a complete all round performance against tough opposition. They’ve had their struggles this season but they came here in good form. We did a job on them today. We can cause problems for anyone when we play that way. We could have had a few more. We also shut them out for long periods.
ON THE GOALS…
I’m pleased for Josh, he’s had to be patient. When lads come on you want them to impact the game and I thought before he got the goal he’d impacted it. I thought all of the goals were brilliant. We scored different types of goals – Connor’s was a stunner. Ali got in behind well.
ON REGROUPING…
There’s been a lot of questions internally this week. It’s been a tough week. We hit it head on as a group. We reminded them of how good they are – showed them the data of the league games we’ve played. We’re a good side and I felt that when we get it right we’d give someone a hiding. We want more of that. We need to be a good side all the time. We need to sustain it for 90 minutes. This will give the lads enormous belief.
ON KAI JENNINGS…
I congratulated him in the changing room. It wasn’t a gift, the boy deserved it. I was here for the FA Youth Cup game in the week and I thought he was outstanding. We’re watching him very closely. He comes over and trains with us and always impacts the sessions. It felt right to get him on. If it didn’t feel right I wouldn’t have got him on. It’s hopefully the first of many for Kai.
ON RYAN JOHNSON AND JOSH NEUFVILLE…
Johno felt his knee coming out of the Morecambe game. It was disappointing that he couldn’t make it today but I thought Pearcey (Alex Pearce) came in and did brilliantly. We hope it’s nothing too serious.
With Josh it’s always been the plan to give him a rest as he’s been playing through the pain barrier with a back issue. He’s done brilliantly for the team.
CHELTENHAM PICS: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images)