'Brave' - MK Dons boss gives his verdict on Jersey Mikes Trophy win over Crawley Town
MK Dons boss Paul Warne has given his verdict on his side’s comprehensive 4-1 win over Crawley Town in the Jersey Mikes Trophy.
Colin Kazim-Richards’ side started the brighter and Nathan Tinsdale, Gianmarco Di Biase and Klaudio Krasniqi all had chances to take the lead but goals by Ben Wiles and Jack Sanders in the 42nd and 45th minutes respectively gave the home side a 2-0 advantage at the break.
Reds had chances again the second half but found keeper Will Dennis on top form. Further goals from Eli Campbell and a penalty from former Red Rushian Hepburn-Murphy made it 4-0.
Tinsdale scored Crawley’s consolation in the final minute.
The MK boss said: “I can’t really make excuses for it, we just didn’t start well. Crawley were brave, they came man-for-man and we continued to try and play through when we could’ve stretched play.
"It felt a bit like pre-season, everyone wanted it to feet, and sometimes you’ve got to spin it down the sides and stretch. I don’t think we were complacent, just not on it.
"At half-time, we told them to be more aggressive and run a bit harder really, and we did that.”
Warne’s side had drawn six of their seven League One games so far this season and were yet to win a game. “Overall I’m pleased. We needed to win a game,” he said. “I’m pleased with the chances we created, pleased with the goals we scored, pleased to have four different scorers, but I was disappointed with the first 20 minutes.
"We were soft, unathletic, we didn’t look up for it. Sometimes it needs a tackle or a goal to wake everyone up, and after we got the goal, our performance improved. We leave pretty pleased, the lads got some minutes, there were no injuries, plenty of positives.”
Brentford u21 beat Bromley 1-0 in the other Southern Group H game.