Director of Youth Mike Dove was proud of his under-18s players despite their FA Youth Cup defeat at Molineux on Monday.
The young Dons were more than a match for Wolverhampton Wanderers, going close on a number of occasions in an evenly-contest first-half, but two goals soon after the restart and a strike in stoppage-time saw them bow out of the competition at the third-round stage.
“I’m so proud of them,” Dove told mkdons.com. “I was impressed with the application of the players and I thought everybody stepped up to the challenge.
“Wolves are very solid across the board and they’ve got one or two forwards who can produce something special. Before half-time, though, the game was pretty even and we created chances.
“Unfortunately one and a half minutes into the second half they scored – there were three moments in the build-up to the goal that we should have done better with. We conceded again soon after which meant we had to change the shape.
“We then had a period where they came at us and we didn’t really recover but we did show great character, as the game went on, to get forward again - it just didn’t happen for us.” He continued: “It was a great experience for the players and staff. It’s a unique occasion which allows us to spend a bit more time on our preparation.
“It was good for them to have a taste of what it would be like being a professional. It gives a little insight into that and therefore we can take this as massive development.
“Wherever they go in it’s a great memory for them and for those who will go on to play professional football, it’s a great reference point for them to draw back on.”
“I’m so proud of them,” Dove told mkdons.com. “I was impressed with the application of the players and I thought everybody stepped up to the challenge.
“Wolves are very solid across the board and they’ve got one or two forwards who can produce something special. Before half-time, though, the game was pretty even and we created chances.
“Unfortunately one and a half minutes into the second half they scored – there were three moments in the build-up to the goal that we should have done better with. We conceded again soon after which meant we had to change the shape.
“We then had a period where they came at us and we didn’t really recover but we did show great character, as the game went on, to get forward again - it just didn’t happen for us.” He continued: “It was a great experience for the players and staff. It’s a unique occasion which allows us to spend a bit more time on our preparation.
“It was good for them to have a taste of what it would be like being a professional. It gives a little insight into that and therefore we can take this as massive development.
“Wherever they go in it’s a great memory for them and for those who will go on to play professional football, it’s a great reference point for them to draw back on.”
