First-teamers get game time in development squad defeat
Academy and development manager Andy Awford says he was delighted with his players’ attitude this afternoon as several of Nathan Jones' first-teamers were given vital minutes on the pitch in a behind-closed-doors development squad game at MK Dons.
Dan Potts, Jake Gray, Jonathan Smith, Craig Mackail-Smith and Josh McQuoid were among the players on show at the League One club’s training ground, with McQuoid (pictured above) netting the Town’s goal in a 2-1 defeat.
The hosts led 2-0 by the hour mark, but McQuoid pounced to net after strike partner Mackail-Smith went through but saw his shot parried by the Dons’ keeper.
Speaking to lutontown.co.uk on his way back from the game, Awford said: “It was a good game with a high tempo to it. Both sides played at a good pace and it was a good exercise to get.
“I only made one substitution on 80 minutes when Zane Banton came off with a kick on his calf, so Arthur Read went on for him, but we had a lot of players today that our manager wanted to get 90 minutes in and get their fitness levels up so they are ready.
“It will have done them the world of good, without a shadow of a doubt, because they all worked hard. The attitude of the players was excellent. It was all good.
“We missed chances during the game. It was a bit too open at times for my liking, but we had enough chances to have won it or at least drawn.
“I’m disappointed to lose, obviously, but delighted with the performance. We’ve just got to be a bit more clinical in their box. That was all that was lacking a bit today.”
The Town line up was: King, James, Musonda, Potts, Senior, Bakinson, Gray, Smith, Banton (Read 80), Mackail-Smith, McQuoid.