We spoke to Mike Williamson following our 2-1 victory at Morecambe.
The Blues were already out of the competition, but it was a good result that only builds confidence. Mike agreed, saying: “Yeah, it certainly does. I thought the performance was great as well.
“I thought the first half we were really good. It was difficult. Obviously, teams are harder to break down, they're fresh, they want to block the middle off.
“I thought we created the better moments, obviously made the mistake, which is on us. You know, we're asking the lads to do it and that's good for us, we'll go back and clean the detail up and the understanding, which I think we'll benefit from. But we stuck to it and that's the main thing.
“I thought in the first half we were able to dominate the territory. We didn't have the quality in the final third but then in the second half, lads that came on made a real difference. To win after going behind as well just adds to that belief.
“It adds to what we're trying to do here in terms of understanding what we do and why we do it and the fact that a lot of our best moments in the first half came in transition. So we've tried to play through with the right intentions. Because we've been on the front foot, we've been able to pick up the second ball and then we build from that platform again.
“Obviously, I felt I wanted the boys to play forward a little bit more in the first half but overall when you're moving a team in the second half, that's when the gaps will open up and that's what they did.”
Freddie O’Donoghue netted his first senior goal, with his first touch after coming on as a 74th minute substitute. Mike said: “There was so many really good performances, so many positives that come out of the game, a lot of lads that needed minutes. I’m buzzing for Freddie, he works his socks off.”
Hayden Atkinson, Jake Allan, Jonah Lowes and Sam Hetherington all also featured. Mike spoke on giving the young lads minutes:
“We tried to limit the minutes for the lads that will be involved tomorrow but I think it's really good exposure. I think things like this will put them in a real good standing in the future. Now they've got to get home late, they've got to get to bed, they've got to get up in the morning, they've got to get focused again and that's what the game is.
“So, I think they'll be young and fresh enough to be able to deal with that and it's a big game for them tomorrow.”
Ben Williams also returned to action, in some style too, assisting a goal and getting his first in United colours. Mike discussed his performance:
“I thought he was a big part of our progression up the pitch, his energy, his timing. It looks like he's got a real understanding of what we're trying to do and yeah, I thought he was one of our best players.”
The Blues now have numerous options in that position, which Mike spoke about:
“Yeah, like I say, we're always trying to look at things and every opportunity we get we want to just try and test players in certain areas, challenge them, see what we can get from it and like I said, I thought we looked at a few different things tonight and it was good.”
Mike also spoke about Kadeem Harris, who looked bright in the opening 45:
“He was great. He's obviously built off the weekend. Got a few more minutes under his belt now. So, hopefully he dusts himself down and he'll be fit to go Saturday.”
Ethan Robson was absent from the squad, despite his suspension not applying to the BSM Trophy. Mike explained: “He basically just felt something yesterday in training. We're hoping it's precautionary but he's going to have to get a scan just to double check if there's anything there.
“Apart from him, It was a case of a real good opportunity to get minutes for lads. Opportunity for them to do well and to rest a few of the lads.
Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bromley, Mike said:
“We want to make it three wins in a row. That's the plan. We know it's going to be really hard. Obviously, they had a fantastic season last year. They've started well.
“They're big, strong, organised. We know how hard it is but we've just got to build off that feeling we've got. No matter what team we put out, we just keep continuing our progression.”
