Manager Dave Challinor was delighted with the ‘character and personality’ his side showed in the second half at AFC Wimbledon, as County came from a goal down to secure a first away win of the season.
“It feels really good, and thoroughly deserved” the boss said after just a second win of the new campaign. “To go through what we did in the first half, and the players to show the character and personality they did in the second half to get ourselves in front and see out the game was massively pleasing, and massively deserved.”
With ten players unavailable for selection on Saturday, Dave praised the performance of the returning Macauley Southam-Hales, in the Welshman’s first game back from injury.
“Macca was a risk today – he’s trained and had some contact stuff, it was a risk we spoke with him about and he wanted to be involved. We were absolutely bare bones, so for him to not just complete 90 minutes but deal with what he dealt with, deal with Sasu when he came on, one of their big threats, absolutely brilliant.”
Will Collar’s first goal of the season proved to be the winner in the second half, with DC agreeing it was a big moment for the midfielder.
“From our perspective, no better view for us than watching him arrive in the middle of the box as the ball’s about to be crossed. He’s become renowned for that and that finish – he’s owed me one, I’m glad he’s got one now and we have to use that, like we did with Louie, and it becomes the start of a run for him.
“He built a reputation over the past 18-20 months based on a midfielder that arrives late in the box and scores goals. He’s not had the opportunity to do that because of injury, so if we can get that back he becomes a brilliant player and a really important player to us, but also puts himself back on the map in terms of saying to people ‘I’m still here.'”
Looking ahead, Dave was keen to use this success as a springboard going forward: “Momentum is massive in football. We know that from our own personal experiences through what happened last year in terms of winning games of football and then rolling on to the next.
“The weeks take care of themselves in terms of what that looks like, and it almost becomes play, win, rest, repeat and you want to get into that rhythm. There’s going to be some bumps along the road, we understand the expectation and understand what’s required
The gaffer confirmed post-match that captain Paddy Madden had been forced to leave the camp on Friday night due to a family emergency, and everyone at the club sends our best wishes to Paddy and everyone involved.
Watch the manager’s full interview with Liam Richardson below:
