Soccer
Gary Bowyer delighted with Burton reaction to weekend defeat
Burton head coach Gary Bowyer was delighted with his side’s 4-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon as they bounced back from defeat at the weekend.
Burton went behind to a trademark Jayden Stockley header but roared back to lead at half-time through skipper George Evans’ superb free-kick and an own goal from Wimbledon defender Alistair Smith.
Albion put the game to bed after the break with goals from Charlie Webster and Caylan Vickers.
Bowyer said: “We wanted a reaction to the weekend and we are disappointed with the goal that we conceded tonight but the reaction after that was fabulous and a great goal from the captain on the night got us going.
“We knew would have to be brave on the ball and take it in tight areas. We made mistakes but on the whole it was a really entertaining evening for us and delighted to send the supporters home happy.
Bowyer was fulsome in his praise for Vickers as he capped his debut with the fourth goal.
He added: “I thought Caylan was man of the match, without a doubt tonight.
“He caused them all kinds of problems with his movement and the way he took his goal. Wow.
“To say he only met his team-mates yesterday and trained once with us and to go and put in a performance like that is very exciting. I am excited for his link up with Charlie Webster. They are two similar players, technically good and that really excites me for the future.”
For AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson it was back to earth with a bump after victory at the weekend and he slammed his side for an “unacceptable” performance.
“We started the game well, I thought. We scored a great goal and then we have given up some poor goals and given up the momentum in the game,” Jackson said.
“It is unacceptable. We give away a stupid free-kick on the edge of our box and don’t get our set-up right and the momentum changes and then we concede again before half time.
“After the start we had to the game it is very frustrating. At half-time we talk about the plan for the second half and then 18 seconds in we give away another one and it is completely unacceptable.”
The plus point for the Dons boss was striker Jayden Stockley getting his first league goal for the club, although ultimately it counted for nothing.
Jackson added: “Jayden has scored a great goal, and we have to score great goals but then we concede soft ones. At half time the game was still there for us and then we go and do that, and it takes any chance away. I can live with the fourth goal because the game is stretched and we are chasing it but the rest is not good enough.”
