Alan Kernaghan said there were far more positives than negatives in Brentford’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win against AFC Wimbledon.
The Bees won the Southern Section First Round tie against the South West London 5-3 at Griffin Park last night.
Farid El Alagui scored twice while Luke Norris scored on his first start in professional football.
Ben Nugent and Javi Venta scored the other for The Bees but they conceded three, two of which came late on.
Alan, speaking after the match, said he was pleased with how clinical Brentford were and happy to get through to the next stage.
“We are very pleased to get through,” said the Brentford Assistant Manager.
“It gives us another chance to get players match practice.
“The positives outweighed the negatives tonight.
“We had a lot of good play, certainly in the second half.
“We scored goals, created good chances and were clinical.
“We didn’t need too many chances to score, which has been a concern; sometimes we need too many chances to score.
“The strikers got on the score sheet.
“It was very good.”
Sky Bet League Two Wimbledon came to attack and were in the game for long periods.
But Brentford scored four times in 17 minutes in the second half to put the game out of reach.
Alan said The Bees wanted to play entertaining football every week and Wimbledon’s attacking intent made for a good spectacle
“I must congratulate Wimbledon for coming with a positive attitude, which lends itself to an attacking and entertaining game,” he said.
“Full marks to them for having a go.
“We are trying to entertain like that.
“We want to play quick attacking football and have lots of effort on goal.
“And we hope to score as many as we did tonight on more occasions.”
Brentford made five changes from the team which started Saturday’s 0-0 Sky Bet League One draw with Carlisle United on Saturday.
Eight of JPT team started last Tuesday’s Capital One Cup game against Derby County, which Brentford lost 5-0.
That became nine when Jake Reeves replaced George Saville early on.
Alan said George had a kick on his ankle and could not continue.
He said there was no difference in preparation for the two games and both presented an opportunity for those involved who have not been starting League One games.
Striker Luke Norris started his first game for Brentford while Development Squad defender Aaron Pierre came on at half time to play at left back.
“We are delighted to have gone through and get the opportunity again,” he said.
“I can’t question the boys’ attitude and preparation for the game at Derby last week.
“We just played poorly on the night and came up against a good Championship team who were clinical.
“We are through now and it gives the guys another chance for the Manager to see them in a proper competitive game.
“Tonight was a good opportunity for these players.
“We were in a different position last week and the roles were reversed tonight.
“We showed some of our class and quality, particularly in the second half.
“There were a couple of things we weren’t happy about but they were outweighed by the positives.”
One negative on the night was Wimbledon scoring three goals but Alan offered an explanation.
“We are frustrated with some of the defending but there are reasons,” he said.
“Aaron Pierre hasn’t played at left back since he was 18.
“He was playing with Ben Nugent, who he doesn’t know.
“There are a couple of excuses but there was also some poor defending.”
Alan said he was particularly pleased for Luke Norris.
He scored his first professional goal when he raced on to a Jake Reeves pass to score and was also involved in three of Brentford’s other goals.
“I am delighted for Luke,” said Alan.
“It has been a difficult year and a half to two years for him.
“He has never been quite up to full match speed, from our perspective in the First Team, until now.
“This pre-season he has looked very lively and very direct.
“He showed a lot of good touches today.
“I look at him as an Alan Shearer type; he has a touch and a whack at the goal.
“Quite a lot of times they go in the net.
“We are happy he is up to match fitness.
“He showed his ability tonight and hopefully we will see more of that.”
Brentford’s next game is away to Bradford City in League One on Saturday.
Alan said some of the players involved against Wimbledon had forced themselves in to contention, particularly as Brentford had injuries to some players who have played the majority of League One games so far.
He hailed the work of Academy Director Ose Aibangee and his staff that young players were now getting in to a position to play First Team football.
“Considering some of the injuries we have had of late, the players involved tonight who weren’t involved on Saturday start to come in to the picture,” he said.
“It is a good thing to have.
“We have the Academy to produce these players, and they are.
“It has taken some time to get to the position where we are starting to feed players for some fixtures in to the First Team.
“Some are doing better than others.
“I give credit to Ose and his team for their hard work; it is good to see the boys having the chances.”
Alan Kernaghan’s full post-match interview is available here for Bees Player subscribers.