The U20s finished their Development League campaign on Thursday night. The youngest ever AFC second string side fielded in a competitive game helped the young Dons to third spot in the table after a 1-0 win over Ross County. Paul Sheerin spoke to RedTV after the game: 

“I am really really pleased. It is great to finish the campaign on such a positive note with so many young players in the side.

“It is exciting. Really exciting.

“There have been negatives this season but that is probably the biggest positive. Last game of the season, to get the young ones involved. When you let boys go you lose numbers and were missing a few big players for us – Joe Nuttall, Scott Wright and Frank Ross. Massive players for us so we had to call on 14, 15 and 16 years olds to come in. I thought everything about it was really good.

“Some of the play in the first half was excellent. And in the second half the players were asked to dig deep as they were put under pressure. We have lost a number of late goals this season but to hold onto a 1-0 lead with such a young side was very pleasing. They stood up to it brilliantly.

“Seeing the young ones coming through is very exciting. It shows you the work that is being done in the Academy. Neil Simpson, Gavin Levey and Scott Anderson at his level, they are all doing a great job.

“It really bodes well for the future.

“As well as the young boys, the older ones really helped them. They were amazing. Scott McKenna was everything you would expect from Scott, he was a colossus at the back.

“Daniel Harvie and Dylan Thomas also come into that category. They all did there bit.

“Aaron scored a good goal. He always has great movement. He gets himself in some really good areas. His energy levels are unbelievable. He has been injured all week, so for him to dig as deep as he did tonight was very pleasing. We just question his tidiness in possession and when he gets into good areas. We have asked him to have more of an end product and we are starting to get it.

“David Craddock also produced an excellent save at the end. They worked a corner really well and we got caught. David’s concentration levels were very good because he did not have a lot to do. When he was called upon it was a crucial save at a crucial time.

“The season has been tough.

“We had nine or ten injuries at the start of the season. That was just in the 20s squad. So the early part of the campaign was very difficult. It has been a really transitional season because the manager also trimmed his squad which meant there were less players available to step down to play at our level.

“Overall it has been a real learning curve for the younger ones which will hopefully stand us in good stead for next
season.

“I said to the boys in the dressing room afterwards that I am really excited by that performance but it is still very early. They cannot take it for granted that it will just happen for them. They have to keep working at their game. They have to keep working hard. Every game they have to produce the same work ethic as they did tonight. They have to keep that going. They have to keep learning from those around them.

“But potentially really really exciting.”