Trophies Trophy News

Trophy News from United Kingdom

HANLON HOPING FOR MORE TROPHY GLORY

It doesn’t get much better than scoring the victory clinching goal in a Wembley final – just ask central defender Sean O’Hanlon, whose late header sealed Milton Keynes Dons’ 2-0 win against Grimsby Town in last season’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final.

O’Hanlon and his team mates, who followed their Wembley triumph by winning League 2 to complete a memorable double, step back on to the Trophy trail on Tuesday evening with a second round tie at home to Bournemouth.

And after been given a bye in Round One, former Swindon Town player O’Hanlon is hoping the Dons can defeat the Cherries to set themselves up for another run to the final. “It would be great to get to Wembley again,” says the 25 year-old defender.

“Last season’s final was a tremendous occasion for everyone involved with the club,” he adds, “and without doubt it was the highlight of my career so far. Playing at Wembley, scoring a goal and winning the match – fantastic!

“I’d love to think we can go all the way again and that’s the aim. Bournemouth will give us a tough time, that’s for sure, but we’ve got home advantage and if we can make that pay then our Wembley memories will hopefully help us through future rounds as well.”
Since winning the Trophy and clinching promotion the Dons have had a change of manager, Roberto di Matteo having replaced Paul Ince following Ince’s move to Blackburn Rovers, and there have also been a number of changes to the playing squad.

But despite any disruption that may have been envisaged at Stadium:mk, the Dons sit just two places and two points below the Play-Off positions as they turn their attention from League 1 to the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

O’Hanlon says: “We’re still finding our feet in League 1, and although we’re pretty well placed after nine games we’ve not yet got the consistency we’re looking for – we win a game, lose the next one, win the next one, and that’s how it’s been all season so far.

“But the manager has got us playing some good stuff and the new lads in the squad are settling well. And we’re going into the Bournemouth game on the back of a great 4-0 win at Millwall on Saturday.

“Once we get some consistency in our performances I think we can really push on. After being promoted it’s not just survival we’re after, we want another promotion – and if we could do that and get to the Trophy Final again it would be another fantastic season.”

Originated from The Football League, U.K.