Paul Warne said he was annoyed with his MK Dons’ side for their first half performance in defeat to the West Ham U21s in the EFL Trophy.
The Dons fell 3-0 down to the junior team of the Premier League side at half-time, with West Ham later bagging 2 more in the second half to record a 5-1 win in each side’s first encounter of the EFL Trophy group stage.
Speaking after the game, Warne said he felt that the result was fair and that the first half was ultimately the part of the game that cost his side the most, with Warne labelling his side’s first half “embarrassing” and “horrific”.
He said, “A very fair defeat. I can’t say we were the better team – we definitely were not. Fair play to West Ham – they got among us really quick and every time they broke, it felt like it was going to go in. Every time bar 2, it felt like they did. They picked the right pass and were really clinical.
“I was embarrassed with our performance first half. I didn’t think we pressed with any intensity, didn’t think we tackled or made a foul, and that’s as far from a team I want to witness. Being honest, I just thought we were horrific first half. Second half, I really liked us, but it makes me even angrier because it makes me think they’ve just wasted 45 minutes of their careers.
“I appreciate we’ve got some young players in the team and it’s a good learning curve for them but I just didn’t think we played with any personality in the first half and that was what disappointed me.”
Speaking further about it, Warne felt that the first half was ultimately a display that hurt his team’s hopes of victory.
He said, “We were just disappointing first half. I just don’t think you can give any team at any level any start in any game and regrettably tonight, we did. That’s what disappoints me. I see what’s great in my players all the time and the young lads coming through and feel like collectively, we let ourselves down in the first half.
“At no time in the first half did I feel like we were in the game. We were on the pitch but not in the game. Scoreline aside, we’re always trying to increase performance levels but I didn’t feel like we were really in the game.”
On positives, Warne said he was happy that some players who have not been regular starters or struggled with injury got game time and that he was able to rest all 11 players who started the previous match at Chesterfield, but admitted there weren’t many more positives beyond that.
“The good thing was, which is a nice change, I think we got through the game without injuries. From a league basis, I’ve got players a little bit fitter. It’s nice to get Kane (Thompson-Sommers) back on the pitch – he hasn’t been in great nick.
“I didn’t risk any of the lads who started at the weekend so that was good, and obviously Collins, Aaron got some needed game time. So did Leko, so did Will (Collar). So in that respect, it’s good, but I manage this team, I want to see them win and perform at their best and tonight, for large periods of the first half, we just weren’t.”
Warne also reflected the nature of a team that featured 5 academy graduates, including 3 first-time starters, may have lead to a feeling of unfamiliar partnerships, but that he would not excuse a similarly slow start when the Dons welcome Accrington Stanley to Stadium MK on Saturday.
He said, “I thought we started well at the weekend. I don’t know if its because the team was hosh-kosh with lads that don’t train together and the whole relationship thing made it a little more difficult and maybe as the game went on, they became more comfortable with each other.
“So I don’t think it was an epidemic for us, just that maybe we collectively didn’t start as well. I’d be very disappointed if we started this way on Saturday and the players will be told that when we meet up again for training.”
A serving police officer has been charged with rape and sexual assault in a Milton Keynes hotel.
The charges relate to the rape and sexual assault of a woman at the Premier Inn on Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, on the evening of 17 December 2023. It was reported to Thames Valley Police on 11 July 2024.
It has since been confirmed that PC Thomas Irwin, aged 25, based at Reading police station in Berkshire, was arrested on 18 July and suspended.
On 22 August 2025, Irwin was charged with two counts of raping a woman aged 16 or over and one count of assaulting a female aged 13 and over by penetration.
Irwin was released on conditional bail and is due to appear at Luton and South Bedfordshire Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (18/9).
Milton Keynes City Council have unveiled plans for a week of showcasing technology next week.
Starting Monday 22 September, Milton Keynes Tech Week aims to bring together entrepreneurs, students, industry leaders and global businesses for events looking at artificial intelligence, robotics and emerging technologies.
Organised by Milton Keynes City Council, the programme builds on last year’s Artificial Intelligence Festival and will be even bigger, with speakers, demonstrations, conferences and an exploration of cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future all part of the events planned to take place around the city.
Highlights of the week include:
- Red Bull Racing will showcase cutting-edge technology behind F1 innovation, the RB17 hypercar and its unique combined operations, while inspiring future engineers.
- Cutting-edge approaches to technology and national security debated by experts from across industry and government.
- The official launch of New Meta – a chain of high-tech gaming hubs bringing next-level interactive play to Milton Keynes.
- The MK Business Leaders Tech Summit, delivered with partners including Bletchley Park and NatWest, tackling the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the UK tech economy.
Milton Keynes City Council said the week is to showcase the city’s technology sector.
They said, “Milton Keynes has one of the UK’s fastest-growing economies, worth over £13.3 billion annually, with more than 2,400 tech businesses generating £3.4 billion in GVA. One in three jobs in the city is now linked to tech, reinforcing MK’s reputation as a city where innovation is at the heart of growth.”
Tech Week opens at Bletchley Park, the historic home of codebreaking and the site of the UK’s first Global AI Summit, before further events roll out across the city. In a Smart City Robotics Competition at centre:MK, European university teams will test their robots in real-world challenges. There’s also sessions on the future of motorsport, AI in daily life, and a Dragons’ Den-style pitch event.
The leading names involved include Red Bull Racing and Technologies, Santander UK, His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre (HMGCC) and The Open University. They’ll be joined by ambitious new tech firms and industry specialists across multiple sectors.
Headline partners include The Open University, Santander and Cranfield University. Supporting partners include British Business Bank, HAYS, Smart City Consultancy, Bletchley Park, HMGCC, and Aiimi.
Further information can be found at: www.miltonkeynestechweek.com.
Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, said, “Milton Keynes is where the future is being designed and created. We’re really looking forward to showcasing what brilliant minds are working on in MK and the country in Tech Week, through a really exciting programme that ranges from robotics and AI to national security and gaming. Come along to learn why Milton Keynes is the UK’s home of technology and innovation.”
Police are appealing for witnesses following a burglary at a jewellery store in the centre:mk in Central Milton Keynes.
The incident happened around 11.20pm on Saturday (13/9), when two men on a white Lexmoto FMX moped forced entry to the centre:mk shopping centre.
Once inside, they broke into The Watch & Clock Shop on Deer Walk and stole jewellery worth more than £78,000.
The offenders are described as wearing black clothing, black trainers, black helmets and dark coloured gloves. One of the offenders is believed to be white, while Thames Valley Police confirmed they don’t as of yet have a detailed description of the second man.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Emily Sivyer said, “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed this burglary, or saw two men matching the above description in the area at the time, to please get in touch.
“Anyone with information can call 101 or make an online report via our website, quoting reference number 43250470295.
“Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website.”
Midsummer Place shopping centre in Milton Keynes have announced events to mark 25 years since opening.
The shopping centre will be hosting a 25th Anniversary Celebration that will take place on Saturday 27 September from 10am – 4pm.
Shoppers, families, and the local community are invited to join in to mark the occasion, with multiple free activities planned for visitors to the site.
Activities planned include:
- Face painting with colourful designs for children
- Stilt walkers delivering high-energy fun and spectacle
- Live music to set the perfect celebratory soundtrack
- Plus, plenty more surprises throughout the day
A special ceremony will also take place for everyone who shared their story with the Umbrella Project, where they will be presented with their very own umbrella from the art display as a thank you.
Simon Martin, Centre Manager at Midsummer Place, said, “We’re incredibly proud to have been part of Milton Keynes for 25 years.
“This celebration is our way of saying thank you to the shoppers, retailers, and community who have made Midsummer Place such a special destination. We look forward to welcoming everyone on 27 September for a day full of fun and festivities.”
The event is FREE to attend and open to all.
