Burton's Cheltenham Reaction

It may have been a little after 10pm on Tuesday night when Argyle were confirmed as being the first team to reach this season’s Papa Johns Trophy final, but a huge part of their victory can go down to some work done the previous morning.

Goalkeeper Callum Burton and goalkeeping coach Darren Behcet knew that there was a strong likelihood of a penalty shoot-out to conclude Argyle’s semi-final tie with Cheltenham Town, and prepared accordingly.

The pair went through Cheltenham’s squad of likely penalty takers, and decided in advance which way, if at all, Burton would dive should he face them.

After the game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes – Alfie May’s goal for Cheltenham equalised by a wonderful Ryan Hardie effort – it was down to kicks from 12 yards, and Burton’s chance to shine.

Shine he did. Both teams scored their first two penalties before Finn Azaz hit the post. Burton saved from former Pilgrim Ryan Broom and midfielder Elliot Bonds either side of Macaulay Gillesphey’s conversion, putting Argyle in the driving seat.

Jordan Houghton missed a chance to seal the victory, but Burton stuck out a hand to stop May’s spot-kick, and it was Argyle who were on their way through.

“I don't really want to be in this many penalty shoot-outs!” claimed Burton, after playing a part in the third shoot-out victory for Argyle in the competition this season.

“It's something we prepare for, especially in this cup with it going straight to pens. We've already had two this season, so we knew that it was a possibility and they made it tough for us to be fair. They made it hard all night, just like they did in the fixture at their place and here in the league, so we knew that it could come down to it.

“As a goalie department, we always take pride in looking at the penalties and making sure that if it goes down to those fine margins then we're prepared, we can look back at it and say we did our research. Ultimately, tonight, it's paid off.

“Yesterday we went through all the penalties. We like to choose a way the day before, because – just the same as if you're taking a penalty - if you're trying to save it you've got to go with conviction. By doing that little bit, it might give you an extra millisecond to get down to a pen.

“To be fair, the first two were really good pens. So were the others, but they went the same way that we thought they would on every one. Law of averages, you're going to get to a few.

“Credit to Daz; he takes big pride in it as well.

The win was sealed in front of over 12,000 inside Home Park, and Burton reckons that the atmosphere the Green Army generated, during the game and during the penalties, may have tipped the scales in the Pilgrims’ favour.

“I think it's one of the hardest places to come,” he said. “Credit to the fans that came out in numbers today. The way they supported us tonight was amazing. It gives you that extra per cent; it gets in their head when they're taking penalties. It helps us out. They definitely played a part tonight.

“I've never been to Wembley as a player, so for me, and all that lads who haven't, I think it's going to be special. It's the day out, the weekend out for everybody associated to the club: the fans, the players, the staff. It's something that you're lucky if you get once in your career.

“I know we'll take numbers there and sell out our allocation. I've got no doubt about that. It's going to be a brilliant day - I can't wait already for it.”