Cosgrove's Wimbledon Reaction

Sam Cosgrove’s time as an AFC Wimbledon player, on loan at the back end of last season, yielded just one goal.

In a 15-minute spell at Home Park on Wednesday night, Cosgrove scored three times to haul back Argyle deficit against the Dons, in the Papa Johns Trophy, and earn a penalty shoot-out.

During said contest, Cosgrove converted his penalty, and Argyle won the shoot-out 4-3, thus progressing to the competition’s quarter-final stage.

There were just 53 Wimbledon fans in the 1,747 in attendance for the game, but their catcalls got through to Sam, on the pitch. Those jeers certainly had an effect – but likely not the one they were intended to have.

“When you hear a few boos, it makes it extra special,” said Sam, after the game. “They’re the ones going out, we are the ones going through.”

Argyle are through, but it took them a while to get going. Kyle Hudlin’s double and an Ayoub Assal strike gave Wimbledon a 3-0 half-time lead, before Cosgrove’s treble levelled the game.

“The first half was way below performance,” said Sam. “There were some harsh words at half-time. Credit to the lads – and the fans, for sticking around and sticking with us. I’m buzzing that we turned it around.

“The first half wasn’t horrendous, we had some good spells, but we didn’t have the quality in the final third. Some lax marking at the back let them in for three goals. We had a tough task to turn it around, but we did it.

“When the first goal went in, I did have the feeling that we would go on to equalise and potentially win. I’m sure that was echoed among the lads as well.

“We seemed to get stronger, and they seemed to get a bit nervous. In the end they’ve crumbled, and we’ve walked away going into the next round.

“Penalties are never exciting, they are always nervy, but I’ve taken plenty in my time. I knew where I was going to put it and thankfully it hit the back of the net.

“A shout-out to Cal [Burton], who made a save and put them off. Job done, and onto the next round.

“This cup can be a slog at times, especially early in the season when there are group games, but now it gets serious. There is a decent carrot at the end for us, and the fans, and we’re going to do all we can to get us a trip to Wembley.