By Rob Cornell
Young midfielder Anthony Hartigan was very pleased to make his senior competitive debut for AFC Wimbledon last night and admitted he'll learn from it.
"It was enjoyable, but it was tough at the same time" said Anthony (pictured) in his first interview to our iFollow Dons premium channel. "I was getting cramp in places I haven't had cramp in before!"
"It's just good to get out there with the first-team and get a good run-out and hopefully it will be the first of many, but I just have to keep going and push on now," he added, having played the full 90 minutes and extra-time after the 3-1 defeat to Brentford in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
"I found out in the afternoon after the pre-match meal that I'd be playing. It's a proud moment for me and I'm thankful that the gaffer gave me a chance to play after Jimmy (Abdou) and 'Trots' (Liam Trotter) picked up injuries it was good for me to get a run-out. It's a disappointing result, but was a massive learning curve."
The Academy product, who signed his pro deal on his 17th birthday this year and became the first player born in the 21st century to do so with the Dons, learnt a vital lesson which he's keen to put right if given further opportunities in the future.
"For me, at the end, especially the last goal was my fault. I think that next time I flick it on or get my body in the way, so that they don't score the goal and it keeps us in the game," said Anthony.
The full interview with Anthony Hartigan and the post-match thoughts of manager Neal Ardley are available to subscribers of iFollow Dons. Highlights of the game are now on iFollow and extended highlights of the Brentford game will be available from midnight.