Striker Kyle Hudlin hailed the team spirit within our squad after we extended our unbeaten run to ten games.
The giant front man scored the only goal of the game, his second for the Dons, to see off last season’s Papa John’s Trophy runners-up Sutton United in a derby under the lights of Plough Lane to reach the last sixteen.
“The spirit is unreal,” said Kyle. “I think it’s a match to whatever I’ve had before. Everyone is so close, and I feel like it’s really showing now. I’ve just been waiting for it to click, and I really believe it’s starting to click now. That’s ten unbeaten and the spirit within us and how close we are together is really shining out there on the pitch.”
Kyle had to be patient to get ninety minutes, in what was only his twelfth appearance for us on loan from Championship club Huddersfield Town. Ethan Chislett, Ayoub Assal and Josh Davison have all been finding the net on a regular basis recently.
“That’s football,” said Kyle. “You’ve just got to keep plugging away, doing the extras and just make sure you can maintain your high standards to your highest possible ability and be ready to be called upon. I feel like I was on this occasion.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity. I’m glad I can go out there, showcase my ability and finish off the night with the winning goal. It was a nice build-up and a great ball from Jack Currie, and I was lucky enough to be in that position to finish it off for the real moment of quality shown throughout the game.”
“I think I got my first cramp after 65 minutes! I looked up and thought I’ve just got to push through. I’m glad the boys just carried me through it.
“I know Sutton from the National League. They’ve always been the same. They’ve been strong, structured, direct and really physical. You have to stand up to it and that’s what we did. It was really well led from the back line to the front. I felt Alex Pearce, mixing the experience with the youth, really showed that and it gelled together well.”
Somewhat frustratingly, Kyle will have to miss our attempt to reach the FA Cup third round at home to non-league Chesterfield this Saturday, as his parent club don’t want him involved in the tie.
“It’s a bit frustrating,” said Kyle. “As a footballer you always want more minutes, but I always bide my time. I believe it’s for a good reason on their behalf and it’s something I can’t affect. I’ve just got to see it through, support the boys, be there Saturday for them as they aim to get through to the next round.”
Photos: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images).
You can see the full interview with Kyle Hudlin below, via the link to our official YouTube channel.