Albion striker Ryan Longman admitted his first senior goal was a bittersweet experience after his AFC Wimbledon side shared eight goals with Plymouth Argyle in League One.
Longman had set up strike partner Joe Piggott for the Dons’ opener before grabbing their fourth goal in a 4-4 draw.
Piggott pinched the ball off a Plymouth defender before playing in the 19-year-old in. He took a touch before lifting it over the goalkeeper in composed fashion.
Longman, who has joined Wimbledon on a season-long loan, said, “I have never been involved in a game like that before and we probably should have won it.
“The result was bittersweet. I was happy to have got my first goal in professional football, but I was disappointed that we didn’t get the three points. Hopefully it’s the goal that can get my loan move really started.”
Asked about his celebration, Longman admitted it had been low-key.
“I just ran to the corner,” he said. “I was buzzing to get the goal but it’s almost difficult to remember because I was a bit overwhelmed by it.”
The Albion academy graduate is enjoying his time with Wimbledon, as he adjusts to a different mindset and approach to what he was used to in under-23 football.
“There’s a huge difference in the style of play and adapting to it is the big thing for me at the moment,” Longman added. “The more I play the more I will get used to the physicality. The first game against Northampton was a big shock.
“There’s a lot of intensity in training. For the players at Wimbledon it’s their livelihood, they’re playing to support their families so there’s definitely more of an edge to training.
“They want to do well. They’ve been involved in relegation battles in the past couple of years and they don’t want to be in one again this season. I want to help them get out of that and to move us up the table.
“It’s a good change for me. I am still developing obviously, but the focus is more on winning and getting the three points.
“The manager seems happy but he was a bit annoyed after the game on Saturday. We did well, but we shouldn’t have let the other team back into the game so I can understand his frustrations.”
Longman has been working alongside experienced Dons strikers Joe Piggott and Ollie Palmer, who have scored nearly 200 League goals between them.
He said, “It’s been good. On Saturday Ollie was giving me tips at half-time as to how to deal with their defenders.
“They’ve got loads of experience and are always showing me little ways to improve. It’s really helping me develop, my game is reaching a new level.”