West clubs take the positives after Papa John’s Trophy exits

SWINDON Town assistant boss Scott Marshall was quick to take the positives despite crashing out of the Papa John’s Trophy with a 2-1 home defeat to Colchester United on Tuesday.

Two Luke Chambers’ headers inside the opening 11 minutes did the damage as the Robins crashed out in the round of 32 at the County Ground.

Romoney Crichlow-Noble, making his first start for a month, pulled one back in first-half stoppage time.

But the hosts’ youngsters didn’t have enough impetus to send the match to penalties.

“We’re disappointed to go out of the competition,” admitted Marshall. “But in terms of positives for our young players, they got a fantastic experience. Some of them got their second taste of senior football, and their understanding grows a little bit more. From there, they’re probably learning a lot more from this evening.

“As we’ve said all the way through, it’s good to see the lads who are regularly in and around the squad competing at a good level.”

The Robins side lacked experience as key players were understandably rested for the club’s promotion tilt.

Town’s starting line-up consisted of six faces under the age of 23 as Ben Garner gave his young guns an opportunity to impress.

And Marshall added: “We had a couple of great chances at the end – their goalkeeper has made a couple of good saves – we probably deserved a little bit more.”

Town’s focus quickly shifts to the FA Cup with a trip to Walsall on Saturday.

Meanwhile, League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers also exited the Papa John’s Trophy, defeated 4-1 on penalties by Chelsea Under-21s after the game had finished 1-1 after 90 minutes.

The first half lacked intensity and was short of chances but Forest Green started the second period brightly, and Josh March gave Rovers the lead in the 64th minute with a delicate lob over Lucas Bergstrom.

However, from the kick-off, Chelsea equalised as Rovers missed numerous chances to clear the ball, allowing Tariq Uwakwe to run into the box and finish into the corner.

“There are three mistakes for every goal you concede,” said Rovers boss

Rob Edwards. “Maybe there were 33 there.”

In the shootout, Rovers’ third of the competition, March scored from the spot, but Matty Stevens and 18-year-old Harvey Bunker saw their penalties saved by giant goalkeeper Bergstrom.

Academy graduate Bunker recalled from his loan spell at National League South outfit Chippenham Town earlier this month put his hand up to take a spot-kick.

Chelsea scored all four of their penalties - as the 2018 semi-finalists progressed to the round of 16.