During July, Town's Centre of Excellence took part in the 2010 Milk Cup in Northern Ireland, and enjoyed much success, finishing fourth in the tournament.

Below are match reports and images from the squad's games, including the 5-0 thrasing of Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheba, and the 3-0 semi-final defeat to Mexican outfit Cruz Azul.

Town 1-1 Cruz Azul, Monday July 26th 2010, Broughshane

Town's Centre of Excellence drew 1-1 with Mexican side Cruz Azul in their opening fixture of the 2010 Milk Cup at Broughshane on Monday afternoon.

Jeremy Newton's side went behind in the first half after a defensive error allowed a cross into the box, which was finished neatly, giving goalkeeper Connor Thompson no chance.

Seemingly galvanised by going behind, Town proceeded to go close on two occasions, through Conor Waldon and Jake Simpson, and claimed a deserved equaliser when frontman Cameron Gordon stooped to head a Mitchell Coombes corner into the net.

Town went into the break on top, but were soon pegged back early in the second half when defender Alex Bateman was sent off for two bookable offences.

The Mexican outfit then looked favourites to claim the victory, but a dogged performance from Newton's youngsters - including some great saves from 'keeper Thompson - saw them through for a draw.

Lone striker Connor Waldon even had a chance to win it late on, but headed narrowly wide from a difficult angle.

Swindon Town: Connor Thompson; Jack Smith, Mitchell Coombes, Alex Bateman, Luke Murden; Jake Simpson, Callum Marshall (Ricketts '40), Alex Bray (Shewry '54), Lee Marshall; Connor Waldon, Cameron Gordan (Britton '36)

Substitutes: Curtis Meare (GK), Jake Britton, Jordan Ricketts, Callum Shwery, Matty Jones, Jake Matthews

Town 4-3 County Londonderry, Wednesday 28th July, Castlerock

Swindon Town progressed through to the quarter final of this year's Milk Cup with a 4-3 victory over County Londonderry at Castlerock.

Jeremy Newton's side made the perfect start when an excellent cross from Mitchell Coombes evaded the goalkeeper and found its way into the net.

However, two individual errors close to half time let the hosts in twice to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

Newton's team talk had the desired effect as his side started the half much brighter and deservedly found themselves back on level terms early in the period when Cameron Gordon bagged his second goal of the tournament to make it 2-2.

But just as Town looked like going on to control the game, they found themselves behind again when a controversially awarded indirect free-kick inside the box was scrambled over the line.

It was then the turn of Town full-back Jack Smith to steal the limelight, as he rifled a 30-yard scorcher into the top corner to send the visiting bench into raptures, and provide the BBC Northern Ireland cameras with one of the goals of the tournament.

And just as the game seemed to be drifting towards a draw, Jake Simpson's deflected free-kick found its way into the corner of the net to see Town through to next round of the competition.

Town 5-0 Hapoel Be'er Sheba, Thursday 29th July, Coleraine

Swindon Town's Centre of Excellence squad progressed to the semi-final of the 2010 Milk Cup after demolishing Israeli side Hapoel Beer Sheba 5-0 in Coleraine.

Coaches Jeremy Newton and Tony Ricketts agreed that this was by far their side's best performance of the tournament to date, with four different players getting on the scoresheet.

Striker Connor Waldon bagged the first of his brace of goals early in the piece, after rounding the 'keeper to finish a neat passing move.

Centre-half Jake Britton doubled the lead moments later when he bulleted a Jake Simpson corner into the roof of the net to settle any latent nerves amongst the squad.

The side, comprised of a mixture of Under 14's, 15's and 16's, then began to pass the ball impressively and went into the break 3-0 to the good after midfielder Alex Bray rode two challenges and slammed a low shot into the bottom corner.

Any worries of a potential loss of concentration from the players were soon banished when Waldon notched his second of the game early in the second half, slotting a neat through ball from Simpson into the corner.

With the game won, Newton and Ricketts then took the chance to rest a few of their players ahead of Thursday evening's semi-final and gave some experience to the substitutes one of whom, Matty Jones, grabbed his opportunity with both hands, adding a fifth with a neat finish past the Israeli 'keeper.

Swindon Town: Connor Thompson (Meare '65); Jack Smith, Mitchell Coombes, Luke Murden, Jake Britton (Shewry '65); Jake Matthews, Jake Simpson (Jones '60), Alex Bray (Lee Marshall '65), Jordan Ricketts; Connor Waldon (Callum Marshall '70), Cameron Gordon

Substitutes: Curtis Meare (GK), Callum Shewry, Matty Jones, Lee Marshall, Callum Marshall

Town 0-3 Cruz Azul, Friday 30th July, Coleraine

Town's Centre of Excellence squad went out of the 2010 Milk Cup at the semi-final stage after going down to a 3-0 defeat to Mexican side Cruz Azul.

Despite a bright start to the game in which prolific striker Connor Waldon went close to putting Town in front, Cruz took the lead early on with a swift break and a neat finish past Town 'keeper Connor Thompson.

And it got worse for Newton's side on the stroke of half time when the Mexicans delivered a deep cross into the box which wasn't cleared, and was eventually forced over the line at the back post.

Town made a bright start to the second period but could not find a breakthrough, and as they chased the game they inevitably became more vulnerable, conceding a third late on to confirm their exit from the tournament.

After the match, Centre of Excellence Director Newton commented: "The lads are obviously very upset but myself, Tony Ricketts and everyone else involved are very proud of their efforts this week."

"The boys can also be very proud of what they have done, as they've achieved the second highest finish for any Swindon team in the last 12 years."

The youngsters went on to finish fourth in the tournament after going down 3-1 to local side Dundalk in the third place play-off.

Swindon Town: Connor Thompson; Jack Smith, Mitchell Coombes, Luke Murden, Jake Britton; Jake Matthews, Jake Simpson, Alex Bray, Jordan Ricketts; Cameron Gordon, Connor Waldon

Substitutes: Curtis Meare (GK) Alex Bateman, Callum Shewry, Callum Marshall, Lee Marshall, Matty Jones