Subscribe now to STFC Player for £4.99 until the start of the 2010/11 season and enjoy unrivalled coverage of Town's preparation for the new season. Click Here for more details.
In August, Town's Under 12 squad travelled to South Korea for a week long tour under the guidance of Centre of Excellence Director Jeremy Newton.
The youngsters took part in the 2010 Gyeongju International Youth Football Tournament, lining up against sides including Spanish outfit Vallodolid, and Hwarang from South Korea.
The trip came about as a result of Town's links with Korean football through Matt Simmonite of the British Study Centre, who provides language travel opportunities for teenagers and adults from their four year-round language centres and summer camps.
Having worked extensively in player representation in South Korea, Simmonite has close connections to the Korean Football Association and was delighted to offer the opportunity to his local side.
It proved a steep learning curve for the youngsters, who were defeated in all four of their matches, but Centre Director Newton took many positives from the week.
He told STFC Player: "It was a great tour and it taught us all a lot.
"It was great for everyone to have a good period of time together, and we're hoping to be invited back next year."
Below are full reports from the squad's matches in South Korea.
Monday 16th August 2010
Swindon Town 0 Greentown 1
Town's Under 12 squad were defeated in their opening game of the 2010 Gyeongju International Tournament, suffering a 1-0 reverse at the hands of Chinese outfit Greentown in Alcheon on Monday.
Before kick-off, both sides sung their national anthems, before exchanges medallions and readying themselves to perform in front a plethora of local television networks.
The Chinese side started the game the stronger, and put their substantial physical advantage to good use throughout the game.
Town 'keeper Jarred Thompson was called into action early on in the game, making an excellent save to prevent a powerful header from giving Greentown the lead.
The visitors then began to enjoy a little more possession later in the half, but still failed to create any clear cut chances thanks to the imperious Chinese defence.
Despite struggling in the first period, Town began the second at a much higher tempo, and looked much more likely to break the deadlock.
However, just as they began to gain confidence, Newton's side found themselves a goal behind, as the move of the match from Greentown was finished superbly with a shot from the edge of the box which gave Thompson no chance.
Town were taken aback by going behind, and despite going close to equalising on a number of occasions through Jordan Morris, they found the Chinese 'keeper in excellent form and were unable to get back on level terms.
After the match, Newton commented: "Greentown were a huge side and some of our lads looked tiny against them, so it was always going to be tough.
"The heat was also difficult for the lads to contend with, because it nearly got up to 90 degrees and was very humid. But we used roll-on, roll-off subs and took regular drinks breaks so the players dealt with it well.
"Overall I was pleased with the performance against a very strong team, and it was good that all of our 16 players got some match minutes, so we're looking forward to the next game now."
Tuesday 17th August 2010
Swindon Town 2 Hwarang 7
Town's Under 12s were beaten comfortably by South Korean side Hwarang in the second of their tour matches on Tuesday.
With temperatures soaring towards 100 degrees, and humidity set at 95%, it was a tough work out for Jeremy Newton's youngsters against a strong home side who eventually ran out 7-2 winners.
They were behind within two minutes when a defensive error was punished, leaving Town 'keeper Jarred Thompson with no chance, and three minutes later it was two as Thompson parried a shot well but could only watch as the loose ball was converted convincingly.
Two more goals followed before half time, and with Josh Coombes withdrawn with a nosebleed and Harry Hillerby having breathing problems, Town's day threatened to get even worse.
However, after a well earned half-time break in which the players consumed plenty of vital fluids, Town's performance began to improve at the start of the second half.
They pulled one back soon after the re-start, when the rejuvenated Coombes turned in a Jordan Young corner after Mac Dodson had won the initial header.
Despite this, the home side crushed any hopes of a comeback with two quick-fire efforts mid-way through the half, which took the sting out of Town's revival.
Harrison Williams notched the visitors' second of the game late on to give them something to build on ahead of Wednesday's clash with Japanese side Kashima Antlers.
After the game, Centre of Excellence Director Newton said: "We always knew the boys would struggle with the temperature and the conditions were very difficult.
"But we hung in there well, and all the boys got some game time which is good, though they were exhausted at the end!
"They will learn from these first two games and will take it into the next one against Kashima Antlers."
Wednesday 18th August 2010
Swindon Town 2 Kashima Antlers 5
Town's Under 12 squad suffered a 5-2 defeat to Japanese side Kashima Antlers on Tuesday morning.
Jeremy Newton's side started the game at a good tempo, moving the ball around nicely and seemingly coping well with the considerable heat.
They took a deserved lead after 10 minutes when midfielder Callum Gunner rifled Jordan Morris' cross into the top corner on the volley to cap an impressive start.
However, the enforced withdrawals of Jordan Young and Harry Hillerby with respective leg and head injuries disrupted the youngsters, and they were pegged back soon after the substitutions.
They reacted well though and were soon back in front through Harrison Williams, who latched onto Josh Coombes' through ball to slide home his second of the tournament.
Town went into the break with their lead intact, but a poor start to the second period ultimately cost them the game.
An early equaliser was followed by three quick fire blows form the Japanese side deflated Newton's side irreparably, and the rest of the match was played out with Town failing to add to their first half tally.
It was a disappointing end to a match that had started so well, but Centre of Excellence Director Newton was determined to take the positives from the encounter.
He said: "I was very, very pleased with the first half performance, and the boys looked as strong as they had done all tournament.
"But the second half couldn't have started any worse for us and the boys dropped their heads and it was difficult to come back after that.
"It's important the players learn that when we play teams from all over the world with the quality these teams have, that their mistakes will be punished as that has happened over the last three games.
"We're really looking forward the friendly match now and hopefully picking up our first win."
Thursday 19th August
Swindon Town 1 Real Valladolid 2
Town's Under 12 squad ended their trip to the far east with a 2-1 defeat to Spanish side Real Valladolid.
Jeremy Newton's side started the game impressively, sweeping the ball around nicely and looking the more likely of the two sides to break the deadlock.
However, they found themselves behind when a defensive mistake allowed Valladolid in to take the lead against the run of play.
And despite carrying on as they had started, Town somehow found themselves two goals behind on the stroke of half-time when another defensive mix-up saw the Spaniards extend their lead.
Newton's side then went on to dominate the second half, and deservedly pulled a goal back through a stunning long range effort from Josh Coombes, and despite failing to level the scores late on, Centre of Excellence Director Newton was pleased with his team's final performance.
He said: "It was a shame we couldn't get the equaliser but we were pleased with the player's performance, as it was their best game of the tournament.
"It's been fantastic to be together, and the KYFA have been brilliant with us.
"Next year the tournament is being extended to 16 teams, so will be bigger and better and we can't wait for that, should we come out here again.
"It's been a great experience for everyone, and one that will have benefited the players no end."
Swindon Town: Jarred Thompson; Jake Evans (capt), Alfie West, Sam Fletcher, Harrison Williams, Jack Stanley, Jordon Simpson, Jordan Morris, Mac Dodson, Harry Hillerby, Jordan Young, Tyreke Johnson, Tom Smith, Nathan Marks, Josh Coombes, Callum Gunner
