Town’s U18’s Manager Alan McLoughlin was delighted with how the club’s younger players equipped themselves against Chippenham on Tuesday evening.
With the first-team given a night off, a very young Reds side was sent to Hardenhuish Park and they produced a dream first-half performance, leading 3-0 at the break thanks to goals from Jesse Starkey, Tom Smith and Scott Twine.
And McLoughlin, who oversaw the game, felt that his young charges made a positive impression on the first-team management staff who were in attendance.
“I’ve learned from the game that the young players have adapted well to what the manager and the first-team staff want,” he said.
“There were a lot of young players out there on Tuesday, a lot of second-year scholars, and they have realised what is required if you want to impress the manager.
“I thought we were excellent in the first-half, we were aggressive in our play and we took our chances well.
“We always knew that Chippenham would get a rocket from their manager at half-time, but the boys dug-in and considering that we only had half a training session before the game, I was really pleased with them.
“I didn’t think we would perform as well as that if I’m honest in terms of how we got about the pitch and their knowledge.
“It is a very tough place to come and I’m just delighted for the boys.”
There were a number of impressive performances and McLoughlin had particular praise for Tom Smith and Ellis Iandolo.
“They are pushing for places in the first-team,” he added.
“I thought Tom was excellent, Ellis was excellent and everyone put a shift in.
“The manager has probably got a team in mind for Saturday and going forward but, certainly with the amount of games in the early part of the season, he’ll be pleased with the players on Tuesday.
“These boys will be hoping to be involved on Saturday but if they aren’t they shouldn’t be disappointed because they’ve put a marker down and they’ve given the manager food for thought.”
