Town U18’s Boss Alan McLoughlin was full of praise for his charges following their emphatic 5-0 victory against Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
U16’s striker Elliot Duggan hit a superb hat-trick while Jordan Simpson and Tom Ouldridge were also on the scoresheet, leaving McLoughlin beaming.
“It was a fantastic all round performance,” he told swindontownfc.co.uk.
“Elliot Duggan scored three goals and he will be an U18’s player next season. He’s currently an U16’s player and he was actually released by Bristol Rovers a couple of years ago and I saw him and had no hesitation to bring him into the building.
“He scores goals, he’s got a lot learn but he did very well on Saturday and Jordan Simpson scored a great goal from a set-piece, which we have worked on constantly throughout the season.
“Tommy Ouldridge then completed the scoring with a fine individual goal, so overall it was a great all-round performance.
“We dominated possession, we were physically stronger and every facet of the game I was delighted with and at no point in the game was I worried.
“The fitness levels of the players were fantastic, Dan Watson and Tom Holmes have done great this year and we’ve managed the players really well.
“The players have worked really hard this year but that is football and you have to work hard, even now with one game to go because there is no let-up until the final kick of the final game.
“Once the season is done, once your job is done and once the work is done then you get your well-earned break.
“There is no downing tools and it is the same with me, everything has to be done at a tempo and at a pace.
“The players have been magnificent and it is the best group of players collectively that I’ve ever worked with in terms of their determination, their work rate, their endeavour, their appreciation of what we’re trying to and I would like to think that they have respected what I’ve said.
“You don’t make it in the game by having one good season or by training well for two weeks, you have to be consistent and players have to get out of their comfort zones and that’s what I’ve done with the boys this year.
“I’ve taken certain players to the next level and defensively we’ve got stronger as the year has gone on because I’ve had more time to work with the players.
“All I can do is to heap praise on my players and on my staff in terms of how they have worked this season and I’m looking forward to next year.
“I will also miss this group of players that I’m working with.”
McLoughlin also went on to heap praise on Scott Twine, who made his professional debut for Town during the 3-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic on Sunday.
“I have only worked with Scott this year and some elements of last year but he has been in the Academy since he was a young boy,” he added.
“He’s scored thirty plus goals this year and he deserved his opportunity. It is a credit to the Academy.
“Scott has been good enough since he was a boy and to make it all this way through the Academy is testament to Jeremy Newton and the previous coaches that have worked with Scott.”
Finally, McLoughlin also provided an update on some of the second-year scholars who will be leaving the club this summer.
“We mustn’t forget the boys who were released and Callum Gunner has signed for Bradford City, which is fantastic, Seb Martinez is currently training with Bristol City, Will Christopher has gone up to Partick Thistle, Christian Frimpong has had opportunities to go to other clubs and that will hopefully happen for him,” McLoughlin continued.
“James Georgaklis has been fantastic and Jack Stanley unfortunately got injured towards the end of the year, so it has made it a little bit difficult for him.
“I wish all the players the best of luck and they’ve been a credit. The boys have only lost four games since mid-October so to have that record is a credit to them.”