Swindon the victors in their final group game of the Papa John’s Trophy, although the 1-0 win was not enough to see us through to the next round.
Substitute Tom Broadbent’s injury-time winner meant Town took all three points but a win by two or more goals were needed to have a chance of progressing.
First-half:
It was very much a dominant first forty-five minutes with Town having the majority of clear-cut chances, but no goal to show for it.
The first of those chances fell to Jordan Stevens who was found by Matt Smith, but the Leeds United loanee couldn’t manage to find the net after a finger-tip save by Thomas.
Just before the twenty minute mark, Town were forced into making their first substitution when Ellis Iandolo went down and looked to be in some serious pain. The extent of his injury is not known yet. Tom Broadbent was the man to replace him for the remaining seventy minutes.
Half-way through the first period, Town went almightily close again, Stevens once more the danger but his left-footed strike cannoned off the foot of the post and back out.
Just before the half, an in-swinging corner threatened the Town box and it would have been 1-0 to the hosts if it wasn’t for Joe Fryer, saving magnificently to his right from a Forest Green header.
Second-half:
After the break, Town started in exactly the same fashion as the first, with a high intensity but again the goal lacking.
Jonny Smith creating a lot of chances on the right flank and had the ball in the net on fifty-two minutes but the assistant referee had his flag in the air and the goal was disallowed.
Brett Pitman had a couple of chances to put Town ahead but Thomas was incredibly stubborn in the Forest Green goal, saving well on numerous occasions.
Deep into injury time, Broadbent broke the deadlock after getting on the end of a Matt Smith corner, giving Town a thoroughley deserved win.
However, the boys didn’t manage to secure a win by two clear goals and therefore cannot progress to the next round irrespective of Exeter’s result against West Bromwich Albion Under 21’s.
