Swindon Town started their Youth Alliance Division journey with a 2-0 loss to Exeter City at the Cliff Hill Training Ground.
The young Town side had a strong first half against Exeter, looking the more threatening of the two sides for the majority of the first 45.
Unfortunately, a red card given to Josh Keyes in the 36th minute then changed the dynamics of the game going into the second half.
Exeter were able to score halfway through the second half after an impressive block only found a fortunate forward at the back post who poked it home from close range.
It only took the hosts another six minutes to double their lead with an impressive, curled finish into the bottom left corner, leaving Swindon with plenty to do for the final minutes of the game.
Although the match ended in defeat, there were “plenty of positives to take out of the game” as lead professional development phase coach Sean Wood explains.
He said: “On another day the lads take them opportunities”.
“I’m really glad about how the lads stuck to the game plan within the first half but unfortunately the red card changes the complexion of the game.”
