Swindon Town’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy campaign began with a 2-1 defeat against League One side Exeter City at St James Park, but head coach Mark Kennedy was upbeat about the performance despite the result.
The game remained goalless in the first half, with both teams creating opportunities. Swindon’s Jake Cain delivered dangerous crosses for Kabongo Tshimanga and Aaron Drinan, but neither could convert. Exeter also threatened, but Tunmise Sobowale’s crucial block denied Ben Purrington a clear chance.
The second half saw more action, with Exeter breaking the deadlock in the 64th minute. Midfielder Ed Francis capitalised from close range to put the home side in front. Swindon responded swiftly just four minutes later, as 19-year-old Joel Cotterill produced a stunning low strike from outside the box to level the score and notch his first goal for the club.
Swindon looked to push on, and goalkeeper Dan Barden made a key save to deny Millenic Alli and keep his side in the game. However, with just under 10 minutes remaining, Exeter’s Jack Aitchison struck the winner, firing into the top corner to secure all three points for the home side.
Despite the result, Kennedy was pleased with his side’s overall performance, praising their spirit and fight.
“Really pleased (with the performance), but we’ve lost, admittedly against a very good side. I said to the guys after the game, it’s great coming in saying, ‘well done, brilliant, really good football.’ I really feel we’ve started to build something positive. We’ll have lots of games, and we’re going to win games.”
However, Kennedy, who left Lincoln City after calling a player out in a post-match interview, went on to call players out in the post-match interview.
“As someone who’s a lot older than the players, if I was watching the game in the stands, I’d remember two things: we didn’t react to a short corner quick enough, and the centre-half tried to step in and win the ball when he shouldn’t have. Both ended up in goals. I said to the guys, those are the things I’d remember if we walked away, which is a shame because I thought some of the football was outstanding.”
He then went on to question a late moment, where he felt a ball should have been played into the box.
“One thing I’m really big on, and it’s something a coach I worked with years ago, Mark Maddox, said to me, which I’ve never forgotten: “The best players make the best decisions.” Right now, we’re just making a few poor ones.
For example, we’re in injury time, on the halfway line, and we send all our big men up—it’s got to go in the box. What do we do? Wow. Wow. Honestly, if my seven-year-old did that, I’d be questioning him.”
The defat leaves the Robins looking for their first win under Kennedy, and while he believed the performance was, in patches, outstanding, some Robins fans seemingly disagree. One supporter on social media claimed the head coach ‘talks a good loss’ while another said the club cannot keep losing games.
The pick of their responses is below.
He talks a good loss….im really hoping it comes together like all of us. They have potential up front but defence is very poor at times ⏲️ 😢
— Andy Carn (@AndrewCarn1) September 4, 2024
I get that he has to focus on the positives but you can’t keep losing games while saying the team “played well” and “looked great”.
— The Nacho Man Andy Cabbage (@spicebags69) September 3, 2024
We wasn’t excellent, we were sloppy and lack creativity and the ability to score
— Hank (@Hank_OmH) September 3, 2024
Chances don’t give you points though. Goals do
— Becky Lawrence (@beckylawrence11) September 4, 2024
Oh bore off
— Quincey (@danquince2) September 3, 2024
Ardiles, Hoddle, Macari (at times), Dicanio, Wellens, even Wilson, Garner and Cooper…..Some of that football was outstanding. None of this has been.
— Lest we forget (@TrevorSTFC) September 4, 2024
Play well – lose
Play badly – lose
More possession – lose
Less possession – lose
League – lose
Cup – lose
5-3-2 – lose
Other formations – lose
Will to live watching Swindon – lose— Mr Liebour Man (@Mr_Liebour) September 3, 2024
Sleepwalking
— LouELad (@LouELad1) September 3, 2024
Honestly I can’t see us standing a chance of getting a win until at least November at this rate
— Aidan (@AidanAS2001) September 3, 2024
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