FA Youth Cup: Swindon Town (8) 2-2 (7) Forest Green Rovers

Jimmy Ball expressed his pride in the Forest Green Rovers U18s, as they bowed out of the FA Youth Cup first round after a penalty shootout with Swindon Town.

Rovers took the lead twice in normal time, but we pegged back on both occasions before an extensive penalty shootout settled the result.

Harvey Bunker opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark as he finished off a brilliant team move in emphatic fashion, but an equally impressive finish saw the Robins back on terms moments before the break.

Rover regained control of the encounter after Joe Jeremiah smashed home in the second half, but with less than 10 minutes to play, Swindon equalised once more.

After a quiet extra time, the hosts came out on top, slotting home the final penalty to end things 8-7 from 12 yards.

Rovers looked the better side for much of the encounter, and boss Jimmy Ball was impressed with aspects of his side’s showing.

“I was really pleased with parts of the performance, but we definitely had chances to win the game,” he explained.

“We went in front twice and didn’t control it as we’d like to. That’s the excitement of youth football, especially on a stage like this.

“It’s a little bit disappointing to come away with nothing, but these kids have to get into situations like this, so they know how to deal with them in the men’s game.

“Hopefully we grow from this because there is some talent out there.”

It was Rovers’ first goal that stood out as a crowning movement, Bunker finishing a delightful move after 28 minutes.

 “Our first goal was a wonderful gal and it belongs on a showreel somewhere.”

“It was a great bit of football and some patient interplay saw us cut through them before Harvey Bunker’s fantastic finish.”

“It’s what we work on in training so it’s fantastic to see it executed so well this evening.”