Swindon Town began their Bristol Street Motors Trophy campaign with a 2-1 loss to League One side Exeter City at St James Park, but head coach Mark Kennedy remained positive about his team’s performance, despite the defeat.
In an evenly balanced first half, both sides had opportunities to take the lead. Swindon’s Jake Cain provided several dangerous crosses, but Kabongo Tshimanga and Aaron Drinan were unable to convert their chances. Exeter posed their own threats, but Tunmise Sobowale’s well-timed block denied Ben Purrington a clear shot at goal.
The game picked up pace after the break, with Exeter breaking the deadlock in the 64th minute when Ed Francis tapped in from close range. However, Swindon quickly responded just four minutes later as 19-year-old Joel Cotterill fired a powerful low strike from outside the box to level the score and secure his first goal for the club.
Swindon pushed for a winner, and goalkeeper Dan Barden made a crucial save to keep out Millenic Alli’s effort. But Exeter found a way through again with less than 10 minutes remaining, as Jack Aitchison’s shot into the top corner sealed the win for the home side, leaving Swindon to reflect on what might have been.
Despite the result, Kennedy was encouraged by his side’s overall display, applauding the players’ effort and determination. “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,” he told BBC Radio Wiltshire. “We’ll have lots of games, and we’re going to win games.”
However, Kennedy, who has a history of publicly calling out players from his time at Lincoln City, didn’t shy away from addressing key mistakes. “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,” he explained. “Those are the things I’d remember if we walked away, which is a shame because I thought some of the football was outstanding.”
Kennedy also questioned a late-game decision, where he felt a crucial opportunity to play the ball into the box was missed. “One thing I’m really big on, and it’s something a coach I worked with years ago, Mark Maddox, said to me: ‘The best players make the best decisions.’ Right now, we’re just making a few poor ones. 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. Honestly, if my seven-year-old did that, I’d be questioning him.”
The defeat means Swindon are still searching for their first win under Kennedy, with mixed reactions from supporters. While Kennedy saw positives in the performance, some fans voiced their frustrations on social media, with one remarking that the head coach “talks a good loss,” and another expressing concern about the team’s ongoing struggles to secure a victory.
Our View
Mark Kennedy’s post-match comments reveal a manager who believes in his team’s potential, despite a tough start. His willingness to call out errors shows he’s determined to iron out the mistakes that are costing Swindon results, but it’s clear he’s also keen to highlight the positives, especially in their attacking play. A manager who both encourages and criticises in equal measure can help a team grow, but it’s a fine line to walk when results aren’t going your way.
The frustration from fans is understandable—supporters want to see wins, not just hear about potential. However, if Kennedy’s side can build on some of the promising moments from this performance and cut out the errors he’s identified, Swindon could turn a corner soon. It’s still early days, but the upcoming matches will be crucial for the Robins to gain some momentum.
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