Swindon Town player ratings after 1-0 defeat to Exeter City

Town were behind after six minutes when Yanic Wildschut turned home a cross at the near post, but a very young Swindon side hung in the game and kept the score line very respectable.

So, how did the players get on during the game at the County Ground?

GK: Lewis Ward – 5

This game was the exact opposite of a classic, but Ward did still make two nice saves early on as the Grecians threatened to run away with it. His kicking was a little wayward as always, but he kept a young group in front of him organised.

Geneisni plays a pass (Image: Callum Knowles)

RB: Brooklyn Genesini – 6

After a few rough performances in this competition, there were some troubling early signs of Genesini being caught out of position. However, he recovered well and actually put on a good display and looked bright when he had space to carry the ball.

CB: Harrison Minturn – 6

This was a big night for Minturn against a very physical Exeter forward line and he stood up to that challenge well once again. He was thoughtful on the ball and played some nice passes, but ultimately neither side had a rhythm all night.

CB: Sonny Hart – 6

James Scott and Cheick Diabate up front is quite a test for a 17-year-old and Hart generally held his own. He was smart in knowing he couldn’t challenge them physically and he made sure he was always in the right position to prevent danger.

LB: Williams Kokolo – 5

This game was all about getting more fitness for Kokolo, so it is thumbs up all around for him coming through another game unscathed. He used his pace to good effect to cover behind and prevent a big chance, but he was largely going through the motions.

CM: Liam Kinsella – 6

Much like against Reading, Kinsella was the senior professional in the Swindon side who really looked like one. He was haring around, crashing into tackles, and generally being a nuisance and Swindon needed that bite. He will always be conservative with the ball, but he did well what he needs to do well.

Brown drives through midfield (Image: Callum Knowles)

CM: George McEachran – 4

McEachran playing in this game three days after being too injured to feature against Harrogate Town was a surprise. If the game was all about minutes, then much like Kokolo it was a success, but with Exeter having most of the ball, he was largely ineffective.

CM: Anton Dworzak – 5

Dworzak always puts himself about and is good with the ball, but after thinking he had a good cameo at Harrogate at the weekend, he was much less effective in this game. The side Exeter put out is a good barometer for league football and he struggled a bit with the physicality.

RW: Joel McGregor – 7

I have been impressed watching McGregor in the past and he was the pick of the youngsters last night. He, more than anyone in the Swindon team, was able to at times trouble Exeter with his ball control and ability to find space. He could even have had an assist with a nice cross to Hubbard.

ST: Miles Obodo – 5

I have seen Obodo play at the academy level, and he looks physically dominant against players his own age, but he has so far struggled to impose himself against senior defenders. Pierce Sweeney, Will Aimson, and Alex Hartridge is a very physical defence, and you hope he will have learned a lot from the experience as he is still very young for the level of first-team involvement he has had.

Hubbard has his shot blocked (Image: Callum Knowles)

LW: Fletcher Hubbard – 5

Hubbard had the only shot of the evening and despite looking very small out there, he was definitely not bullied and was willing to challenge for headers. This game was very tough for attacking players as you are feeding off scraps, so he never really got the chance to show his quality.

Subs:

Jaxon Brown – 6

Every time I have watched Brown, I have been impressed by him, he just has the aura of a footballer. His first touch is always good, and he tries to move forward whenever he gets it. There weren’t always those options to play to, but he is one I would like to see be given an opportunity with more senior players around him.

Harvey Fox – 5

Fox was very energetic when he came on and made a couple of nice runs up the flank when he had the opportunity to do so. Defensively, he was always in the right place as Swindon never truly looked in danger during his time on the pitch.

Josh Keyes – 5

Keyes came on as the game had almost completely petered out as a contest and so he had little opportunity to make his mark. He was tidy with what he did, but through no fault of his own, that was not a great deal.

Redman Evans – N/A

Finlay Adams – N/A