James Collins admitted he ‘couldn’t be prouder’ of his players following Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at League Two Port Vale in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.
Although Vale won the penalty shootout to earn the extra point, the Old Gold opened their group stage campaign with a draw and point on the road at Vale Park. And it was thanks to two pieces of individual brilliance that twice saw the youngsters into the lead, with Tom Edozie and Fletcher Holman scoring with sensational strikes. Holman’s goal came four minutes from time and although the visitors were unable to hold on for the win, head coach Collins has highlighted several signs, including defensive resilience against a men’s first-team, as positives to take moving forward.
On being proud of his team
“I couldn't be prouder of the boys - I thought we were excellent. I talk about how difficult these games are for under-21 players, young under-21 players, because you're playing against teams that are physically better than you.
“When you play teams who are physically better than you, life is tough, and I thought our boys stood up to it brilliantly. I thought they showed tonight, some of them, that they'll have good league careers, which is a big step for some of them.
“We’re disappointed not to hang on in the end to win the game because I thought maybe we just about deserved it with how we'd fought for the win, but 2-2 was probably a fair result.”
On two outstanding goals
“I didn't think we won it, because I knew they'd add about five or six on but it was a brilliant late goal to give us real hope - both goals were terrific goals and they're both capable of that.
“Fletcher's got a lot to do with his defending game intelligence, but he's got a special talent regarding scoring goals. He shows that in training every day. What he's got to do is make sure he gets on the pitch for longer so he can show that special talent, because sometimes it's hard to play him when he's not picking up the structure stuff we do.
“He's got to learn that, he's got to pick it up, and he's having a good go at that but what a nice night for him tonight to get that brilliant goal.
“Tom's capable of that. On Saturday, we gave him a specific role and I said to him, if he wants to stay in the team, he's got to do this role well. It was nothing glamorous, and he did it brilliantly, and that's what got him in the team tonight. That's what got him on the pitch to produce his talent.
“What a wonderful strike and a nice moment for him. They were two good goals and it was a pleasing performance.”
On the defensive resilience
“I thought they did that magnificently. I thought Fil (Mabete) was throwing himself around and he cramped. He made some brilliant blocks at the end and Alfie Pond did the same thing as well as Voicey (Caden Voice).
“Alfie White lasting as long as he did at right-back as a scholar who didn't know he was playing until today.
“They’re really good signs for the boys. We often talk about resilience, we often talk about the qualities and the psychological qualities you need to become league footballers, and today, I thought the boys showed them in spades.”
