Match report: Swindon Town 0 - 2 Crystal Palace U21s

A match report from Swindon Link's STFC correspondent Alfie Howlett.

A spirited Swindon fell to a two-goal defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace's brightest youngsters on Tuesday night.

A brace from John-Kymani Gordon including a wonder goal on 71 minutes denied a much changed Town side who had struck the post on various occasions.

In their first slice of action in the Papa John's Trophy, Scott Lindsey gave opportunities to the fringe members of the squad. After a lengthy injury to Palace's David Omilabu, Remeao Hutton forced Swindon's first corner of the evening. It saw the skipper for the night Mathieu Baudry volley an effort over the bar. Then a flurry of action involving Tryrese Shade would follow.

Firstly on 17 minutes after working the room for a shot Shade sent an effort over. Two minutes later Shade would go closer, this time shaving the post with a curling effort. With 21 minutes on the clock Shade found himself in behind the Palace back line only to have the ball nicked away from him on to the woodwork.

Then on 24 minutes Shade turned on the edge of the box and had a strong effort denied by Joe Whitworth. It's fair to say that the Town number 28 was a shining light often mesmerising the spectators with his trickery.

Just prior to the conclusion of the first half Lewis Ward was on hand to deny Victor Akinwale one on one saving his effort for a corner. It brought the two sides in level at the interval.

The second half saw Town once again find the woodwork seven minutes in. After tricking his way into the box Ronan Darcy struck the post with his right footed effort. Then just five minutes later Swindon would yet again find the perimeter of the goal when Ricky Aguiar's long range effort reverberated off the post.

The hosts were certainly in the driving seat and just past the hour mark Mathieu Baudry sent a header over from close range following a set piece routine.

However despite Town's dominance, it would be the visitors who opened the scoring. A loose Lewis Ward pass on 71 minutes found John-Kymani Gordon. From about 23 yards the 19-year-old curled one of the finest most purest strikes I've ever seen into the top corner.

Not only did it come against the run of play, but in an incredibly ordinary match it was an extraordinary goal. Swindon came close to levelling the contest moments later when Joe Whitworth tipped over Aguiar's free kick.

But the second goal would go the way of the visitors four minutes from time. A free kick routine was worked out wide to John-Kymani Gordon. There the number 40 worked his way into the box cut in and curled a powerful effort underneath the dive of Lewis Ward. It gave Palace top spot in Group M of the Papa John's Trophy.

Next up for Town is a return to league action as they make the trip to Gillingham on Saturday 3 August.