Swindon Town U18 boss Alan McLoughlin: Ollie Rejek will remember Youth Cup performance for life

Swindon's resounding 6-2 win over Newport County in the first round of the FA Youth Cup saw countless top performances, but under-18 boss Alan McLoughlin was most impressed with midfielder Ollie Rejek.

Town's Saturday afternoon win as eventful to say the least, as their tie at home to Newport saw eight goals and the young Robins were down to ten men as early as the 18th minute after a straight red card was shown to Jacob Bancroft.

Swindon were already 1-0 up by that stage as striker Sol Pryce bundled Town into an 11th-minute lead, and despite being down to 10, Swindon made it 2-0 through Rejek who scored an impressive effort off the underside of the bar following a Pryce pass.

Newport levelled the contest with two quick-fire goals shortly after the break, but Swindon did not crumble and fired back with four goals in the final 12 minutes to record what ended up being a comfortable 6-2 win.

Pryce and Rejek scored a brace each with further goals coming from Luke Haines and late substitute Teoman Atik.

"Ollie Rejek's second goal, you won't see a better goal at the County Ground this year," boss McLoughlin said at full-time.

"Overall, the quality of what we did in the last third of the pitch was very, very good. I'm happy with the players, happy with the performance and happy to be in the next round.

"I'm pleased with the people that turned out today as well, they sacrificed Soccer Saturday and ASDA and everything they might usually do on a Saturday," he joked.

He was completely serious in his praise for youngster Rejek in particular though, when the importance of creating good memories in the Youth Cup was discussed. 

"I've just said to Ollie Rejek, you'll remember this day for the rest of your life.

"I remember my very first game for Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup at Barnsley. It wasn't a great occasion for me, I gave away one of the goals and I was dropped for the next game!

"For these boys, lots of them are local boys, to go out on the County Ground to perform and perform well, that's what you want.

"We're trying to make young men of them and we're trying to guide them along the way, they won't forget this day, I'm delighted for everyone.

Swindon will now play Northampton in round two, a fixture that will also be played at the County Ground, with the date listed as Saturday, November 18 with a 19:00 kick-off time.