Under-21s striker Fletcher Holman believes the group are ‘learning and developing every day’ after beating Oldham Athletic on penalties in the National League Cup.
Holman scored twice for James Collins’ side in the 2-2 draw at Boundary Park on Wednesday night, before the Old Gold secured the additional group stage point after scoring all four of their spot-kicks. Speaking after the game, Holman admitted that the competition is an important one for the youngsters because it gives them a platform to showcase their ability and go head to head with a men’s first team outfit.
On the game overall
“I thought for the first 15/20 minutes, we dominated the ball. We used the wide slide up very well and got in behind a few times, and probably should have scored two quite early on.
“I'm a striker and I want to score goals, so I tried not to miss the third one and put the ball in the back of the net to level the game.
“Then I thought for the last 25 minutes of the first half, we sort of settled down a little bit and then we conceded two pretty naff goals.
“It's the game and we're learning and we're developing every day, so we've got to get better at it.
“I was lucky enough to get through in the second half, and took my chance quite well. Then obviously winning on penalties and I thought overall we did really well.”
On where the team gain advantages
“With these sorts of games, you’ve just got to understand what teams strengths are, what teams weaknesses are.
“We came into the game knowing that the set pieces were going to be very difficult. It's going to be a challenge and we had to rise up to it.
“We also knew that athletically, they'd be a bit slower than us. They wouldn't think as quick as us, and we had to use it to our advantage.”
On producing on this stage
“In these games, you never know who's watching and what it could produce for you in the future.
“You’ve just got to come into these games with a positive mindset and know that you’ve left everything out on the pitch, because you never know what could change in January or at the end of the season.
“You’ve just got to work hard and leave everything out in the pitch.”
On playing in these competitions
“It’s men's football, so it's completely different to academy football. We have to rise up to the test and produce performances like we did tonight.
“Hopefully that will now push us on to continue in our good form in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy and in this competition.”
