Swindon Town proud of their efforts despite defeat against ‘top side’ Norwich City in Carabao Cup first round
Paul Mullin of Swindon Town celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Carabao Cup match at Carrow Road, Norwich. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Swindon assistant manager Ben Futcher has spoken of his pride after the Robins made Norwich City work hard for their Carabao Cup first round victory.
The League Two side took the lead through an Olly Lancashire header in the 25th minute but the Canaries rallied to lead 3-1 at half-time thanks to goals from Cameron Jerome, Wes Hoolahan and James Maddison.
Swindon hit back in the 62nd minute through another header from a set-piece though, from the lively Paul Mullin, and City keeper Angus Gunn needed to make three good saves to prevent an equaliser.
“The lads were fantastic,” said Futcher, with manager David Flitcroft dodging media duties after the match.
“We were 3-1 down in the second half but the lads came out and gave it a right go and we had Norwich, who are probably one of the top Championship clubs, hanging on at the end.
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“Their keeper has made some fantastic saves and the gaffer and myself are so proud of the lads. They’ve come here and they’ve put on a really good show for the fans and for themselves.
“We’ve come up against a fantastic side and they showed a lot of respect towards us in the competition – they only made one or two changes from Saturday.
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“They probably have one of the best squads outside the Championship and when they are popping it, it is difficult so the lads regrouped at half-time, they got more on the front foot, we made a couple of changes with Paul Mullin moving into a more central position and we caused them a lot of problems then.
“It was a fantastic effort by the players. They are a top side, a top football club, but the lads have come here tonight and have shown what Swindon Town Football Club is all about.
“We were a bit unfortunate not to take it to extra-time or win the game.”
Both goals game from excellent free-kicks from the left from full-back Chris Hussey and Futcher admitted the zonal marking approach of Norwich head coach Daniel Farke was something they had targeted.
“We’ve known Hussey for a very long time and he works very hard on his delivery,” the Robins assistant continued, speaking to his club’s website.
“His set-pieces are probably as good as anything outside of the top flight, he’s that good, and we’ve got people who are willing to go and attack it.
“It is working well for us at the moment and every time we got a set-piece we looked a threat. Long may it continue.
“Norwich mark zonally so we worked on one or two things and luckily it paid off tonight.”
