Town overcame plucky Brentford 2-0 in last night's Worthington Cup First Round Second leg, winning the whole tie 4-0 on aggregate. In an atmosphere much like a reserve game Town put in an understated performance scoring through James Scowcroft and Jamie Clapham.
Town made a few changes from Saturday with Richard Naylor, Mark Venus and Mick Stockwell dropping out and Jim Magilton, Wayne Brown and Fabian Wilnis starting. James Scowcroft moved into attack in Naylor's stead.
The game was a fairly evenly matched affair with Town rarely springing into life. In the first half the best chances fell to James Scowcroft, once putting over the bar from close and on 42 minutes tapping home a rebound after a save from a David Johnson shot.
The second half was more of the same and Town came close on a number of occasions. David Johnson made some strong runs at the defence and Manu Thetis made some excellent moves forward from defence. Town almost scored through substitue Jonas Axeldal in the dying minutes but he appeared to be obstructed by the goalkeeper as he tried to stab the ball home.
As injury time progressed Town were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area from which Jamie Clapham scored an identikit goal to his effort in the first leg. All that was missing was a hapless defender on the line.
Another victory then and a move forward in this trophy. Town's only worry seems toi be Jermaine Wright who picked up an ankle injury near the end and may miss Saturday's game at Sheffield United.
R Wright 8 Did nothing wrong
Wilnis 6 Poor first half
Thetis 7 Better from Manu
McGreal 8 Another strong performance
Brown 8 Excellent Worthington Cup debut
Clapham 8 Goal highlight of game, MOM for that alone
J Wright 8 Again looked good (Stockwell 64)
Magilton 6 Quiet, but nearer fitness
Holland 7 Another typical Matt performance
Johnson 8 Sharp, should have scored on a couple of occasions (Axeldal 82)
Scowcroft 8 Continues good start to the season (Naylor 59)