Stevenage boss Dino Maamria has said his young, inexperienced Checkatrade Trophy side will learn from their heavy defeat by Charlton Athletic on Tuesday evening at the Lamex as he readies his first team for their crucial League Two match at Newport County AFC on Saturday.

Fifth placed Boro travel to Rodney Parade to take on the Exiles who are third in League Two as Maamria aims to continue his side’s good run of form in the fourth tier.

With three league wins from their last five matches Maamria wants his first XI to continue their impressive progress, even if the young starlets he picked for the match against the Addicks did not impress.

Former Leyton Orient left wing-back, Toby Stevenson scored a hat-trick on his professional debut for Lee Bowyer’s side as further goals from Darren Pratley, Nicky Ajose, Igor Vetokele and a brace from George Lapslie ensured an emphatic win for the League One side to go top of South Group G.

Maamria made nine changes to the team who defeated Colchester 3-1 at the weekend with Will Appleyard, John Hunt, Mark McKee, Emmanuel Sonupe, Arthur Iontton, Donovan Makoma, Andronicos Georgiou, Danny Newton and Luke Wilkinson all coming into the starting line-up for Seny Dieng, Michael Timlin, Scott Cuthbert, Joel Byrom, Alex Revell, Ben Kennedy, Steve Seddon, Kurtis Guthrie and Ben Nugent.

Speaking to CometSport the dignfied Maamria said: “It’s very disappointing. Our young team didn’t do very well. But it’s a big learning curve for us. They need to be better than that.

“This competition throws up results like this. Swansea sent a young team to us in August and we scored five against them and it could have been more.

“It’s the nature of this tournament. I thought we should have done better. It’s not got for the club or the badge. I expect better.

“We gave away sloppy goals. Three goals in ten minutes knocked their confidence.

“But we’re using this competition as a proving ground for young players and a way of picking up experience. We’ll learn from it.

“The young players will learn from it. I want to use this competition to improve our young players.”

It was a deeply disappointing evening for Maamria and his young side as they had hoped to build on their impressive 5-0 win over Swansea U21s in August, but the North Herts youngsters were outclassed by Bowyer’s side, who clinched a club record victory.

However, Boro’s first team will now be looking towards Newport as they aim to add to their excellent league form.

Maamria added: “They are young players and they’re learning. They will improve from this, I’m certain of it. It wasn’t a lack of character. It’s a learning curve. We’ll anaylse the game and move on. From now on all I’m thinking about is Newport. I feel bad because we lost the game but we’ll move on. It’s a learning curve. I’m believe in what we’re doing.

“I took Danny Newton off at half-time because I want him for Saturday against Newport. What is important is Saturday. That’s our bread and butter and that’s our focus. This defeat will not affect out momentum. Absolutely not.

“Forget the scoreline for a moment. I was looking at my players to see which of them were still battling. I want players who try their best and still keep going. I don’t like players who give in. That’s not in the nature of my teams and this club. Three or four of my players did well. We had a discussion in the dressing room and it will stay there.”

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