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Notts County 1-0 Swindon: Consistency shows its ugly head in back to back defeats

Nov 262012

It’s now back to back defeats for Swindon after Tuesday night home defeat to Brentford and on Saturday the Robins lost 1-0 away at Notts County thanks to a goal in the twenty-seventh minute from Alan Judge.

Alan McCormack returned to the starting XI and replaced Nathan Thompson at right back; Danny Hollands, Gary Roberts and Chris Martin were all dropped to the bench and were replaced by John Bostock, Raffa De Vita and Andy Williams who returned to the starting line up after picking up a knee injury a week ago against Yeovil.

Notts County had the first opportunity of the game when the lively Alan Judge cut in from the left and hit a low shot which was comfortably saved by Wes Foderingham.

Swindon then had a chance to open the scoring when Alan McCormack hit a long diagonal free kick which found Raffa De Vita at the back post but James Collins could only slide the ball wide of the goal.

Former Swindon left back Alan Sheehan then tested out Wes Foderingham with a twenty five yard free kick which was tipped over the bar.

Another Sheehan free kick had the Swindon defence in problems and the ball fell to Neal Bishop who on the angle of the six yard box had a goal bound shot which was blocked by Foderingham, who was keeping his side in the game.

At the other end, John Bostock picked up on a defensive mistake and the ball fell to James Collins who played in Andy Williams on the left hand side and his curling effort was parried away by the Polish keeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

Matt Ritchie then played a lovely cross field ball to Raffa De Vita who then crossed in for James Collins who poked the ball goal wards but his effort was brilliantly tipped on to the post by Bialkowski.

The opening goal of the game and the only goal came after twenty seven minutes when Alan Sheehan played a long ball to Chris Iwelumo who knocked down the header to Alan Judge who then hit a brilliant effort which swerved into the corner from twenty five yards out and it left Wes Foderingham flat footed.

Moments later Swindon had a goal disallowed when Andy Williams left footed cross from the right hand side was headed in by James Collins but it was ruled out for offside.

The second half was played at a less tempo and Notts County nearly made it 2-0 but was denied with a brilliant diving safe by Wes Foderingham, Chris Iwelumo header was instinctively parried away by the former Crystal Palace keeper.

Bartoz Bialkowski then pulled off two really smart saves to deny Swindon the equaliser, first he denied Matt Ritchie whose left footed effort was parried away. Then from a Ritchie corner, Darren Ward had a header from the back post which was goal bound was clawed away by the Polish keeper.

The four minutes was played out in the pouring rain in Nottingham and Swindon couldn’t get an equaliser.

There is a two week rest for Swindon as there is no game for the Robins next Saturday as they got knocked out of the FA Cup. So the next game is against Doncaster on the 08/12/2012.

(above picture was my view from the away end on a wet and windy day in Nottingham)

Swindon 4-1 Yeovil: Home Form Hoodoo is over

Posted by ScotM on November 19, 2012 at 1:47 pm European Champions League, Football League One, Swindon Town FC

Nov 192012

Swindon recorded their first win at home since late September with an emphatic 4-1 home win over Yeovil on Saturday at the County Ground

Goals from Andy Williams, two from James Collins and Darren Ward, James Hayter got the goal for Yeovil.

Two new loan signings of Chris Martin and Danny Hollands made the Swindon Town bench while Captain Alan McCormack returned to the side at right back instead of Nathan Thompson. That being the only change to the starting XI.

The opening goal of the game came after twenty four minutes when Andy Williams flicked the ball over the Yeovil defender on the half way line and used his pace to go one on one with the Yeovil keeper Marek Stech and calmly side footed the ball past the keeper.

It was 2-0 just four minutes later when centre back Joe Devera intercepted the ball and went on an powerful run on the left hand side and played a brilliant cross to James Collins who got in front of his defender and poked the ball into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.

There was some concern for Swindon as Andy Williams went down with a knee injury after a collision with the Yeovil Keeper the rebound fell to James Collins but his effort was blocked. Williams would return on to the pitch for about ten minutes or so but had to be replaced and Norwich loanee Chris Martin came on.

Yeovil pulled one back just four minutes before half time when substitute winger Keanu Marsh-Brown crossed in for James Hayter who headed goal wards and his effort cannoned off the underside of the cross bar and bounced over the line, the linesman gave the goal.

But the lead was short lived, as a free kick from Simon Ferry was curled in and Joe Devera effort was saved by Stech but the rebound fell to Darren Ward who fired past Stech and Swindon lead was back to two goals.

Swindon nearly added a fourth when on the counter attack and Simon Ferry played in Chris Martin but his left footed low shot went the wrong side of the upright.

Matt Ritchie then played in James Collins but he had his first effort well saved by Marek Stech then the rebound blocked by the Yeovil defence.

Danny Hollands then flicked the ball to Collins who hit a first time instinctive volley which was acrobatically parried away by Stech.

In stoppage time Swindon added a fourth and it was a brilliant goal, substitute Raffa De Vita played a defence splitting ball to James Collins on the left hand side and he cut in from the left and curled a brilliant effort into the far corner.

A fantastic home win, which meant that Swindon jumped quietly up to third in the league table. We don’t wait longer for the next game, which is Brentford at home on Tuesday night.

Walsall 0-2 Swindon Town: The Perfect Away Performance

Posted by ScotM on November 14, 2012 at 3:01 pm European Champions League, Football League One, Swindon Town FC

Nov 142012

Swindon made it four points from six on Saturday with a fantastic 2-0 away win at Walsall. Goals from each half from Simon Ferry and Matt Ritchie gave the Robins the three points.

Simon Ferry continued as captain due to the absence of both Alan McCormack and Tommy Miller due to injury. John Bostock returned to the starting XI and replaced Louis Thompson, the on loan Spurs midfielder made a return after a few weeks out due to injury.

Swindon made the perfect start after fifty seven seconds they were 1-0 when Gary Roberts cross in from the left hand side found Simon Ferry fifteen yards out and he blasted into the back of the net.

Joe Devera played a defence splitting ball over the top for Matt Ritchie who then crossed in for James Collins and his low effort was well saved by David Grof.
A brilliant counter attack by Swindon nearly made it 2-0 when Simon Ferry chipped the ball to Gary Roberts at the back post that played it back across goal to James Collins but his goal bound effort was blocked by the Walsall defence.

Walsall then played their way into the Swindon half and on loan West Brom midfielder Sam Mantom dragged a shot wide from just outside of the area.
Swindon nearly doubled the lead just before half time when Gary Roberts who back an attack and hit a low drilled effort from twenty five yards out that hit the post.

Walsall then had two opportunities to level the contest but Adam Chambers had a volley that fizzed over the bar. Then Wes Foderingham had to make a fine save to deny Malvind Benning with a low save that was sneaking into the bottom corner.

Swindon then doubled their lead just after the hour when Miles Storey goal bound effort was blocked and the ball fell to Matt Ritchie twenty yards out from goal and he drilled low into the bottom corner and gave Swindon the 2-0 lead.

Andy Williams had two fantastic chances to add to Swindon lead but he was denied on both times by Walsall Hungarian keeper David Grof.

Another clean sheet for Swindon keeper Wes Foderingham that is two in a row now after the 0-0 draw in midweek against Sheffield United.

After the final whistle Paolo Di Canio saluted the away fans for their support. Up next is a home game against Yeovil

Swindon 0-0 Sheffield United: Robins held by leaders

Posted by ScotM on November 8, 2012 at 2:06 pm European Champions League, Football League One, Swindon Town FC

Nov 082012

It was back to the league on Tuesday night as Swindon entertained leaders Sheffield United. It was the return of former Swindon boss Danny Wilson who had a successful first two years at the club but succumbed to the sack in the spring of 2011. Swindon tasted two successive defeats in both cup competitions, first to Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup then to Macclesfield in the FA Cup.

Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio had to make changes due to suspensions and injuries. Aden Flint was starting the first game of his four game ban and Tommy Miller has been sidelined for six weeks due to a leg injury. So a lack of midfield cover meant that youth team player Louis Thompson made a first start for the club alongside Simon Ferry at the heart of the midfield. Joe Devera was restored to the centre of defence after player either on the right side or the left side of defence.

In the opening minutes of the game Swindon had a fantastic opportunity to open the scoring when a long range effort from Matt Ritchie cannoned of the crossbar. Simon Ferry then had a low curling effort brilliantly tipped away by Sheffield United keeper George Long. Nathan Thompson then was booked for a horrible challenge; it could have been a red card.

Early in the second half Swindon hit the woodwork again when Andy Williams played in Gary Roberts on the left hand side and his deflected angle drive hit the post.

Louis Thompson played a cross field cross to James Collins who got ahead of his marker and headed inches wide of the upright.

Sheffield United made two chances for themselves first effort was cleared off the line and the second fell to the big central defender Harry Maguire but his effort was blocked and he had appeals for handball turned down by the referee.

The game ended goalless and it was good to see a good performance after the horrid performance on Saturday against Macclesfield in the FA Cup.
It wasn’t for trying as Swindon had two efforts which hit the woodwork and Sheffield United had an effort cleared off the line. But the last fifteen minutes of the second half was like watching the ball in the air which was a pain to watch.

Up next for Swindon is a trip to the Midlands on where Swindon will entertain Walsall at the Bescot Stadium.

Crewe 2-1 Swindon: Shooting boots left at home

Posted by ScotM on October 26, 2012 at 2:01 pm European Champions League, Football League One, Swindon Town FC

Oct 262012

Swindon has now gone three games without a win after Tuesday night defeat at struggling side Crewe.

Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio made a bundle of changes with Aden Flint out suspended after picking up his red card on Saturday against Scunthorpe. Nathan Thompson and Federico Bessone missed out due to Injury. Along with Andy Williams and Alan Navarro who are long term absentees. Paul Benson wasn’t called up to the squad but reports after the game suggested that he was injured. Matt Ritchie was dropped to the bench.

So in came Joe Devera, Alan McCormack, Troy Archibald-Henville, Raffaele De Vita and Adam Rooney came in to the side.

Adam Rooney had the first chance for the away side after a short corner from Raffaele De Vita and Jay McEveley found Rooney who headed wide of the upright.

Swindon took the lead after twenty five minutes when a Tommy Miller free kick from the left was curled in and it was flicked headed into the bottom corner by Raffaele De Vita who picked up his third goal of the season.

Just five minutes later and the home side equalised when Michael West cross in from the right hand side found Byron Moore un marked at the back post and he slide home from close range to equalise.

Swindon keeper Wes Foderingham pulled off two fantastic saves before Crewe managed to take the lead and it came four minutes before half time. Once again it was Byron Moore who grabbed the goal as he was found on the left hand side and he danced around Joe Devera and chipped the ball past the on rushing Foderingham into the back of the net.

Swindon had bulk of the chances in the second half as they were in search of an equaliser, Joe Devera went closest when his cross shot had to be tipped on to the cross bar by Alan Martin. Gary Roberts then had a volley from the angle brilliantly tipped away by Martin who was proving to be a problem for the Swindon attack.

Matt Ritchie then had two bites of the cherry, his first shot was charged down by the Crewe defence then the second whistled wide of the upright.

Crewe five man defence was standing up right against the Swindon attack who were throwing the kitchen sink and then some to equalise.

The four minutes of added time was up and Swindon had to deal with a 2-1 defeat on which Crewe’s attacker Byron Moore was the star man.

Swindon has to re-group as they have yet another away trip at the weekend as the Robins travel to Stevenage.

Swindon 1-1 Scunthorpe: Frustration at the CG

Posted by ScotM on October 22, 2012 at 3:05 pm European Champions League, Football League One, Swindon Town FC

Oct 222012

It is back to back draws at home for Swindon Town after Saturday 1-1 draw against League One strugglers Scunthorpe.

Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio made one change to the starting line up brining in James Collins in for John Bostock, this meant a change into the style of formation which last week was 4-4-1-1 and with the addition of Collins it meant that Swindon went back to the 4-4-2. Alan McCormack was fit enough to start from the bench.

Scunthorpe had four ex Swindon players in their squad but only two were in the starting XI, David Prutton and Leon Clarke returned to the County Ground, while Mike Grella and Callum Kennedy were on the bench for Alan Knill side.

Swindon took the lead after eighteen minutes and it was James Collins second goal in two games as he cut in from the right hand side of the area and scored from an acute angle. Swindon nearly made it 2-0 when Matt Ritchie was one on one with the Scunthorpe keeper but was foiled as Sam Slocombe done well to spread himself and deny the Swindon winger.

It turned worse for the home side as they were reduced to ten men when Aden Flint was sent off for picking up two yellows. Both fouls were on former Swindon striker Leon Clarke.

With this Swindon made a tactical change and going to a 4-4-1 formation and took of striker Paul Benson and he was replaced by club captain Alan McCormack. McCormack took his place at the heart of the defence next to Darren Ward.

Scunthorpe equalised eleven minutes into the second half when a cross in from the right hand side found Karl Hawley who headed powerfully into the far corner past Wes Foderingham.

Swindon then had two late chances to win the game first was from a flicked on header from Matt Ritchie which found substitute Adam Rooney who angle drive went inches wide of the far post. Then Gary Roberts missed a guilt edge chance from close range when his weak right foot effort floated over the bar.

Scunthorpe in stoppage time had weak penalty claims turned down when Alan McCormack and former Swindon player David Prutton tangled in the box and the referee turned it away.

Both teams had to settle for a draw, Swindon will be thinking what could of have happened if Aden Flint didn’t get himself sent off, as Swindon were 1-0 up and cruising and had eleven players on the pitch.

Up next for Swindon is the away trip to Crewe on Tuesday night

Carlisle 2-2 Swindon Town: A point earned instead of two dropped

Posted by ScotM on September 18, 2012 at 11:10 pm Football League One, Swindon Town FC

Sep 182012

Swindon picked up a welcomed point away at Carlisle thanks to two first half goals from Adam Rooney and Paul Benson. Some of the Swindon fans missed the goals and maybe the first half as they were stuck in traffic on the M6 after a fatal crash. Swindon asked the game to be put back but Carlisle did not agree with the decision.

Carlisle opened the scoring after fourteen minutes when Swindon defender Darren Ward clearance was charged down and the ball fell to former Swindon loanee Jake Jervis who slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Swindon equalised just fifteen minutes later when Adam Rooney hit a fantastic low effort drive from twenty yards out which flew into the bottom corner. Carlisle then went in from no longer than sixty seconds later and it was Jake Jervis who scored again as he lashed home an unstoppable volley from just outside of the area.

Well the scoring did not stop there as just two minutes later Swindon equalised as Paul Benson broke through and calmly stroked home. A mad three minutes where three goals were scored and most of the away fans sadly missed it. Peter Murphy was fantastically denied by Swindon keeper Wes Foderingham; A Jon-Paul McGovern corner found the head of Murphy and Foderingham at full stretch clawed it away.

Andy Williams went close to added to Swindon lead as he broke down the right hand side and cut in but his deft lob was well saved in the Carlisle goal by Mark Gillespie who was making his third start for the club. Mark Beck then went close for the home side as a Jon-Paul McGovern set piece found the substitute un marked and he headed wide. Matt Ritchie had a long distance effort from outside of the area comfortably saved by Gillespie. The three minutes added time was played out and Swindon came away from Cumbria with a creditable 2-2 draw after a fantastic first thirty two minutes of football.

The three straight defeats have been stopped and up next is Portsmouth away on Tuesday night followed by a home game against Bournemouth.

Swindon 0-1 Leyton Orient: A week to forget for the Robins

Posted by ScotM on September 10, 2012 at 10:01 pm Football League One, Swindon Town FC

Sep 102012

The last seven days for anyone who is connected with Swindon has been a damaging week. After this weekend defeat at home to Leyton Orient meant that Swindon have lost their last three games. Last Sunday it was away at Preston in the league 4-1. On Wednesday it was away at local rivals Oxford United in JPT 1-0 thanks to late Alfie Potter late goal. Then on Saturday the home defeat to Leyton Orient.

To be honest it was a laboured, jaded and lacklustre performance from Swindon Town, manager Paolo Di Canio came out in the post match interview and said it was the worst performance under him as manager.
Leyton Orient dominated the first half and went really close on more than one occasion. Russell Slade the Leyton Orient manager done his homework as the O’s were first to every ball and when Swindon cleared they had one man in midfield that would pick the pieces and start another Orient attack.

Lee Cook was the danger man for the away side he caused Swindon right back Joe Devera all sort of problems. He had a cross shot which was cleared by the Swindon defence, and then the former QPR winger produced a brilliant left footed cross for Kevin Lisbie who headed un marked just past of the upright. Swindon could only come up with half chances; both Matt Ritchie and Raffaele De Vita had shots on goal deflected away by the Leyton Orient defence.

The second half started a lot better for Swindon as Matt Ritchie had two goal ward efforts saved comfortably by Ryan Allsop. But on the hour Leyton Orient took a well deserved lead when Leon McSweeney sent in an inviting ball from the right which Dean Cox diverted through the legs of Aiden Flint and it fell to Lee Cook at the back post who made no mistake.

Swindon then bought on Adam Rooney on for James Collins and the on loan Birmingham man made an impact and nearly scored with his first touch. Rooney poked the ball in front of the Leyton Orient defence and went through on goal but he could only divert his effort wide while being hassled by two Leyton Orient defenders.

Leyton Orient nearly doubled their lead with a brilliant set piece. Dean Cox from around thirty yards out curled a brilliant effort which whistled over the cross bar and hit the netting on top of the goal. Swindon then tried to hit back but huffed and puffed with no avail. Six minutes of added time was added and Swindon pushed centre back Aiden Flint up front but it didn’t work as Leyton Orient soaked up all the pressure and came away with a deserved victory.

A nervy performance which didn’t help when the full time whistle was blown a half hearted chorus of boos made a noise around the County Ground. That defeat ended Swindon twenty eight game unbeaten run at home which stretched back to August last year when Southampton beat Swindon in the league cup.

Up next for Swindon is long trip up north to take on Carlisle on Saturday.

Preston 4-1 Swindon Town: Bad day at the office with repercussions

Posted by ScotM on September 4, 2012 at 2:55 pm Football League One, Swindon Town FC

Sep 042012

After Tuesday fantastic performance in the Capital One Cup away at Stoke on which the Robins won 4-3 after AET, it was back to the bread and butter of the league away at Preston in the league. But the performance of Swindon casted an eye of Manager Paolo Di Canio who in his post match interview ripped into his players mainly keeper Wes Foderingham who substituted after twenty one minutes after a poor opening of the first half.

Preston raced into a 2-0 goal lead just ten minutes into the game. The first game from a goalkeeping mistake from Swindon keeper Wes Foderingham where his clearance was charged down and the ball fell to Akpo Sodje who drilled low into the bottom corner. Nicky Wroe made it 2-0 when he got on the end of a Scott Laird cross to tap home from inside the six yard box. Twenty one minutes into the game Paolo Di Canio made a surprise substitution when he brought on young keeper Leigh Bedwell on for Wes Foderingham. Foderingham was clearly unhappy and stormed down the touchline and let out his frustrations when kicking a powerade bottle. It was 3-0 to the home side right on half time when Stuart Bevon who was making his debut for the club tapped home from close range.

Raffaele De Vita pulled one back for the away side thirteen minutes into the second half, Alan Navarro played the ball out to the left and the winger cut in and hit a low angle drive into the far corner. The game was put to bed with twenty two minutes remaining when a Scott Laird corner was poorly cleared by the Swindon defence and the ball fell to John Welsh who hit from distance through a body of players into the bottom corner.

After the game local Wiltshire radio had to wait for Paolo Di Canio for around thirty five minutes before he gave his post match interview. The Italian was not happy. He criticised his players mainly goalkeeper Wesley Foderingham for his performance, he went on a five to six minute tirade on the professionalism and the behaviour of the young keeper. Paolo Di Canio also wanted Wes Foderingham to apologise to the fans, if he didn’t he would be out of the squad

On Monday afternoon it was broken that Wes Foderingham did in fact apologise to Paolo Di Canio and the two have made up. Foderingham saying it was the heat of the moment that got to him.

Up next for Swindon is a JPT away trip down the A420 to local rivals Oxford United where revenge is on the cards.

Swindon 3-0 Crawley: 9-0 Aggregate score

Posted by ScotM on August 27, 2012 at 10:26 am Football League One, Swindon Town FC

Aug 272012

Swindon have now played Crawley town since their introduction to league football last year three times and have beaten the London based side 3-0 on all three times. Hence the 9-0 Aggregate score. Tuesday night performance at the County Ground was a joy to watch it showed glimpses of last season performances in the league below.

After Saturday draw away at Hartlepool manager Paolo Di Canio made three changes after the 0-0 stalemate, Aiden Flint, Simon Ferry and James Collins were introduced to the starting XI to replace Troy Archibald-Henville, Alan Navarro and Paul Benson. The latter two were on the substitute bench but Troy Archibald-Henville missed the game due to injury. Former Swindon captain Paul Caddis also missed the game as it his future is away from the club as we found out after the game. His public stripping of the captaincy has perplexed Swindon fans.

In a frantic opening to the game where Swindon started the game coming quick out of the blocks when Swindon picked up a corner in the first thirty seconds of the game but sadly it came to no avail. After ninety seconds Tommy Miller had an effort well saved by Paul Jones. Hope Akpan had the first real opportunity for the away side when his long range effort cleared the crossbar without ever testing the Swindon keeper. Billy Clarke also tried to test Wes Foderingham from long range but his effort went over the bar. Swindon took the lead after twenty-five minutes and it was a freak goal by Matt Ritchie, he received the ball on the half way line from Simon Ferry and ran at the Crawley left back and went to cross in from the right hand side with his right foot and the ball floated into the back of the net over Paul Jones in goal. Crawley then wasted two chances to grab the equaliser as Gary Alexander and Kyle McFadzean wasted chances before Swindon doubled the lead. That goal came just one minute before the half time whistle as a corner from Matt Ritchie was headed down by Rafa De Vita and the ball fell to Tommy Miller who drilled past Paul Jones from inside of the area.

Just past the hour Swindon killed the game off as they grabbed a third and it was well deserved. A Matt Ritchie cross from the right hand side found Rafa De Vita free on the left hand side and he hit an angle drive which found the bottom corner and increased Swindon lead. Andy Williams then went close for the homeside when he turned his defender on the halfway line and ran at the Crawley goal and hit a brilliant effort on the angle that was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Paul Jones. Josh Simpson then had an effort for the away side that was well saved by Wes Foderingham. Swindon thought they added a fourth goal when a Matt Ritchie free kick was headed home by Aiden Flint but the referee disallowed the goal for a foul. James Collins then went close to adding a fourth with minutes remaining in the game when he danced around the Crawley defence but his effort was straight at Paul Jones and it was parried away.

Swindon Town manager Paolo Di Canio came out in the local press after the press black out on Saturday and praised the team. “We played as one body and spirit. We worked very well together. I’m proud to be manger of them. It was their best performance under me at the club.

Next up for Swindon is a tough test and is at home to MK Dons.

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