- Part 2

ScotM

Crewe 2-1 Swindon: Shooting boots left at home

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

2012-13 Serie A Week 8 review: Juventus make it 47 unbeaten

Posted by ScotM on October 22, 2012 at 2:34 pm European Champions League, Serie A

Oct 222012

Serie A returned this weekend after the International break with a bang, Napoli travelled to Juventus and were downed in the game of the weekend 2-0 on Saturday evening. Both Milan clubs had different fortunes as AC Milan was beaten in the capital at Lazio and Inter won at home against Catania. Roma turned on the style after going 2-0 down and won 4-2 away at Genoa.

Saturday 20th October

The first of the weekend action was the top game in Italy as first took on second in Juventus vs. Napoli at the Juventus Arena. Juventus won the game with two late goals in the second half from Martin Caceras and a debut goal from Paul Pogba.

The second game was Lazio home game with an indifferent AC Milan side. Lazio raced into a 3-0 goal lead thanks to goals from Hernanes, Antonio Candreva and Miroslav Klose. AC Milan then hit back with goals from Nigel De Jong and Stephan El Shaarawy but it wasn’t enough.

Sunday 21st October

The lunch time game was Cagliari against Bologna in their new stadium which is allowed to have fans in the ground even though it has failed the safety checks. It wasn’t a great game but Cagliari won the game with the only goal thanks to a brilliant strike from the Belgian Radja Nainggolan.

Inter won again at the San Siro after Inter defeated Catania. Goals in each half from Antonio Cassano and brilliant strike from the rat tail Rodrigo Palacio.

Parma overcame a Sampdoria onslaught in the final minutes to win the game 2-1. Sampdoria were reduced to ten men when goalkeeper Sergio Romero was sent off for a foul on Jonathan Biabiany, Amauri scored from the penalty spot. Then he added a second in the second half. Then Sampdoria made it interesting when Eder was brought down by Antonio Mirante in the box and a penalty was awarded. Eder scored from the penalty spot but it wasn’t enough.

Atalanta got back to winning ways after two back to back defeats with a 2-1 win at home against Siena. All the goals came in the second half; Siena took the lead thanks to a goal from Reginaldo. But Atalanta fought back with goals from Luca Cigarini with a brilliant free kick. Then the winner eight minutes from time Giacomo Bonaventura struck the winner.

Palermo and Torino ended goalless.

Chievo and Fiorentina shared the spoils in Verona in a 1-1 draw. Cyril Thereau opened the scoring for Chievo. But Fiorentina equalised moments later thanks to Spanish defender Gonzalo Rodriguez.

Udinese overcame Pescara in Udine, Udinese were reduced to ten men when Danilo was sent off for picking up two yellow cards. But the only goal of the game came in the second half when Brazilian playmaker Maicosuel poked home from close range. Pescara was unlucky that they hit the cross bar twice.

The final game of the weekend was Roma trip to Genoa. Genoa raced into a two goal lead thanks to goals from Juraj Kucka and Bosko Jankovic. But Roma fought back brilliantly with goals from Francesco Totti, Pablo Osvaldo with two goals and Erik Lamela added the fourth.

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.

2012-13 Serie A Week 3 Review: A weekend of comebacks

Posted by ScotM on September 17, 2012 at 3:56 pm Italy, Serie A

Sep 172012

Both Juventus and Bologna pulled off brilliant comebacks over the weekend away from home at Genoa and Roma. Bologna won 3-2 at Roma thanks to Alberto Gilardino, while the Juventus victory at Genoa was inspired by Mirko Vucinic. AC Milan were beaten at home once again at home to Atalanta. Lazio made it three out of three with a very impressive away at Chievo.

Saturday 15th September

The international break was over and it was the return of Calcio. There were two games on Saturday the first was Palermo home game against Cagliari. Palermo took the lead just before half time from Uruguayan international Egidio Arevalo Rios angle drive. Marco Sau equalised for Cagliari two minutes from time when he headed home the rebound.

The second Saturday game was AC Milan home game against Atalanta. It was the away side who got the victory as AC Milan went down to a second straight home defeat. The goal came just after the hour mark and it was Luca Cigarini with the goal.

Sunday 16th September

The lunch time game was Chievo vs. Lazio and Lazio made it three wins out of three thanks to a inspired performance from the Prophet Hernanes. Hernanes got the first goal with a lovely step over, drop of the shoulder and a curled effort in off the upright. Miroslav Klose got the second when he tapped home the rebound after a Hernanes effort was saved. Then Hernanes added a third and it was a splendid solo goal as the Brazilian ran down the left and kept running and hit an angle drive into the back of the net. Chievo picked up a consolation from the penalty spot when Sergio Pellissier sent Federico Marchetti the wrong way.

Udinese threw away a two goal lead at Siena and had to share the spoils. Udinese raced into a two goal lead after five minutes thanks to goals from Dusan Basta (Golazo) a diving header from Antonio Di Natale. Siena hit back with two goals in quick succession. The First was a header from Emanuele Calaio then a penalty from Ze Eduardo, after he was brought down by Domizzi. Udinese had to play the most of the second half with ten men when Andrea Lazzari was sent off.

Vincenzo Montella came back to haunt his old side as Fiorentina beat Catania in Florence. Goals came in each half for Fiorentina from Stevan Jovetic and the returning Luca Toni.

Sampdoria picked up yet another win this season winning a five goal thriller at Pescara. Sampdoria went into a two goal lead thanks to goals from Maxi Lopez and Marcelo Estigarribia. Mervan Celik pulled one back for Pescara. Then Maxi Lopez added his second with a low angled drive. Gianluca Caprari added a second for Pescara but it was too late.

Juventus had a scare in Genoa but a brilliant comeback ensured an unbeaten start to the season. Ciro Immobile gave Genoa the lead against his parent club with a low drive. Emanuele Giaccherini equalised for Juventus on the hour. Mirko Vucinic added a second from the penalty spot. Seven minutes from time the comeback was complete as Vucinic crossed in for Kwadwo Asamoah to bundle home.

Roma lost out in a thriller at the Olimpico at home to Bologna. Roma came out of the traps and scored twice in the first fifteen minutes thanks to Alessandro Fiorenzi and Erik Lamela. Then with fifteen minutes remaining Roma melted as Bologna hit back with three goals. Alberto Gilardino headed one back then a minute later Alessandro Diamanti angled drive made it 2-2. Then in stoppage time a mix up between Maarten Stekelenburg and Nicolas Burdisso left Alberto Gilardino to tap home into an empty net.

Napoli was in brilliant form against Parma. Goran Pandev was brought down by Antonio Mirante and Edinson Cavani made no mistake from the penalty spot. Marek Hamsik then squared to Goran Pandev to make it 2-0. Marco Parolo pulled one back for Parma with a looping header. Home town boy Lorenzo Insigne made it 3-1 with a tidy finish.

Inter Milan travelled to Turin in the Sunday night game to take on Torino. Inter didn’t disappoint with a 2-0 away win. They had to battle but got through it. Goals in each half from Diego Milito and from substitute Antonio Cassano killed the game off.

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.

2012-13 Serie A Week 2 Review: Francesco Totti rolling back the years

Posted by ScotM on September 4, 2012 at 2:50 pm Italy, Serie A

Sep 042012

Francesco Totti rolled back the years with a brilliant performance against Inter at the San Siro. The veteran Italian assisted two in Roma 3-1 win over Inter. AC Milan won away at Bologna thanks to a hat trick from new signing Giampaolo Pazzini. Juventus still unbeaten in over a year won 4-1 away at Udinese.

Saturday 1st September

There were two games on Saturday evening; the first was Torino 3-0 home win over Pescara. Goals from Alessandro Sgrigna, Matteo Brighi and Rolando Bianchi gave Torino the win. Bianchi made amends after missing a first half spot kick.

The second Saturday game was AC Milan trip to Bologna where Giampaolo Pazzini took centre stage. First the Italian won a spot kick after being brought down by Nicolo Cherubin and Il Pazzo made no mistake giving AC the lead. Bologna won a penalty just before half time when Antonio Nocerino brought down Alessandro Diamanti. Diamanti made no mistake from the spot. AC Milan won the game with two late goals from Giampaolo Pazzini and made his first start for the club a memorable one.

Sunday 2nd September

There remaining eight games were spread around the 6pm kick off and the 8.45pm due to the heat. The only 6pm kick off was Juventus trip to Udine to take on Udinese. Juventus trounced a sorry looking Udinese side that were smarting after their Champions League exit to Braga in midweek. Arturo Vidal opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Sebastian Giovinco clashed with Udinese keeper Zeljko Brkic which saw the Udinese keeper sent off. Mirko Vucinic doubled Juventus lead just before half time. Two second goals from Sebastian Giovinco further extended the lead for Juventus. Andrea Lazzari did pull one back for Udinese but it was to late for the home side.

Sampdoria unbeaten start to the season continued with a home win over Siena. Maxi Lopez scored his first goal for Sampdoria and gave them the lead. Simone Vergassola equalised after Emanuele Calaio was brought down in the penalty area and had his spot kick hit the upright. Daniele Gastaldello made up for amends for giving away the penalty and netted the winner with a powerful header.

Parma beat Chievo at home 2-0, thanks to goals from a header from Ishak Belfodil and former AS Roma right back Aleandro Rosi

Lazio made it two wins out of two over Palermo who now haven’t won a game this season. Miroslav Klose opened the scoring seven minutes before the half time whistle. Antonio Candreva doubled the lead early in the second half with a fantastic long range effort. A third was added ten minutes from time and it was Miroslav Klose second of the game.

Cagliari and Atalanta played out a 1-1 draw which included two missed penalties and Atalanta going down to ten men. Joaquin Larrivey had Cagliari first spot kick saved by Andrea Consigli. Daniele Conti had the second spot kick saved by Consigli after Victor Ibarbo was brought down. Federico Peluso was sent off for the away side. German Denis opened the scoring for the away side and then Albin Ekdal bundled home the equaliser for Cagliari.

Napoli made it two wins from two with a home win over Fiorentina. Played on a quagmire of a pitch, Napoli took the lead thanks to a Marek Hamsik looping header; Blerim Dzemaili doubled Napoli lead with a low drive from outside of the area. Stevan Jovetic pulled one back for the Viola but it was too late.

There was five goal thriller between Catania and Genoa, the home side coming out on top 3-2, Juracj Kucka gave Genoa the lead in the first half. Catania then hit back with two Gonzalo Bergessio goals. Bosko Jankovic levelled for Genoa with a brilliant long range effort. Free kick specialist Francesco Lodi won it for Catania with a brilliant free kick.

The main attraction in Milan where Inter took on AS Roma at the San Siro, Roma took the lead early in the first half when man of the match Francesco Totti crossed in for Alessandro Florenzi un marked to head home on his debut. Inter levelled on half time when Antonio Cassano turned Nicolas Burdisso and with a deflected effort looped over Maarten Stekelenburg. Two second half goals for Roma won it thanks to Pablo Osvaldo scooped lob finish and the third was added by Brazilian Marquinho. Pablo Osvaldo was then sent off for the away side after picking up two yellow cards.

2012-13 Serie A Week 1 review: Calcio is back

Posted by ScotM on August 29, 2012 at 11:54 am Italy, Serie A

Aug 292012

After the summer of football in Euro 2012 where the Italians were runners up behind winners Spain and then the summer of turmoil in the match fixing, Serie A returned at the weekend and there were a few surprises that happened. AC Milan was beaten at home by the returning Sampdoria at the San Siro. Juventus won at home against Parma with a controversial goal from Andrea Pirlo.

Saturday 25th August

There were two games on Saturday and the first game of the season was Fiorentina home game Udinese. Fiorentina won the game 2-1 and at to come from a goal down to win the game. Udinese fielded a under strength side due to Champions league commitments took the lead from debutant Maicosuel. Fiorentina hit back with two goals in the last half hour thanks to Stevan Jovetic. The second goal came in stoppage time and sent the Fiorentina president into pandemonium.

The Saturday night game was Juventus home game against Parma which was evidentially the first league game at the Juventus stadium. In a rain sodden turin, Juventus squandered a chance to take the lead from the penalty spot from Arturo Vidal who had his spot kick saved by Antonio Mirante who made amends for giving away the spot kick for a foul on Stephan Lichtsteiner. The Swiss right back Stephan Lichtsteiner gave Juventus the lead and then moments later Andrea Pirlo doubled Juventus lead from a free kick that Antonio Mirante saved on the line and the linesman and the assistant referee behind the goal gave the goal.

Sunday 26th August

There was a 6pm evening kick off in Milan where a weak AC Milan side took on the returning Sampdoria who won promotion from Serie B last season. There was a shock in the San Siro as the away side won it with a goal in the second half from left back Andrea Costa who headed home from a corner.

There was a four goal thriller in the capital as Zdenek Zeman second reign as Roma manager got underway against a solid Catania side. Giovanni Marchese gave the away side then the homeside equalised with a brilliant goal from Pablo Osvaldo bicycle kick that flew past Mario Andjuar. Then Catania hit Roma on the counter and free on the left hand Alejandro Gomez to hit a angle drive past Maarten Stekelenburg. Roma hit back with moments remaining when young attacker Nico Lopez scored his first goal for the club.

The only 0-0 draw of the first round was between Siena and Torino
Lazio won away at Atalanta thanks to a goal from Hernanes after eighteen minutes from a Stefano Mauri cross. The ball went in off Hernanes knees from around two yards out.

Genoa won at home to Cagliari but it didn’t go all their way. Genoa missed an early spot kick after Bosko Jankovic was fouled in the penalty area. Cristobal Jorquera missed the penalty kick firing his effort wide of the upright. Goals in the second half from Alexander Merkel and Ciro Immobile gave Genoa the win.

The flying donkeys got their season underway with a 2-0 home win over Bologna. Goals in the second half from Sergio Pellissier on his 300th Serie A appearance and Rinaldo Cruzado, Diego Perez with three minutes from time was sent off for Bologna for a two footed challenge on Cruzado.

Napoli started life with Ezequiel Lavezzi with a brilliant 3-0 away at Palermo. Napoli took the lead in first half stoppage time thanks to a brilliant angle drive by Marek Hamsik. Then two goals in the last fifteen minutes from Christian Maggio and former Palermo striker Edinson Cavani wrapped up the points for Napoli.

Inter Milan got off to a brilliant start at newly promoted side Pescara. Inter raced into a 2-0 goal lead thanks to goals from Wesley Sneijder and Diego Milito just after eighteen minutes. The third was added with ten minutes remaining thanks to Philippe Coutinho who returned from his loan spell in Spain from Espanyol.

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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