Match Report: Swindon Town 2-1 Notts County

It was a Good Friday for Swindon Town fans

Notts County were giving out goals rather than eggs for Easter, as they gifted Swindon a goal in each half for their first win in 4 matches. Aaron Drinan and Paul Glatzel were amongst the scorers for Swindon.

In a contest between two sides who were having second half’s of the season to forget, it was Swindon who made the more memorable start to the match. After looking the brighter team and winning a handful of early corners, it was actually a calamitous Notts County mistake which led to Swindon’s first chance and goal. Scott Robertson’s ill-judged back pass ricocheted off the post and fell to Aaron Drinan who was on hand to finish 1v1 in the 19^th minute. It was the type of comedic goal you’re used to watching Swindon give away!

Town came within inches of doubling their advantage with 26 minutes on the clock. Sean McGurk whipped a wicked delivery on to the head of Paul Glatzel in the box where Town’s number 9 found the crossbar with his effort. Swindon were certainly looking much more threatening than in previous weeks. Although Notts County offered them a warning on the stroke of the half hour mark when David McGoldrick forced Bycroft into action with a long bouncing shot. Bycroft parried into the path of the league’s top scorer Macaulay Langstaff who was unable to get enough power on his shot from a tight angle.

As the half went on Notts County grew on the ball as they dominated possession. However, Swindon were disciplined with their pressing game and drilled defensively in a solid shape. Half time soon came, bringing a close to one of the more impressive 45 minutes I can recall for a while.

Notts County came out of the blocks the quickest in the second half and had a good opportunity in the 48^th minute. A searching cross from Jodi Jones found the run of Dan Crowley at the back post, unfortunately for The Magpies he was unable to get over the top of the ball as he slid in and sent it to the Stratton Bank. Just shy of the hour mark David McGoldrick’s through ball was on a plate for Langstaff 1v1, however once again as he slid in another chance went begging.

Notts County’s controlled passing game looked good amongst the players who appeared comfortable and confident. However, amongst the backline it looked like only a matter of time until they were caught out. As the game drifted with County having all the ball but no reward, it felt as if the game was just waiting for something to happen. And it delivered in the 74^th minute. Goalkeeper Sam Slocombe, in no man’s land, attempted to thread a pass through to midfield. He instead found Paul Glatzel who then found the net with a cute chipped finish.

Notts County came close to responding in the 81^st minute when Langstaff fired a close-range volley into the ground, only to be denied by Bycroft. With minutes remaining, Harry McKirdy tested the keeper with a dipping free kick from 30 yards. Notts County did add a bit of jeopardy to preceding’s in stoppage time when Alassana Jatta headed home to half the deficit. And despite looking like a cat on a hot tin roof, Swindon managed to negotiate the closing moments to secure their first win of the month.

In truth it was an impressive display from Swindon against an out of sorts opposition. Although credit where it’s due I was impressed with how organized the team looked and I could tell it was something which had been worked on over their extended break. Next up for Town is a trip to Sutton United on Easter Monday.