Hallam Hope returned to haunt his old team as rock bottom Morecambe threw Swindon’s season into further jeopardy.
On a wet and windy afternoon, Ian Holloway’s side were looking to brighten the skies in what could be considered an early season relegation six-pointer. For the visit of rooted to the bottom Morecambe, Town made four changes, with Hall, Cox, Kilkenny, and Tshimanga all handed opportunities.
Having not lost to Morecambe in nine, The Robins were looking for their first win under the stewardship of Ian Holloway.
However, after a bright start, The Shrimps took the lead with Swindon outdone by yet another set piece. A short corner allowed Luke Hendrie a cute angle to work the ball into the box for Jamie Stott to head home unmarked from point blank range. It was a nightmare start for Town just six minutes in.
Swindon haven’t learnt their lesson on defending set pieces for some time. And they were in no mood to change when Morecambe doubled their advantage just 14 minutes in. Ben Tollitt snuck in at the back post, unmarked, thanks to Adam Lewis’ ball. There he took it down and convincingly smashed it past Bycroft at his near post.
Again, it’ll go down in the catalogue of Bycroft getting beaten at his near post. Both on and off the pitch it was turning into a glum afternoon.
Morecambe threatened to make it three on the stroke of the half-hour mark when Jordan Slew fired a stinging effort down the barrel of Bycroft.
Two minutes later, Holloway removed struggling youngster Joel McGregor in place of striker Aaron Drinan. It proved to be an inspired change as Drinan cut the deficit with his first touch. A deep George Cox free kick was flicked on by Smith and finished by Drinan from close range. After being mocked that he didn’t know was he was doing, Holloway’s change had handed Swindon a lifeline.
Moments later, Town came close to making it a level contest when Butterworth’s corner was flicked over the bar by Hall at the near post. The goal had certainly sparked Town into life with the hosts looking brighter. Although, the conditions remained prominent, and Callum Jones nearly used them to his advantage three minutes shy of the break, his swerving long range shot forced Bycroft to acrobatically tip behind.
The half time whistle blew allowing both teams to take temporary shelter. Swindon had wrestled their way back into the contest, but they still had an uphill task to climb after a shocking start.
Swindon needed a good start to the second half and they got just that. With just 49 minutes gone Ryan Delaney fired home inside the box in the aftermath of a corner. It put Town into the ascendency, and set up a winner takes all finale.
As we drifted towards the hour mark the whirling wind continued to cause the visitors problems, with Swindon looking to capitalise. With 70 minutes on the clock Jaxon Brown, returning from a loan spell at Canvey Island, nearly turned the ball into his own net when he headed behind for what started a spree of Morecambe corners.
The game was in danger of drifting towards full time, however Morecambe hit the front in the 78th minute. Luke Hendrie’s lofted ball found Hallam Hope in behind the Town backline. The former Town man raced through to finish with Bycroft hesitant and immobile to exert pressure on the number 9. It was the softest of goals, but how often have I said that this season?
Swindon almost immediately replied, with the bright Aaron Drinan forcing a low save through a skidding right-footed effort. But nothing else would come for Town in what was a glum and depressing afternoon.
Two games against relegation rivals in Accrington and Morecambe, five goals conceded, one point earned. We might well look back on this as the kiss of death on Swindon’s League 2 status.
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