Match report: Swindon Town 1–2 Notts County

Swindon suffer David McGoldrick dagger blow

Swindon saw David McGoldrick deny them from their first victory of the season thanks to two stunning strikes.

After Gavin Kilkenny put the hosts in the lead, David McGoldrick replied with a sensational strike. Swindon then stole the momentum of the game, playing their best football of the season, only to be undone by another McGoldrick wonder goal.
Following a busy transfer deadline day at SN1, Swindon handed a full debut to Gavin Kilkenny, who arrived from Bournemouth the day prior. He replaced Jake Cain, with the only other change being Tunmise Sobowale replacing Rosarie Longelo. 
The visitors, Notts County, secured their first win of the season last time out with a 4-1 triumph over Grimsby.
The Magpies came close to creating the first opening of the contest six minutes in. Jodi Jones was afforded space to work his way into the D and pull the trigger, only to scuff his shot into the path of Dan Crowley who was beaten to the ball by the alert Bycroft.
It was an encouraging start from Town, who showed improved promise in possession. But they were very much happy to be second fiddle to a Notts County side who wanted to dominate the ball. 
But possession is always nine tenths of the law, and Gavin Kilkenny proved that as he opened the scoring on his debut. As he picked up the ball 25 yards out he had time to pick his head up and find the side netting with a delicious strike.
On the stroke of the half-hour mark, Notts County nearly found a reply when Jodi Jones found Conor Grant at the back post, where his low shot would be denied by Bycroft. Instead, it took a moment of individual brilliance from former Premier League striker, David McGoldrick, who on his right foot, from range, curled a beauty past Bycroft into the top corner. 
For all of the Nottingham outfit’s possession, it was a long shot which did the trick for them.
Notts County continued to dictate the tempo, however Swindon came closest to finding an advantage before the break when a good counter attack resulted in Ollie Clarke having a shot saved from the edge of the box.
Both sides went in at the break level pegging with it all to play for in the second 45.
The Robins flew out of the traps in the second half as they seized the early momentum, winning an array of corners. Joel Cotterill came closest to goal when his cross come shot was pushed away by Bass.
Swindon continued in the ascendancy with very little to show for it until the 70th minute. Gavin Kilkenny picked up the ball inside the D and fired narrowly wide with the Notts County defence converging on him.
Town continued to dominate the second half and will have felt that they deserved a winner as they entered the latter stages of proceedings. Jeff King tested the keeper with 12 minutes to go with a skipping shot from range which Bass swallowed up.
But, Swindon were soon to find out themselves that possession only means nine tenths of the law in League 2. When the ball broke on the edge of the box to David McGoldrick in the 80th minute, he needed no invitation to stick the dagger into Town hearts as he found the back of the net. 
It was a killing blow and felt thoroughly undeserved.
Deadline day signing Danny Butterworth came the closest to finding a Town equaliser when his long shot forced Bass into a save in stoppage time.  
So it finished up as another defeat for Town, but one which they’ll no doubt take a lot encouragement from, in stark contrast to their 4-0 thrashing at home to Walsall two weeks ago. 
Next up, in the league, for The Robins is a trip to Barrow on Saturday.