Match Report: Swindon Town 5-3 Sutton United

Town continue high scoring form in eight goal thriller at the County Ground

A Jake Young brace sandwiched between a Jake Cain strike gave Town a 3 goal lead within the first half an hour. However, after a sloppy spell of play, Sutton capitalised on Swindon errors to enter half time trailing by just the one goal.

The introduction of Rushian Hepburn-Murphy in the second half inspired Swindon as the striker scored and assisted to ensure all three points for Town.

Swindon manager Michael Flynn made just the one enforced change from the side that was held to a draw at Doncaster the previous game. Jake Cain came into the starting XI in place of Saidou Khan who was on international duty with Gambia.

The visitors to SN1, Sutton, were in the midst of winless league run after failing to win since the opening day.

The opening 5 minutes saw Swindon narrowly avoid falling behind before taking the lead themselves. After the Town backline had been caught out in possession, the ball was cleared to Charlie Austin on halfway who’s delicate flick found the run of Jake Young on the left flank.

Town’s number Seven continued to drive at Ben Goodlife before making his way into the box and firing past the Sutton keeper with a low shot from a tight angle. The finish was a mark of a confident striker. Swindon’s next effort on target brought their next goal just 11 minutes later.

After Tariq Uwakwe’s cross was only half cleared Dan Kemp pinched possession and poked the ball back to Jake Cain who elegantly volleyed home from 21 yards.

From there Swindon continued to dominate and apply pressure for the third, and it was no surprise when Jake Young made it 3 for Town in the 24^th minute.

A Remeao Hutton cross found the run of Austin at the back post. Austin however, despite several attempts, failed to finish. Leaving his strike partner to spare his blushes from point blank range.

The goal marked a deserved water break for both sides as the temperature soared. In many ways the break stalled Swindon’s early momentum.

This was highlighted when Sutton netted their first goal of the afternoon. A quick break from the visitors resulted in the ball being cut back to Craig Clay who dispatched powerfully past Mahoney from 15 yards. 5 minutes later the visitors had somehow comeback to half the deficit as Ben Goodlife fired home inside the box following a long throw.

So as both sides went in at the break Swindon were left with a sour taste after a sweet start to proceedings.

The second half would see a staggering 3 goals chalked off for offside. 2 of which belonged to Sutton with Swindon’s offside seeing Austin adjudged to be marginally off when heading home a Young cross.

Quickly the game became increasingly frantic with the contest being left on a knife edge. However, the introduction of Rushian Hepburn-Murphy swung the pendulum in Town’s favour.

On 65 minutes an exquisite turn and through ball from Hepburn-Murphy fed Dan Kemp who made no mistake in finishing 1 v 1 to restore The Robins 2 goal advantage. However, full credit to Sutton they refused to lie down. On 77 minutes former Swindon man Harry Smith made it 4-3 thanks to a dubious deflection.

Yet three minutes shy of full time Hepburn-Murphy finally put the game beyond all doubt as he mesmerizingly weaved through the Sutton backline and smashed home his finish. You could say that even Lionel Messi himself would be impressed with that finish!

So it finished 5-3 to Town in what was another goal fest at The County Ground.

Swindon will be incredibly encouraged by their goal scoring prowess which leaves them the highest scorers in the EFL having played a game less that the rest.

Yet concerns remain over Swindon’s defensive capabilities after moments of sloppiness allowed Sutton back into a game they were never really in.