A perfect Harry Smith Hat-Trick ensured that Ian Holloway enjoyed his first League win in charge of Swindon as Town moved off the foot of League 2.
The Harry Smith show took just 8 minutes to begin when the striker started off with a right footed strike, a header and a second half wonder goal, on his left, would give Town a dream 3 goal advantage. It could’ve been 4 had it not been for a missed Glatzel penalty. The visitors, Fleetwood, pulled one back, but Swindon did more than enough to earn their first league win since October.
Ian Holloway, still without a Swindon league win, handed an array of opportunities to youngsters as he looked to regenerate Swindon’s season. Most notably, Jaxon Brown who was plying his trade on loan for Canvey Island just a month ago, earned his first league start. Fleetwood manager, Charlie Adam, was Ian Holloway’s captain at Blackpool in 2010. He was now hoping to get one over on his former boss with his Fleetwood side trying to reignite their season, just 6 points off the playoffs.
Despite sitting bottom of the EFL, Swindon started brightly and were quickly rewarded when Harry Smith poked home after 8 minutes. Ryan Broom attempted to sweep up, with his back to goal, as he passed back to his keeper. However, the windy conditions at The County Ground saw the ball hold up in the turf as Harry Smith showed more desire to beat the Fleetwood goalkeeper and open the scoring.
The Robins came just a whisker away from adding their second with 21 minutes on the clock, Will Wright’s free kick from 26 yards was almost perfect. The centre half’s strike, assisted by the wind, beat both the wall and keeper with only the crossbar on hand to deny Wright.
Swindon remained very much in the ascendency as they continued to outwork and probe their visitors. It came as no surprise when they doubled their advantage within 30 minutes courtesy of Smith’s second. A Will Wright corner was hit deep towards the back post where Harrison Minturn headed the ball back across the face of goal to Smith who was jogging on the spot to head home.
Prior to the break, Swindon and Will Wright came close yet again to free kick perfection when the centre half found the roof of the net with an effort from the left. However, Town would feel more than pleased with their work when the whistle blew for half time. Their energy and desire had been no match for a poor Fleetwood side who were struggling to get a kick in the game.
The second half brought more of the same with Town continuing to outwork their Lancashire visitors. It was only fair then when Harry Smith completed his hat-trick just shy of the hour mark. Jaxon Brown, who had been full of running all afternoon, broke through the Fleetwood defence to lay the ball off the Smith on the edge of the box. The Town striker needed just a touch to steady himself before smashing a venomous left footed effort home from the edge of the box. It was a delightful strike from a forward brimming with confidence.
Moments later, Smith was in the thick of the action once again, winning a penalty. He was fouled on the left-hand side of the box by David Harrington, giving Paul Glatzel the opportunity to score from 12 yards. Unfortunately, penalties continued to haunt Town as Glatzel struck the crossbar with his left footed strike.
7 minutes later, the visitors pulled one back courtesy of their captain. Matty Virtue had time and space to caress the ball past Barden with a firm volley from the edge of the box. It all of a sudden made things a little bit more difficult for the leakiest defence in the league.
Fleetwood came close twice to making it a nervy finale. First up, their top scorer, Ronan Coughlin missed a huge opportunity when he failed to beat Barden 1v1. Then a minute later, Mackenzie Hunt was denied by the woodwork before seeing his shot cleared off the line.
However, Swindon would hang on to get over the line and secure a much deserved 3 points. It was exactly the kind of performance which everyone would’ve been looking for. Town were full of heart, energy, and desire. Ollie Clarke led the way as he dominated the midfield battle, McGregor and Brown offered youthful enthusiasm down the right, and Smith was superb up top. Swindon will be hoping for more of the same when they travel to Wycombe in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.
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