Saturday 31 Aug 2019, County Ground, Lg 2 3pm.
We travelled more in hope than expectation as our record against Swindon both home and away is pretty hopeless. The best we have ever managed has been a 1-1 draw away thanks to a Vadaine equaliser a couple of seasons ago, other than that its been one way traffic against us, and so it proved again.
The game started at a frenetic pace, as both sides tried to apply pressure, however the home side took an early lead in their first attack. Lynden had a shot deflected off the heal of Old directly into the path of the advancing Doyle who slipped it under the advancing Baz for 1-0. The Shrimps reacted well and pressed high and from such a situation created an equaliser. O’Sullivan caught Iandolo in possession and advanced quickly down the right channel, he fed Lewis who took a touch and confidently stroked into the corner to even it up on 12 minutes from inside the box.
The Robins created another chance when a long cross was floated over the head of Sutton but the header was saved.
The impressive Yates then restored the lead on 17 minutes in the next attack, as both sides were knocking it around for fun in an open encounter.
The Shrimps responded well again, O’Sullivan driving low to McCormick’s left and forcing him into a full length save. Miller then turned on the left edge neatly and was only inches wide of the far post as the away side looks to equalise. The Robins struck a fatal blow when another floated long cross again evaded the defence leaving Doyle free to head home on 21 minutes. So 3-1 after 21 minutes, and that’s the way it would stay.
The home side dominated much of the first period after this, without adding to the scoreline, though we did survive a couple of close shaves.
in the second half , we kept the ball better but struggled to create any clear cut openings despite Lewis being a nuisance and Shaun Millers endeavours. Cranston came on and got behind them and tried a shot from an outrageous angle which McKormick was alive to to tip over, and Old perhaps was surprised when the wind took a Lewis cross over Baudrys head, as he reacted late and could only knee the ball wide with the goal gaping at the back post.
So another defeat against another decent footballing side. Our gaols against column is growing and we seem to be struggling to put the chances away, apart from Lewis.
Only Salford at home next week….gulp!