Swindon vs. Stockport - Playoff consolidation at the expense of The Hatters

Stuart Pearce was on hand last night to witness yet another win at the County Ground last night. A win that stretches our unbeaten run in the league to 12 games, 9 in all competitions, with our last set-back being far from a disgrace against Premiership outfit Fulham at Craven Cottage. Supposedly Pearce's 4th visit to the County Ground this season as he looks to bolster his Under-21 side, it was a chance for the likes of Danny Ward and Charlie Austin to make the step up to represent their country. Bristol Rovers were the last League 1 side to take all 3 points against Swindon, with recent performances a long way from what we were forced to sit through at the Memorial Stadium back in December.
With many fans expecting a complete drubbing of midweek opponents Stockport County, it would be typical of Swindon not to make things easy for themselves, even after opening the scoring early on. In fact, a rather drab first 45 minutes, even with 3 goals, saw Town fans expecting A LOT more from their side in the 2nd half, as the domination had not quite paid dividends in the half time score.

On the 6th minute, expectations were raised as many a Swindon fan would have been thinking "this is going to be a rout!". A short corner from Jon-Paul McGovern found Jonathan Douglas on the edge of the area who managed to mishit an attempt goalwards. However, welsh stopper Owain Fôn Williams' attempted save was typical of amateur football, not something you would expect to see in League 1, and his poor block allowed 18 year old Danny Ward to fire a shot of his own, which eventually found the net after the melee of red and blue shirts in between Ward and the goal deviated the ball past a helpless Fôn Williams.
Ward's contribution was short and sweet as he was forced off on 28 minutes after picking up a knock; a precautionary measure from Wilson, allowing Matt Ritchie to make his first appearance after joining on loan from poverty-stricken Portsmouth 2 weeks previous.

As the game quietened down and begun to stagnate towards half time, Swindon's dominance over nethermost Stockport County was showing, though the score told a different story. There were plenty of chances as in-form striker Charlie Austin's effort was matched by Fôn Williams and top scorer Billy Paynter sent a sitter far wide off the goal after being found unmarked by McGovern's inch perfect crossing. Shortly after, the scouse frontman had Stockport's stopper at full stretch as he pulled a powerful shot back across the goal after finding a lot of room just outside the area. The keeper make a good save to denyPaynter and Swindon. Even 19 year old Sean Morrison, who recently returned from a loan spell at League 1 rivals Southend United, got in on the action but the giant defender could only head straight into Fôn Williams' clutches from a corner.

But Stockport's 22 year old keeper's heroics were finally beaten to strengthen Town's lead with 45 minutes on the clock as Paynter turned in another spill from Fôn Williams. Alan Sheehan burst into the box and his low shot was parried by Fôn Williams, and Billy Paynter was on hand to finish the job, putting the ball in from what looked like a very tight angle to take his tally of the season up to an impressive 21 goals.
That wasn't the first half over and done with though, as Stockport restarted with some fire in their bellies. A sloppy free-kick was given away on the edge of the Swindon area, and Greg Tansey was on-hand to convert, suddenly changing the whole complexion of the game bang on half time. Perhaps just deserts for not putting away the countless chances we had squandered.

Wilson was forced into another change and a reshuffle of formation during the break, as wing back Kevin Amankwaah was swapped for midfielder Craig Easton due to a hamstring complaint. And our lacking right side showed as stand-in captain Jonathan Douglas also became stand-in wing back to fill the hole left by Amankwaah's departure.

It seemed Douglas' presence bossing the midfield was sorely missed, as Stockport pushed on to find an equaliser to stun playoff hopefuls Swindon. As they grew in confidence some sloppy defending could have gifted County a point. Stockport's best chance came in the form of Jabo Ibehre, who found himself racing clear of Sean Morrison, only to be thwarted by on-rushing David Lucas.

Stockport's league position began to show as they were unable to capitalise on the chances given to them by an out-of-sort Swindon team, and Town managed to weather the storm and deliver the killing blow on 74 minutes. Jon-Paul McGovern's teasing cross was met by Celtic loanee Simon Ferry's head at the far post as he bagged his 2nd goal for Swindon. An assist for Jon-Paul McGovern that is a testament to his performance throughout the season.
The goal proved to be what Swindon needed, as the wind behind Stockport's sails disappeared and their heads dropped. It was only a matter of time until number 4 came as Town pushed forward with their 2 goal advantage. It came in the shape of a sublime 25 yard finish from striker Billy Paynter, as he looped a stunning shot over Fôn Williams and into the back of the net.
The 83 Stockport fans were sent packing as Town set themselves up nicely for the trip to Leyton Orient on Saturday. It wasn't the best performance, but its +3 points, +3 Goal difference, and we're now a point behind Charlton, who failed to overcome Brighton, with two games in hand.

See you in London!