ON-THE-WHISTLE MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 3-2 Stevenage

Swindon ended their early season home hoodoo, courtesy of a 3-2 win over Stevenage with Luke Norris and Keshi Anderson getting the goals for Town.

Prior to today, Swindon had not won in their previous four home matches in all competitions, with just one draw and three defeats to show for their efforts.

The theme of Crawley and Barnet especially was that Swindon did not take their early chances, but that could not be further from the case on Saturday as Norris and Anderson had Town 2-0 up even before the 15-minute mark.

Stevenage got one back early in the second half through Dan Newton but Norris netted his second goal, from the penalty spot, to secure the three points for Swindon.

Joe Martin curled in a late free-kick, but Town managed to hold out in the final few minutes.

Norries toed in a Chris Hussey corner to get Town in front after just nine minutes and on-loan forward Anderson tapped in a Norris squared pass four minutes later to put Swindon in cruise control.

Swindon were threatening even before that, none more so than when Kellan Gordon flashed a cross across goal that went agonisingly past Anderson's boot and out for a throw. If Anderson had made contract, Town would have had the lead even earlier.

Norris was a man on the mission on the first half and, forced a decent save out of Stevenage keeper Joe Fryer who palmed it away from danger.

The ex-Gillingham fan, who was much maligned last season, later flashed a really impressive half volley from 30 yards-plus just wide of the Stevenage goal, and in first half-stoppage time, Fryer parried another long-ranger, but the keeper smothered it before Anderson could pounce on the rebound.

Stevenage did threaten on occasion, with Tom Pett their brightest spark, but he could only curl over the bar while Newton headed a cross over and Matt Godden nodded a ball into the arms of Lawrence Vigouroux.

A great first half was dampened by the fact Dion Conry picked up what seems to be a hamstring injury when he attempted to block Pett's effort. Chris Robertson was subbed on as his replacement.

Visitors Stevenage were better in the second half and scored six minutes after the restart when Newton tapped in following a minor goalmouth scramble.

Godden then headed a right-sided cross just wide as Stevenage tried to exert pressure on Swindon and cause hearts to go into Town fans' mouths.

They were more focused on screaming at referee John Brooks, however as he waved way numerous penalty shouts throughout the match.

He finally succumbed though and pointed to the spot when Gordon's cross was handled by defender Joe Martin.

Norris steadied himself and nestled the spot-kick into the bottom right corner when Fryer dived to his left and Town could enjoy their two-goal cushion again.

That killed Stevenage off and Swindon had a comfortable second half following that, with Gordon and Paul Mullin both coming close with attempts at goal.

Martin's late free-kick was a bolt from the blue, quite literally given the nature of it and the colour of Stevenage's away kit, but Town were untroubled in stoppage time.

Swindon Town: Vigouroux, Purkiss, Conroy (Robertson '42), Lancashire, Hussey, Gordon (Woolery '83), Dunne, Elsnik (Linganzi '72), Mullin, Norris, Anderson

Subs not used: Charles-Cook, Brophy, Taylor, Harry Smith

Stevenage: Fryer, Henry, Franks, Toner, Martin, Pett (Samuel '76), Gorman (McKee), Jon Smith, Kennedy (Whelpdale '62), Newton, Godden

Subs not used: Day, Vancooten, Beautyman, Gray

Man of the match: Luke Norris

Attendance: 6,022

Referee: John Brooks