MATCH REPORT | Swindon Town 1-1 Grimsby Town

SWINDON TOWN were held to a stalemate by ten men Grimsby Town as second-half goals from Theo Robinson and Luke Hendrie resulted in both sides taking just a solitary point away from the County Ground. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report.

A sun-kissed afternoon at the County Ground saw Swindon go close to opening the scoring within the first minute of action as Kaiyne Woolery’s shot from inside the Grimsby penalty area stung the palms of James McKeown early on. 

Seeking a second home win of 2019 following last week’s victory over Forest Green Rovers, Town dominated the opening proceedings as the coastal visitors struggled to get a foothold in the game. 

Theo Robinson made himself an ever-present nuisance attacking through the middle in the number nine role, whilst Kyle Bennett, making his full Swindon debut, provided the energy in midfield that Town have at times lacked this season. 

In contrast, Grimsby appeared lethargic both on and off the ball as they failed to cope with the high-press of Swindon that frequently penned the visitors back into their own half. 

After the frantic start, Swindon maintained their high intensity but couldn’t find the final ball needed to unlock Grimsby’s centre-back partnership of Collins and Ohman. 

Kyle Knoyle’s ball across the oppositions six-yard line in the 15th minute escaped the reach of the onrushing Keshi Anderson, as Jak McCourt’s direct effort from a free-kick just five minutes later was punched away well by McKeown. 

Chances aplenty highlighted the dominance of Richie Wellens’ side but as the clock ticked on, Grimsby started to grow into the game. Sloppiness in possession from the hosts allowed Michael Jolley’s Grimsby to create chances and it wasn’t long before Swindon were almost caught out. 

Goalkeeper Luke McCormick, starting in place of the injured Lawrence Vigouroux, was forced into his first save of the game in the 23rd minute as Jordan Cook’s first time shot from inside Swindon’s area saw the keeper dive down well to his right to put the ball out for a corner. 

As Captain Tom Broadbent had to stand his ground to head away Elliot Embleton’s through ball in the 39th minute that would’ve seen the away side through on goal. 

With both sides wary of the threat posed by the corresponding strike forces, the match progressed with little action to document. Two minutes of added time looked set to be played out in similar fashion before Kaiyne Woolery’s stoppage-time effort should’ve given Swindon a half-time lead. 

Played through by Anderson, Woolery found himself one-on-one with the keeper but instead of shooting opted to try and take it around McKeown who was up to the task and clawed the ball away from the feet of the striker. Swindon’s best chance of the game wasted and the half-time blew seconds later. 

Despite being firmly in control, Swindon found themselves heading down the tunnel frustrated at not being in front as Grimsby held on. 

Play resumed and Swindon started the second half as they had begun the first. Kyle Bennett’s shot from range produced a strong save down to his right from McKeown, before Robinson’s bullet header went the wrong side of the crossbar in the 55th minute. 

However Grimsby were equal to Swindon’s attack though and playing on the counter-attack, the visitors nearly scored as Cook’s powerful shot was well saved by McCormick in the 60th minute. 

With both teams knowing that a draw would all but eradicate either sides playoff hopes, Swindon increased the tempo and a red card for Ludvig Ohman in the 65th minute for his challenge on Woolery put Swindon in control. The resulting set-piece was poor from the hosts, but it wasn’t long before the County Ground had its opening goal. 

Working the ball well through the middle, Jak McCourt’s diagonal ball into the box found Robinson who’s initial header was saved only for the striker to smash home the rebound in the 73rd minute to score for a second consecutive match. 

A man and goal advantage meant Swindon needed to simply shut up shop against ten men Grimsby, but the away side responded with an almost immediate equaliser. 

Working the ball down the left-wing, Embleton whipped in a deep cross as Luke Hendrie rose highest to head past McCormick. A poor goal to concede saw Wellens make double situations as Swindon went into all-out attack. 

Woolery hit the post with a header in the 78th minute whilst at the other end substitute Kristian Dennis nearly heaped more misery on Swindon with his shot going narrowly over the bar of McCormick just moments later. 

A highly charged end to proceedings saw Swindon Town pepper the defensive zone of Grimsby until the final whistle albeit with no end product good enough to find the winning goal as Richie Wellens watched Swindon’s playoff hopes fade away in a match that saw his side dominate but fall short at the final hurdle.