MATCH REPORT: SWINDON TOWN 0-0 MANSFIELD TOWN

SWINDON TOWN were left frustrated as a goalless game of football saw Mansfield Town leave The County Ground with a share of the spoils. TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report.

Having been down to ten men since the closing moments of the first half, David Flitcroft’s Mansfield Town would leave Swindon the happier of the two teams as Phil Brown’s Robins failed to score. 

A bright start from Swindon saw the hosts dominant in possession as a change in usual tactics saw Phil Brown set up in a 4-1-4-1 formation. 

The lightning pace of the Swindon attack caused Mansfield problems within the games opening ten minutes but a lack of quality in the final third frustrated the home fans. 

Making his first return to The County Ground since departing last season, David Flitcroft set his side up to play counter-attacking football as Mansfield attempted to get their first win in three games. 

High pressure up the pitch from Swindon left spaces in behind the Robins midfield, something that CJ Hamilton tried to take advantage of in the 13th minute. The returning Timi Elsnik played a through ball for Hamilton only for the attacker to blast his shot over the bar. 

A lacklustre response saw Swindon fail to create goal-scoring opportunities as the visitors started to find their foothold in the game.  

Jacob Mellis shooting from outside the box in the 22md minute failed to test Lawrence Vigouroux before a Danny Rose header just a minute later was tipped over the bar by the Chilean international. 

Chances aplenty for Mansfield highlighted Flitcroft’s intentions of getting a win on his return, but three yellow cards within the games opening thirty minutes demonstrated the physicality of the feisty affair. 

A headed attempt on goal for Elijah Adebayo gave Swindon their first attempt on target in the 35th minute as Mansfield’s keeper Robert Olejnik saved down to his near post. 

Whilst a minute later Steven Alzate forced a save from Olejnik as the midfielder latched onto an Elijah Adebayo reverse through ball only to shoot straight at the oncoming keeper. 

Two good chances in quick succession appeared to have changed the tide as Swindon pushed for the game's opener. 

But it would be Mansfield’s Will Atkinson who would be the talking point from the first half. 

Having already been booked for a rash challenge on Matty Taylor in the 31st minute, the winger was then sent off by referee Antony Coggins in the 41st minute for a challenge on Keshi Anderson. 

Down to ten men, the sending off appeared to shock Mansfield as the Stags players hung on to keep the game goalless at the halfway stage. 

Play resumed and Town looked to attack from the off as they tried to make their man advantage count. 

Steven Alzate once again linking up well with Adebayo as the forward played in a low cross with the resulting shot being deflected for a corner. 

The corner was easily cleared, and despite dominating the match, Town’s lack of quality from set pieces identified a problem area for Phil Brown.

Bodies behind the ball made Mansfield hard to break down as the visitor's defence withstood the onslaught of pressure from Swindon. 

Deemed to have seen enough, Phil Brown made the first of his changes with Kaiyne Woolery and Jermaine McGlashan introduced to the fray in the 59th and 65th minute respectively as Town pushed on for a goal. 

Attacking changes made, the game started to open up as Swindon increased the tempo to create more chances as Mansfield were left backpedalling.  

Jermaine McGlashan operating on the right wing terrorised his opposite number as his exquisite cross in the 68th minute wrong-footed Mansfield’s goalkeeper with the ball dropping to Adebayo who was presented with an open goal only to put the ball the wrong side of the post. The best chance of the game. 

Eager to impress the home fans and end their disappointing winless streak, Swindon continued to push on as they attempted to find the goal that would surely guarantee victory. 

Steven Alzate’s shot from the edge of the box in the 82nd minute failed to test Olejnik. Before a Sid Nelson header in the 87th minute flashed across the face of goal as Town fans were left frustrated. 

Despite Swindon being wasteful in attack, full credit will go to Mansfield who having been down to ten men for the entirety of the second half managed to keep composed and withstand the pressure of Swindon Town. 

A frantic final few minutes saw the Robins continue to attack but the game would end goalless as Swindon failed to make the most against ten-man Mansfield.