MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 0-1 AFC Wimbledon

SWINDON TOWN suffered their first home defeat of the season as AFC Wimbledon earned their first ever victory at SN1, winning by one goal to nil to take all three points back to London. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report from the County Ground.

Joe Piggot’s 28th minute goal was the difference between the two sides as a lacklustre Swindon team failed to make an impact on proceedings as the Wiltshire outfit fell to their third defeat of the League One season. 

Starting the game on the front-foot, Swindon Town displayed their attacking intent early on as Diallang Jaiyesimi showcased his pace to get the better of Luke O’Neill and earn Town their first shot on target in the 2nd minute forcing Connall Trueman into an easy save down to his right.

Back in the staring XI, Jaiyesimi found himself again in the thick of the action just minutes later, using his trickery to get the better of his opposite number and put a dangerous cross into the front post for Pitman, but smart thinking from Alex Woodyard denied him of a goalscoring opportunity. 

Fluid attacking football from the hosts has been a usual theme for Swindon this season with the Robins scoring eight league goals prior to today’s game, but defensive woes have been just as commonplace, and it was lapses in concentration that almost gave the Dons an early lead in the 15th minute. 

Attempting to play quick one-twos in the middle of the park, Jonny Smith failed to make a good connection with the ball and Longman found himself in acres of space on the left-wing. 

Sprinting to the byline, he drove a low cross into the onrushing Pigott, but good positioning from Jonathan Grounds allowed the Robins too clear and breath a sign of relief. 

Making his first League start for the club, Grounds was again called into defensive action just minutes later sniffing out Wimbledon’s attack to put the ball behind for a corner which came to nothing. 

Half chances from sloppy Swindon play gave the away side confidence, and after a good period of passing play that saw interlinking play create gaps in Swindon’s backline, Joe Pigott gave the Dons the lead with a well-taken finish in the 28th minute, stretching to connect with Luke O’Neills cross and fire past Kovar from close-range.

A goal had been coming and despite a bright start, Swindon were punished for not taking chances early on as Wimbledon started to control the possession and take the sting out the game. 

After scoring on his league debut for the club, Brett Pitman cut a lonely and frustrated figure up front, whilst Jordan Stevens appeared to struggle with his defensive duties as he deputised at right-back for the injured Paul Caddis. 

The remainder of the first-half passed by with little to write home about as Swindon failed to make an impact and Wimbledon left for half-time with their lead safely intact. 

Seeking to avoid their first home defeat of the season, Swindon emerged for the second period of play searching for a quick equaliser, but a disjointed attack looked short of ideas as Wimbledon’s game plan limited Richie Wellens’ side of chances.

Committing men forward, Swindon found themselves isolated at the back and a Wimbledon 3 v 2 counter-attack in the 50th minute looked likely to result in a second goal for the visitors, but for Matej Kovar’s bursting run out from his box to put the ball out of play. 

Controlling the game, Wimbledon were happy for Swindon to control possession as poor decision making from the hosts saw them fail to make headway in a game that looked to be passing the League Two champions by. 

Space on the left-wing saw Jaiyesimi enjoy lots of the ball, but after doing well to get into attacking areas, the winger, like many of Swindon’s attackers, looked short of ideas and apart from his on-target shot in the 63rd minute failed to threaten the Dons goal. 

Likewise Jack Payne and Jonny Smith did little to excite in the usual fashion that Swindon fans have come to expect, whilst upfront, Pitman offered little attacking threat.

Solid in their shape, Wimbledon stifled Swindon from making headway in the game and despite offering little attacking threat of their own, with Seddon’s 73rd minute long-range effort their only notable chance, they looked comfortable in a match that lacked chances at either end. 

With less than 20 minutes left, Richie Wellens decided to make changes introducing Akin Odimayo and Tyler Smith into the fray, and a change in shape nearly paid dividends as Jaiyesimi’s fierce shot on goal in the 82nd minute saw Trueman stretching to tip the ball round the post. 

Swindon threw everything they had at Glyn Hodges’ Wimbledon with goalkeeper Matej Kovar even going up for a stoppage time corner that came to nothing. But against a well-disciplined Dons side, Swindon eventually ran out of steam as the Robins suffered their first home defeat of the season.