MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 0-1 Lincoln City

SWINDON TOWN failed to make it back-to-back victories for the first time this season as Matej Kovar’s calamitous goalkeeping error saw The Imps leave the County Ground with all three points. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report from the County Ground.

Picture credit: Swindon Town FC

Lewis Montsma’ 73rd minute header denied Swindon a well-deserved point as Town goalkeeper Matej Kovar was left embarrassed in a hard-fought encounter.

Despite looking to organise in a defence-focused structure with many expecting John Sheridan to play five at the back, Swindon started the game on the front-foot with Paul Caddis instead taking up a defensive midfield position and Matt Smith pushing up into the number ten role. 

With Brett Pitman out injured Hallam Hope started through the middle spearheading Swindon’s attack. An attack full of pace, Swindon pressed with intensity early on, disrupting the Lincoln midfield to win the ball back high up the field. 

Some good transitional play saw Swindon earn the first chance of the game as the re-called Jordan Stevens dispossessed James Jones inside the Lincoln half, dribbling towards goal and laying the ball off to Hope who cut it back for Smith as his eventual shot was deflected behind for a corner that came to nothing. 

Sitting amongst the playoff positions prior to tonight’s game, Lincoln were expected to dominate the opening proceedings, but giving Swindon credit, Michael Appleton’s side field to get a foothold in the match with Brenna Johnson’s off-target shot in the 16th minute their only significant attacking moment. 

Swindon looked to test Lincoln keeper from Alex Palmer from set-pieces scenarios, winning two corners in the opening twenty minutes but couldn’t get any power on the end of Smith’s crosses allowing The Imps to reset when under pressure.

Smith was shown the first yellow card of the game after being judged to have fouled Liam Bridcutt in what looked like a 50/50 ball as Swindon sought to test Lincoln’s physical resolve. 

Positive on the ball, Smith was again at the heart of Swindon’s attack in the 34th minute as he perfectly executed a ball over the top of Lincoln’s defence for Stevens who couldn’t bring it down and the ball went out for a corner.

Anthony Scully registered Lincoln’s only shot on target of the first-half just a minute later.

Swindon finished the half brightly with Hope shooting on target from the edge of the box on the stroke of half-time with the match remaining goalless at the break.

Lincoln emerged for the second-half looking a complete different outfit as two quick-fire shots left Kovar scrambling.

James Jones forced a brilliant diving save from Kovar immediately after the restart, with Johnson seeing his shot just a minute later put narrowly over the bar.

Growing in confidence, the away side started to threaten but Swindon’s defence remained tight and kept chances for the visitors few and far between.

However, Swindon remained dangerous in front of goal as well as Anthony Grant tested Palmer with a half-volley effort in the 55th minute.

In similar fashion to the first-half, Swindon continued to press and break up play. But an improvement in The Imps’ passing led to more fouls with Baudry, Donohue, and Akin Odimayo all picking up yellow cards.

Lincoln introduced Conor McGrandles into the fray in the 65th minute as the game became a scrappy affair with a lack of quality in the final third the sticking point for both teams.

Swindon looked comfortable in defence and having dealt with corners all game looked an assured outfit from set-plays. However what looked like a relatively easy cross to deal with spelt disaster for Swindon in the 73rd minute as Kovar came off his line flapping at Johnson’s corner and leaving Lewis Montsma to head into an empty goal and give Lincoln the lead.

Town looked for an instant equaliser as Donohue aimed to test Palmer with an edge-of-the-box free-kick, however too much power saw his shot sent over the bar.

John Sheridan signalled his intent with Jack Payne replacing Anthony Grant in the 80th minute but despite getting into dangerous positions Swindon just couldn’t get the better of this resilient Lincoln defence. 

Mathieu Baudry had a chance to end the game on level terms in the final minute as Tom Broadbent’s header fell into his path, but the Swindon skipper could only put his header over the bar as Town stayed above the relegation zone on goal difference.