MATCH REPORT: SWINDON TOWN 0-2 CAMBRIDGE UNITED

SWINDON TOWN extended their winless streak to six games as relegation contenders Cambridge United pulled off a shock two-nil away defeat at The County Ground. TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report following the action.

Quickfire first-half goals from Reggie Lamb and Jevani Brown saw Cambridge United claim their third win of the season as Swindon failed to score in a disappointing defeat for the Wiltshire side.

A nervous-looking Swindon Town failed to get out the starting blocks as Cambridge United looked a side full of confidence in the games opening exchanges. 

Reggie Lamb’s 2nd minute shot on target set the precedent for what would be a terrible opening for Swindon. Creating triangles in attack opened up space in Town’s defence as the visitors combined quick passing with fluid movement to put Swindon under-pressure. 

Just one team change saw Dion Conroy replace Sid Nelson in defence. However, it would be Captain Olly Lancashire at fault for the opening goal. Lambe intercepting a pass out from the Town defence picked up the ball and used his pace to easily brush past Lancashire and fire past Vigouroux to score in the 10th minute.

Disorganised and disorientated left Swindon backpedalling as Jevani Brown doubled the lead just a minute later. 

This time a through ball from George Maris found the attacker in space who took two touches to take him into the box and shoot past the helpless Vigouroux. 

A poor start made worse and the attacking start from Joe Dunne’s side caught a lacklustre Swindon unawares. 

Two-nil down left Town with an uphill task, one that was made harder as Michael Doughty hobbled off injured in the 15th minute with James Dunne the replacement.

Leading and looking comfortable saw United sit back and defend whilst the Wiltshire outfit struggled to create chances. 

James Dunne, arguably Town’s brightest player since his introduction, gave Swindon their best chance of the side in the 26th minute. Striding forward he brought the ball into the box and produced a left-footed shot that Forde had to tip round his post. 

Seeking to get back into the game, Phil Brown pushed his players upfield. 

A lack of creativity left the Town players desperate for chances and a Dion Conroy shot from range in the 27th minute highlighted Swindon’s struggles. 

Having only won two games all season, Cambridge United looked a side determined to get themselves out of the relegation zone in a game that they were firmly on top of. 

Jevani Brown having already scored, this time used his pace to easily breeze past Lancashire and shoot into the side netting in the 39th minute as half-time loomed. 

Swindon would maintain possession in the latter stages of the half but Cambridge easily held on to go in at half-time firmly in front and looking on track for victory. 

A half-time team talk certain to be full of extremities from Phil Brown saw Swindon come out in the second half looking like a different side. 

Players appeared to now want to get on the ball and Steven Alzate’s presence was instrumental as the attacking midfielder shipped the ball left and right as Town tried to get back into the game. 

Pushing players forward left Swindon short at the back and Cambridge playing on the counter-attack nearly extended their lead in the 59th minute. 

David Amoo picking the ball up in his own half ran straight at the heart of Swindon’s defence before playing a through ball into Brown who was clear on goal but only for Vigouroux to save the resulting shot well to his right. 

As the clocked ticked on, Brown decided to add to his attack as Toumani Diagouraga made way for Kaiyne Woolery in the 59th minute. 

Attacking changes made, Swindon pushed forward as they searched for an opening. 

Moving the ball quickly around the edge of Cambridge’s box created space for Town as Dunne went close with his 62nd minute shot bouncing off the post for a goal kick.

Bodies behind the ball frustrated Swindon as they were forced to play the ball wide and rely on crosses into the box to create goal-scoring opportunities. 

Poor delivery from set-pieces and wide positions saw Cambridge easily deal with the Town attackers as the Robins dominated possession but offered very little end product. 

Matty Taylor tried his luck from range with a 30-yard free kick in the 85th minute going just over the bar, but Swindon seemed to have admitted defeat with very little attacking threat on show. 

Cambridge’s Ade Azeez should’ve made it three-nil in stoppage time when presented with a one-on-one situation with Vigoroux but the striker put his effort wide. 

The final whistle blew moments later as Phil Brown and Swindon Town left the field to a resounding chorus of boos from the home crowd as the side edged nearer to relegation than the playoff positions.