MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 0-2 Exeter City

SWINDON TOWN slumped to their first defeat of the new year as Exeter City ran out two-nil winners at the County Ground in a well-deserved victory. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report in the aftermath of defeat.

Goals from Jonathan Forte and Archie Collins either side of half-time were enough to make the difference as Exeter put on a winning display as Swindon struggled to make an impact. 

Swindon Town made a fast and furious start to the first game of the New Year as two corners within the games opening minutes tested Exeter’s resolve. 

Dion Conroy operating in his new position as a defensive midfielder was inches away from a contender for goal of the season when his effort from 30 yards out was tipped onto the roof of the net in the 2nd minute. 

Swindon dominant in possession continued to work their way into the final third in the early periods, but a lack of quality restricted them from creating goal-scoring opportunities. 

Operating without their top scorer Jayden Stockley, Exeter were starved of the ball in attacking areas, but a well-worked corner move in the 11th minute nearly gave the visitors an early lead. 

Jonathan Forte managed to lose his man in the area and was given a free header but could only put his effort the wrong side of Vigouroux’s post. 

Swindon continued to control the tempo of the game as the clock ticked on but for all of their possession, there was a significant lack of effectiveness. 

Elijah Adebayo leading the line as Swindon’s central striker once again failed to make an impact whilst Town’s attackers appeared disjointed in their efforts to create clear-cut chances. 

Keshi Anderson went close to scoring in the 14th minute after skipping past three Exeter players and working his way into the opposition box only for goalkeeper Pym to rush out and intercept. 

Whilst at the other end, Archie Collins tested Vigouroux from range in the 26th minute with the Swindon keeper diving down to his right to save. 

With Exeter willing to sit back and defend, Swindon became relaxed on the ball and lost the initial intensity they started the game with as a penalty decision in the 36th minute changed the game. 

Passing the ball around inside their own area, Sid Nelson was dispossessed by Jay and in an attempt to win the ball back hacked down the attacker. Forte scored from the spot sending Vigouroux the wrong way and Exeter had the lead. 

Goals change games and Swindon struggled to get back into the match as the first half edged towards its end. 

Nelson was withdrawn due to injury on the stroke of half-time marking the end of his loan spell in sad circumstances as Town went in at the halfway stage a goal down. 

Play resumed following the break and Swindon came out flying as they went on the hunt for an equaliser with Marc Richards now the target man after replacing Adebayo.

A quick counter-attack in the 50th minute should’ve got Town back into the game as Anderson ran the length of the pitch before laying the ball off to McCourt who’s cutback was poor and Doughty could only shoot over when off balance. 

Demonstrating the desire needed to get back into the game, Swindon continued to push forward into the visitors half but Exeter remained resilient as they sought to retain their lead.  

Instructing his men to get forward Matt Taylor’s Exeter side continued to pressure Swindon as they sought to double their lead. 

Lee Martin’s shot from the edge of Town’s area in the 58th minute failed to test Vigouroux, as just moments later in similar fashion Anderson blasted his effort over the bar of Pym. 

Committing men forward in search of a goal left Swindon isolated in defence as Exeter increased the pressure in search of a second. 

Allowing the opposition too much time on the ball in dangerous positions tested the resolve of Town’s defence and it wasn’t long before Exeter increased their lead with a fantastic goal in the 68th minute. 

Getting onto the end of a return ball on the edge of Swindon’s area, Archie Collins took a touch to set himself before curling the ball past Vigouroux from 25 yards out to send the away fans into rapture. 

A superb goal for Exeter all but confirmed victory for the away side as Swindon failed to get back into the match. Poor long-range efforts from Doughty and McCourt were Swindon’s best attempts on goal in the games final moments but Exeter ran out deserved winners as Swindon slumped to their first home defeat of the year.