MATCH REPORT: SWINDON TOWN 0-4 CARLISLE UNITED

Richie Wellens saw his Swindon Town tenure get off to a losing start as Swindon Town suffered their biggest home defeat of the season losing four-nil at home against Carlisle United. TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report from The County Ground.

Goals from Ashley Nadesan, Jamie Devitt and a Regan Slatter brace were the difference between the two sides as Carlisle secured three points against a lacklustre Town side.

An opening ten minutes full of excitement and noise off the pitch lacked quality on it as Swindon Town struggled to create against a Carlisle defence that had conceded 22 league goals this season prior to today’s match.

Keshi Anderson provided Town with their first real opportunity just five minutes in after rising highest amongst a crowd of players but could only put his header from a McGlashan cross wide of Adam Collin’s post. 

Keen to make a good impression on the new manager, Town began increasing the tempo as the clock ticked on in the first half. 

Jermaine McGlashan operating as a right wing-back linked up well with Woolfenden on the right-hand side and continued to find space to deliver crosses into the box but the visitor's backline remained strong. 

Dominant in possession saw Swindon enjoy the majority of the ball but chances remained few and far between for the hosts.

Ellis Iandolo fired a powerful shot wide in the 17th minute before James Dunne hit his effort over the bar of Adam Collin in the 25th minute, demonstrating a lack of accuracy in front of goal from Town’s attackers. 

Controlling the game left John Sheridan’s Carlisle playing on the counter-attack but despite being limited of chances, it was the visitors who would score the opening goal.

Having committed the majority of their players forward, Swindon’s defenders were left isolated at the back as simple accurate passing was enough to unpick Town’s defence.

A long ball out from the back found wing-back Jack Sowerby down the right-hand side who pressed down on Swindon’s goal isolating Nelson before playing a delicate cut-back for Ashley Nadesan who slotted home from six yards out to put Carlisle in the lead.

A goal down in his first game in charge left Wellens needing an instant reaction from his side, and Ellis Iandolo should’ve levelled the game in the dying moments of the first half.

Matty Taylor whipping in a trademark free-kick from the left touchline 35 yards out saw the ball flash across the face of Carlisle’s goal as Iandolo was left struggling to react quick enough with just a touch needed to prod home. 

Swindon would head in at half-time finding themselves in similar circumstances for the majority of home games this season having dominated the half but rueing missed chances in front of goal.

Play resumed following the whistle and just a minute had passed before Carlisle doubled their lead. 

Gary Liddle given too much time on the ball played a brilliant high ball into Town’s box as Nadesan headed the ball down into the path of Regan Slatter who rifled his shot into the top corner.

Two goals up wasn’t enough for the Cumbrian’s though as they added a third in the 53rd minute. 

With Swindon having gifted a foul on the edge of their area, James Devitt stepped up from 25 yards out producing a curling free-kick into the top left corner with Vigoroux left scrambling. 

Richie Wellens would’ve been dreaming of a victory in his first game in charge of Swindon Town but Carlisle’s quick-fire goals had turned this match into a nightmare for the manager. 

Three-nil down and out of the game left Town’s players deflated and out of ideas as the visitors passed the ball around with the confidence and flair of a side well on top. 

Interchanging passes between defence and attack resulted in Town’s players struggling to get hold of the ball and it wasn’t long before Slatter scored his second to make it four-nil. 

Pressing down on Swindon’s goal, Slatter danced with the ball at his feet around the edge of Town’s goal skipping past Conroy and Nelson before striking the ball low into the corner of Vigoroux’s goal in the 64th minute. 

Four goals scored meant it was job done for Carlisle as changes were made and Swindon searched for a consolation goal to take away from a disappointing performance.

Chances came for Swindon in the dying moments of the match but it just wasn’t to be for Swindon Town. 

Martin Smith, a rare bright spark since his introduction, fired a dipping long-range effort in the 83rd minute that nestled onto the roof of the net, as McGlashan failed to latch onto a deep cross at the back post minutes later. 

Carlisle United demonstrated a masterclass in counter-attacking football to give the visitors a deserved victory leaving the County Ground with three points as Richie Wellens suffered a big defeat in his first game at the helm of Swindon Town.