MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 1-0 Bristol Rovers

Swindon Town’s first league encounter with local rivals Bristol Rovers since 2017 ended in victory as Paul Sheridan recorded his first win as Swindon Town manager. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report from the County Ground.

Picture Credit: Swindon Town FC

Brett Pitman’s 75th minute header was the difference as Swindon Town got back to winning ways in an overall lacklustre 90 minutes of League One action.

Both sides displayed their attacking intent within the opening ten minutes as defences were called into action with Jack Payne’s fierce shot in the 8th minute blocked well, whilst Sam Nicholson’s header just moments later was put over the bar.

Reflective of the rivalry between the two teams, a series of fouls throughout the first 20 minutes stopped the match from building any type of momentum as referee Thomas Bramall was called into action more frequently than he perhaps would’ve expected with Dion Donohue shown the first yellow card of the game. 

Recalled to the starting side, Jack Payne interlinked well with Matt Smith on the edge of the Rovers box to create a good sight on goal but could only put his shot wide of the upright. 
 
 Just minutes later, Payne was presented with a golden chance to take the lead after being found inside the box by a reverse pass from Donohue, only for the attacking midfielder to waste his shot after thinking he was offside even though no flag was raised.

In contrast to Swindon’s attempts to play free-flowing football, Rovers looked to play more directly with long balls up to Brandon Hanlan testing Town’s defensive duo of Mathieu Baudry and Jonathan Grounds. 

However, the visitors may have been more suited to switching tactics with their best chances coming from marauding runs through the heart of Swindon’s midfield as both Hanlan and Nicholson produced good chances on goal. 

Swindon grew in confidence as half-time approached with both Pitman and Odimayo threatening, but amidst a host of wasteful possession, this game rarely looked like producing a goal. 

Pitman smashed a bouncing ball into row z of the Stratton Bank on the stroke of half-time which summarised the football on show in the first-half.

A series of three quick Rovers corners immediately after the restart offered Paul Tisdale’s side chances to test Matej Kovar, but a combination of good defensive headers and poor set-piece delivery saw Swindon avoid danger.

Swindon manager John Sheridan opted for his first change of the match just ten minutes into the second half with with Jordan Stevens replacing Jonny Smith, but this did little to change the game. 

The first goal would likely be the winning goal in this stalemate match, but neither set of players displayed the type of quality needed to break the deadlock. Misplacing simple passes, rash challenges, and an overall lack of desire made this a glum affair to be involved in. 

Hallam Hope looked to bend a shot into the top corner from 20 yards out in the 65th minute but this was the first chance since the restart as his effort went wide.

With Bristol sitting deep, Swindon enjoyed their best spell of possession as Town’s attackers created openings in the Rovers defence but a lack of quality inside the final third allowed the visitors off the hook.

Swindon continued to press forward and despite this match looking set for a draw eventually got the breakthrough as Brett Pitman connected with Matt Smith’s free-kick in the 75th minute and heading past Jaakkola to score his third goal for the club. 

Neither team deserved to score but Swindon had their lead as the game finally sparked into life. 

Throwing caution to the wind, Bristol mounted a barrage of attacks. Matej Kovar was forced into a brilliant diving save, denying McCormick from 20-yards out as the attacker drove a shot goal-bound. Nicholson then saw his header rebound off the post just seconds later as Swindon clung onto their lead.

With minutes left Hallam Hope had a chance to finish the game as the ball bounced across his path inside the Bristol box, but he rushed his shot, slicing the ball into the stands.
 
Bristol tested Swindon’s defensive resolve with a series of crosses into the box, but despite looking nervous, the Robins held on to record their first win under new manager John Sheridan.