MATCH REPORT: SWINDON TOWN 2-1 YORK CITY

Swindon Town won 2-1 to overcome a resilient York City at The County Ground to progress to the second round of the FA Cup. TotalSport Swindon's Ryan Walker gives his match report following the action.

First half goals from Scott Twine and David Ferguson left Swindon with the stark reality of facing a cup replay before Steven Alzate struck late on to earn Swindon a hard-fought victory. 

Swindon Town asserted their dominance in the first half as York City were outclassed and outplayed but managed to stay in the match. 

Staking their claim to progress to the second round of the FA Cup having only done so once in the last five seasons, Swindon controlled the tempo of the game whilst restricting York to very little in the matches opening exchanges.  

Six changes made from last week’s league loss to Colchester saw Swindon set up in a 3-4-3 formation that caused havoc to the travelling defence early on as Town opened the scoring in the 11th minute.  

Scott Twine, making only his fourth start of the season, was found unmarked in the box from a Jermaine McGlashan low cross before producing a stunning backheel shot which bounced off the post and went helplessly past Bartlett. 

The goal gave confidence to Swindon as the Robins nearly doubled their lead just moments later. Keshi Anderson driving at the York backline fired in a low shot that was scrambled clear with York having reverted to last-ditch defending already.  

Having struggled to score in the first half at The County Ground this season, Swindon looked determined to increase their advantage. 

Twine playing through the middle made a nuisance of himself again as his acrobatic effort bounced off the post in the 16th minute with Sam Collins’ York City struggling to find a foothold in the match. 

Opportunities aplenty saw Swindon create plenty of goal-scoring chances but a similar theme of poor finishing left Town fans frustrated. 

Scoring nine goals from their three FA Cup qualifying matches demonstrated York’s ability to score and as the first half progressed into its latter stages, the travelling side grew into the game. 

Alex Bray making his debut after signing on-loan from Championship side Rotherham United yesterday, continued to work his way down the left wing and deliver crosses into the box as `York attempted to push forward.  

Warning signs from the opposition should’ve prompted Swindon to alter their style of play but as Phil Brown continued to put his side in full on attack mode, openings were left at the back.

Playing on the counter-attack and combining blistering pace with neat one-touch football put Swindon under pressure as the Minstermen found an unlikely equaliser late in the first half. 

Nathan Dyer racing down the right-hand touchline delivered a well-placed cross into the box as striker Jordan Burrow rose highest to head on target at Vigouroux only for the keeper's clearance to fall to David Ferguson inside the six-yard box as the left-back rifled his shot into the goal to level the game.

Play resumed after the interval and in the immediacy of the aftermath, it appeared a case of role reversal as York City turned on the afterburners. 

Kallum Griffith's shot on target just after the interval failed to test Vigouroux but the freedom Swindon were allowing their opponents to have on the ball was worrying. 

Seeking to avoid being on the wrong end of an FA Cup upset, Swindon started to push forward as end-to-end football created a second half of football that was exciting but lacked in quality.

Dyer gave York a chance to take the lead with his header going narrowly wide of Vigouroux’s goal after leaping brilliantly at the back post in the 61st minute. Whilst at the opposite end Adebayo was presented with the best opportunity of the game in the 68th minute.

James Dunne bursting forward from the halfway line strode into York’s box playing a through ball into the path of the unmarked Adebayo only for the striker to fire his shot straight at the keeper. 

Decreasing energy levels in the away side saw Swindon start to dominate once again. Jermaine McGlashan linking up well with Adebayo created chances, but Steven Alzate would take the title as match winner. 

Having been lively throughout the second half, Anderson used his pace to find space down the wing before cutting the ball back to the unmarked Alzate who fired into the bottom right from inside the six-yard box in the 75th minute. 

The goal deflated York City who despite making substitutions late on could offer very little to threaten Town. 

Anderson, Alzate, and Adebayo all had chances to increase the scoreline late on in the game but Swindon held on comfortably to win the game and progress to the second round of this seasons FA Cup.