MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 2-2 Charlton Athletic

BRETT PITMAN rescued a point for Swindon Town as his 90th minute header earned the Robins a 2-2 draw at the County Ground in the last game before Christmas. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report following the entertaining encounter at SN1.

Diallang Jaiyesimi’s 25th minute opening goal was cancelled out by a Omar Bogle strike as the score remained level at half-time. Substitute Chuk Aneke looked to have sealed three points for the London side in the 60th minute before striker Brett Pitman came off the bench to equalise with a 90th minute header in front of the Town End.

Chances were few and far between during the opening ten minutes as Swindon enjoyed the majority of possession but failed to create anything of much significance. 

Akin Odimayo looked to test Charlton keeper Ben Amos with a driven shot from the edge of the box in the 11th minute but for Charlton Captain Jason Pearce to make a key block and put the ball out for a corner that came to nothing.

After demolishing Wimbledon 5-2 in a midweek victory, many were expecting Charlton to dominate from the first whistle. 

However Lee Bowyer’s side were sluggish and penned back throughout large parts of the first-half with Conor Washington’s off-target shot the only notable piece of attacking play from the visitors.

Setting Swindon up in a 4-4-2 diamond formation with Dion Conroy operating as a defensive midfielder alongside Anthony Grant and Diallang Jaiyesimi partnering Tyler Smith up front, the home side looked dangerous when in possession as quick one-touch passing created space for Town’s attackers to exploit.

Dion Conroy provided much-needed protection to Swindon’s defence whilst at the other end of the pitch the pace of Jaiyesimi, Tyler Smith, and Jonny Smith caused problems for Charlton’s defenders.

Positive patient build-up play eventually saw Swindon break the deadlock in the 25th minute as Dion Conroy’s pass inside the box found Jaiyesimi as the attacker twisted and turned before cutting back onto his left-foot and smashing the ball past Ben Amos to give Swindon a deserved lead.

Swindon had been the better team by far and took their chance well against a Charlton side that boasted one of the leagues best defensive records.

Unbeaten since the start of December, Charlton responded well with quick-fire corners seeking to unstick a Swindon defence that have struggled with set-pieces this season, however Sheridan’s tactics appeared to be working as the London outfit struggled to create any clear-cut chances.

The Robins appeared comfortable since taking the lead and if anything looked the more likely side of scoring, however a lapse in concentration allowed Charlton to casually get back into the game. 

A long ball over the top from Ian Maatsen caught Town’s defence unawares and as Zeki Fryers struggled to react, Omar Bogle took a touch and squeezed the ball past Kovar to level the match in the 36th minute.

Swindon have been masters of their own downfall for large parts of this season and once again struggled to cope with the most direct means of attack as they were cut open by a simple ball that should’ve been dealt with. 

Moments after the restart, Bogle had a chance to get his brace however the striker tried to do much after being found with a low cross into the box and put his chance wide. 

An entertaining end to the first-half saw Swindon presented with a great chance to restore their lead as a Swindon corner bounced inside the Charlton box and fall into the path of the oncoming Matt Smith but for Anthony Grant to nick the ball at the last second and hit his shot wide as the two sides left level at the break.

Jack Payne replaced Jonny Smith almost immediately after play resumed with the winger going down injured, and the Payne was almost immediately involved in a second Swindon goal as Jaiyeismi latched onto Payne’s corner delivery with his powerful strike that went inches over the bar.

Charlton looked more fluid in attack since the introduction of Chuck Aneke at half-time, but despite a flurry of crosses into the Swindon box in the 52nd minute, Swindon remained resolute at the back.

Jake Foster-Caskey was shown a yellow card for a challenge on Anthony Grant and the Charlton midfielder was almost involved in a second goal for his side just minutes later as the visitors countered in a 3v2 with Baudry’s interception stopping Aneke from being found unmarked in the box. 

However Charlton’s relentless attack finally forced Swindon’s hand with Chuck Aneke latching onto a simple pass from Alex Gibley inside the box and firing into an open net to give the visitors the lead for the first time in the 60th minute.

The goal looked offside but no offside was given and that is the type of luck that has evaded Swindon for large parts of the season. Charlton got men behind the ball for the remainder of the match with Aneke proving to be an out ball up top as the hosts tried to get something out of the game. 

Sheridan introduced striker Brett Pitman to try and force an equaliser but besides a few half-hearted crosses into the box failed to test the goal of Ben Amos who cut a composed figure when dealing with balls into his area.

Swindon looked set for a fifth straight defeat as the match entered the 90th minute but a last-ditch corner from Matt Smith found substitute Pitman inside the box with the striker rising highest to loop a header over Amos and score his fourth goal of the season.

Charlton attempted to mount a late surge as they piled men forward in the closing minutes of the match but Swindon held on to take a point and avoid a fifth-straight loss.