MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 3-1 Notts County

SWINDON TOWN scored three second-half goals courtesy of Kaiyne Woolery and Theo Robinson to run out 3-1 winners at the County Ground as Notts County were relegated from the English Football League. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report.

Swindon Town were presented with the chance to make history against Notts County today. However it wasn’t the iconic history of promotion or title wins, it was the chance to relegate the World’s longest-serving league club from the English Football League.

A lively and frantic start saw both sides exchange possession as some meaty challenges early on set the tone for the rest of the match. 

County striker Craig Mackail-Smith made a nuisance of himself up against returning Swindon defender Tom Broadbent whilst at the other end Theo Robinson got in behind the away sides defenders well only to be let down by a poor first touch. 

End-to-end football saw both Swindon Town and Notts County make inroads in the final third but it was the hosts who threatened with the games first shot in the 11th minute. 

Picking the ball up on the left wing, Robinson cut inside before firing a shot towards goal, but it was well wide of the post. 

Immediately down the other end, David Vaughan hoped to give his side an early lead with a long-range shot only to see his effort trickle wide of the post. 

As the minutes passed by so did Notts County’s chances of staying in the English Football League, as quick counter-attacking play saw Swindon impose themselves on the match.

Robinson looked through on goal after being played through by Woolery in the 17th minute but by delaying his shot he allowed County to organise and the attack petered out.

Moments later Robinson again found himself in space just inside the Notts box before cutting the ball back to the arriving Knoyle who’s effort deflected behind for a corner. 

News filtered through on the stroke of half-time that Macclesfield were losing and the County fans roared their side on as the half-time whistle blew just moments later. 
 
Play resumed and the result at Macclesfield appeared to have injected a new lease of life into the Notts County players. 

Boldewijn won a free-kick that failed to test McCormick before Swindon went up the other end looking to take the lead but for Bennett’s shot to sail over the bar of Schofield. 

Moments later however the County Ground erupted from the away end as referee Stephen Martin awarded a penalty to Notts County after Broadbent brought down Smith inside the Town box. 

Kane Hemmings fired his shot past McCormick to give his side the lead and send the away fans wild. 

Having taken the lead County continued to press and create chances whilst Swindon struggled to find a foothold. 

Notts County were playing for the futures and the intensity levels between the two sides couldn’t have been more evident. Swindon were slow and struggled to take control whilst County pressed and looked hungry but the quality shown through as Town equalised in the 69th minute. 

Picking up the ball on the left-wing Doughty played a driven pass into Woolery who used his pace to skip past Sam Stubbs before unleashing a shot that fired past Schofield. 

With the match level, Notts County’s 157-year stay in the English Football League appeared to be over. 

Desperate to re-take the lead, Neal Ardley pushed his players forward but an over committal of attackers left Notts County vulnerable at the back. 

A long-ball from McCormick played up to Robinson was brought down well as the striker dribbled into the opposition box and fired a left-footed shot into the roof of the net to give Swindon the lead. 

Behind and deflated Notts County appeared resounded to the inevitability of relegation as sloppiness crept into every area of the County players game. Simple passes went astray, shots lacked power and energy levels dropped. 

Matty Taylor came on to make the final appearance of his career with not long left in the game before Theo Robinson headed past Schofield in added time to score his second and cement Swindon’s victory in the final game of the League Two season. 

Notts County arrived at the County Ground full of hope and determination as they attempted to extend their record stay in the English Football League, but quality prevailed as Swindon ran out winners and Notts County were relegated.