MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 3-2 Stevenage FC

SWINDON TOWN earned back-to-back victories for the first time this season as they outclassed Stevenage in an enthralling game of football to give Richie Wellens his first home win as manager. TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report from The County Ground.

Academy products Sol Pryce and Scott Twine led Swindon to victory as three first-half goals including a brace from debutant Pryce were enough for the hosts to seal all three points in an action-packed fixture. 

Swindon won the toss and just five passes later they were in front. On the evening of his senior league debut, youth academy product Sol Pryce was found unmarked at the back post by a Steven Alzate cross and simply had to tap the ball away from inside the six-yard box. 

An early goal too often brings complacency with it, but high on confidence Swindon double their lead just moments later as Scott Twine found the back of the net in the 7th minute. 

Birthday boy Matty Taylor shooting on target from a free-kick 35 yards out saw his shot parried away by Stevenage keeper Dieng only for the ball to fall to Twine who was left with a simple finish from close range. 

Two goals down within the games opening minutes came as a rude awakening for a Stevenage side that had won three of their last four matches. 

And struggling to put simple passes together saw the away side fail to make any significant impact. 

But despite dominating, Town lost any hope of a clean sheet as Scott Cuthbert headed in from close range for the visitors in the 13th minute. 

Town’s defenders failing deal with a simple cross from the left wing didn’t pick up the run of the centre-back who crept in at the back post to head at Vigouroux who could only parry the attempt into the roof of his net.  

An electric start made for a fantastic viewing spectacle for those in attendance, but instead of sitting back after conceding, Swindon went straight back onto the attack. 

Getting the ball down saw Town’s players create neat triangles all over the pitch as the pace of their attack caused problems in every department for the visitors. 

Steven Alzate went close to making it three as his shot from the edge of the box hit the woodwork in the 22nd minute. Whilst Michael Doughty, starting his first match for nearly a month, dictated play in the middle of the park as the game progressed. 

Cuthbert’s header in the 39th minute presented Stevenage with their best chance of equalising after rising highest in the box and forcing a stunning save from Vigouroux. 

And with half-time edging nearer, Swindon looked set to end the opening passage of play a goal in front. However, debutant Sol Pryce had other ideas as the 18-year-old got his second in added time. 

Doughty picking up the ball on halfway line strode forward before playing a delicate reverse through ball into the path of Pryce who rushed down on goal before lifting the ball over the oncoming Dieng. 

A brilliant finish made to look easy by a striker who was making the most in the absence of the clubs first-choice strikers.

The whistle blew just moments later as Swindon went in at the halfway stage with a comfortable lead following a breath-taking 45 minutes.

Play resumed and with a lead of two goals, Swindon’s players sat back reserving their energy as Stevenage controlled the game but failed to create. 

Seddon provided the away side with a half-chance after working his way into the box well early on in the second half only for Sid Nelson to slide in with a last-ditch tackle.

Batteries fully recharged, Richie Wellens’ youthful attack minded Swindon side went on the hunt for more goals. 

Luke Woolfenden nearly got on the scoresheet but for his diving header to be saved by the stretching Dieng in the 63rd minute, as Ellis Iandolo’s shot from 35 yards out in the 74th minute sailed just over the bar.

Impressive throughout saw Swindon deservedly in front. But football is often a game of luck and that’s just what Stevenage needed as Joel Byrom’s deflected shot trickled past Vigouorux to give the 
Hertfordshire team a lifeline in a game where they had been outplayed and outclassed. 

With the game entering its final moments, Swindon reversed tactics as they sat back to defend their lead. 

Direct balls into the box gave Town’s defenders plenty to deal with but calmness and quality prevailed as Swindon ran out deserved winners in a match that will stay forever in the memory of Sol Pryce.