Swindon Town 5-0 Tranmere Rovers

Town gave their supporters an early Christmas present on Friday night with the thrashing of League 1 leaders Tranmere Rovers at the County Ground.

Paolo Di Canio named an unchanged side from the win over Oldham last Saturday, and his players repaid his faith with a clinical performance.

The game was over within half an hour as Town raced into a 4-0 lead thanks to a mixture of ruthless finishing and woeful Tranmere defending.

Danny Hollands opened the scoring after four minutes as he latched on to a loose ball to lash home from 18 yards out, before Raffa De Vita saw his shot take a deflection and flash past Owain fon Williams in the visitors’ goal.

It was three on 21 minutes as Nathan Thompson surged down the right flank before picking out Andy Williams with an inch perfect cross which the striker duly buried with a neat finish.

And Matt Ritchie popped up to make it four after 33 minutes, finishing at the second attempt after fon Williams had blocked his initial effort.

There was no respite for Rovers after the break as Williams grabbed his second and Town’s fifth with a precise curling effort from 20 yards on 51 minutes.

The former Yeovil Town man had a gilt-edged chance to seal his hat trick when Chris Martin won a penalty on 68 minutes, but fon Williams produced an excellent save to deny him.

With the game won, Town took the chance to enjoy themselves in its closing stages as they saw out what was a hugely impressive victory over a stuttering Rovers side.

Di Canio’s side now prepare for the visit of Portsmouth to the County Ground on New Year’s Day.