SWINDON TOWN 3

PORT VALE 2

By Peter Mitchell

MANAGER David Flitcroft was very protective in his post-match interview, knocking the press for allegedly only picking up on the negative aspects of his team’s performances.

Swindon have produced some very poor performances this season and have been heavily criticised as a result – especially with regard to their very obvious defensive frailties - but equally they have been highly praised for their consistently good away displays and for several good home wins.

Let’s be honest David, Swindon have lost 13 of their 34 games (40% of their matches), so it would be delusive to watch every game through rose-coloured spectacles!

Other results mean the Town are still in a play-off spot (6th) but have lots of work to do to get into that top three. Their meagre goal difference will also do them no favours with it standing at only +5, and the teams above them on at least +18. Thankfully the frenetic period of fixtures is now over and Swindon are back to a schedule of one game per week.

For the visit of Port Vale, Town skipper Olly Lancashire failed to make the starting line-up, after the mid-week exertions at Wycombe, and was replaced in the centre of defence by Chris Robertson.

After ten minutes a poor defensive down header by Luke Norris, in his own box, found Michael Tonge who smashed home from six yards out.

Swindon hit back in the 24th minute, when the best piece of football in the game saw Matt Taylor provide yet another assist. His pinpoint cross from the by-line picked out Marc Richards, who headed home against his former club.

Then a nightmare gaff by Port Vale keeper Ryan Boot gifted Swindon the lead. His awful clearance rebounded back to Norris on the edge of the area but, with an open goal to aim at, the Town attacker selflessly passed to fellow striker Richards, who calmly finished for his second.

Shortly before the interval Swindon’s indecision in defence reared its head once more. Again, it seemed keeper Reice Charles-Cook was reluctant, or undecided, about meeting a corner kick and former Town loanee Cristian Montano converted for the Valiants.

The second half proved to be very forgettable and the number of chances created by either side could be counted on one hand.

Just as it looked as the though honours would be even, Swindon got out of jail. A great cross field ball from Banks found Kyle Knoyle on the right of the area. From his header, substitute Paul Mullin somehow scooped it over the goalkeeper and Town grabbed all three precious points with two minutes to spare.

This is welcome news considering the unfortunate disclosure that key defender Matt Preston is out for the rest of the season. With Olly Lancashire having to soldier on regardless (he will also need surgery after May), the defence is now looking both fragile and lean for the 12-match run in.