SWINDON TOWN 1

GRIMSBY TOWN 1

THE TOWN FLIER

Another great chance for Swindon to make a decisive move up the table went begging when they were held at home in a 1-1 draw by Grimsby writes Peter Mitchell.

Swindon played some good football but once again failed to make the most of their chances – which has largely been the story of their season.

Grimsby were hardly in the game in the first half and Town created a number of good openings. Right on the stroke of half time Kaiyne Woolery had a glorious chance, where it looked easier to score, but once again he fluffed his lines with his reluctance to shoot.

Grimsby’s one first half effort came when Kyle Knoyle was hesitant in defence and stand-in goalie Luke McCormick did well to keep Embleton’s shot out.

Not for the first time, Swindon failed to make use of a one man advantage when the visitors had Ludvig Ohman sent off just after the hour.

Theo Robinson did make the breakthrough shortly afterwards, with a well taken goal from a great through ball from Dion Conroy.

However, within two minutes Town had shot themselves in the foot once again. A cross into the box found Luke Hendrie completely free of red shirted defenders and he headed home easily from ten yards out.

Without Michael Doughty – now missing for at least two or three weeks – and Matt Taylor, Swindon seemed to be bereft of any ideas on the free kick front. In the second half, two taken by Jak McCourt from the edge of the area were woeful in their execution and, after he was substituted, it was left to defender Conroy to try two 30 yard pile-drivers that sailed well over the bar. Surely with all their training Town should be able to conjure up a bit more guile than was evidenced here ?

Post-match, Manager Richie Wellens was rightly critical of the relatively poor return Town are getting from both Kaiyne Woolery and Keshi Anderson, when their records are compared against newcomer Theo Robinson. This has been an area of key criticism all season I’m afraid.

So, although Swindon moved slightly up the table, they lost ground to the play-off places.

They are now seven points outside compared with six before the game started. This is still not beyond their reach but how many more chances will they squander before they can put together a good wining run at home ?

Next Saturday sees them at home to fifth place Colchester United, so the games don’t get any easier.