Swindon Town 3

Carlisle United 2 

This was a scoreline that really did belie the nature of the game, writes Peter Mitchell.

Swindon should have cantered to a win by at least three goals and yet the visitors, playing with ten men in the latter stages, were the strongest at the end and made it look a deceptively close encounter. It was anything but.

Town started positively, spraying passes around and coming forward non-stop. Carlisle were offering very little and for the first 20 minutes I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t sitting at the Nou Camp by mistake! Everyone was contributing and chances were in abundance. Somehow the first half ended goalless, with Swindon managing eleven shots to the visitors two.

Then the inevitable happened. After applying almost all the pressure, Town fell behind. The first piece of danger came when Harry McKirdy surged down the left, past about four Swindon defenders and found Olufela Olomola, who shot home from inside ten yards.

Swindon then produced a comeback that augers well for the season. Next time they go behind they will be able to look back and draw on this revival.

The impressive Lloyd Isgrove crossed into the box and after a frantic melee young Jerry Yates did well to poke it home when he was almost prostrate on the ground.

Fifteen minutes later, full-back Zeki Fryers attacked a Michael Doughty corner and powered home a super header.

It was now all Swindon and for once they were making and converted their chances.

Their third came when Keshi Anderson, again putting in an eye-catching display, put Kaiyne Woolery through with an inch perfect pass from ten yards inside his own half. For once Woolery made no mistake and beat the keeper in a one on one.

At this stage, although against a strong wind, no one would have bet against Swindon scoring a fourth. Instead, after former loanee Canice Carroll had been dismissed for a reckless a challenge, Town’s defence again showed their susceptibility. Carlisle’s Thomas left Fryers for dead, allowing Sagaf to put it away and produce the most flattering of score lines for Carlisle.

Hard to believe that this was the first time since 2006 that Town had managed to win their opening two games.

Lots of positives though. Swindon’s midfield and attack were almost faultless – and it’s not often that one can say that!

Ex-Villa man Jordan Lyden was superb in the middle and the hard working, energetic Yates will gain great confidence from his haul of two from two.

I can hardly wait until next Saturday when Town travel to fellow 100 percenters Exeter City for an intriguing encounter. Before that however they go to Colchester for a midweek League cup tie, for which, disappointedly, the manager has hinted at not fielding his strongest side.