Swindon Town 2

Oldham Athletic 0

A year ago Swindon could easily have lost this sort of game against Richie Wellens’ previous club, Oldham Athletic, writes Peter Mitchell.

Although playing relatively poorly, in that they lacked their usual crisp flowing movement, they were good enough to deserve and take all three points. They carved out few real chances, and looked a little vulnerable in defence on occasions, but it is this sort of winning performance that prospective league winners need to be able to produce. An improved attendance of 6.800 on a traditional Christmas shopping Saturday was a welcome sight.

The mystery man with a long-term injury turned out to be midfielder Jordan Lyden, but Town are fortunate to be well covered in that area at the moment. The manager took a positive approach to the problem by replacing Lyden with pacey attacker Diallang Jaiyesimi

Although Michael Doughty had a very quiet game, he did make the opening goal when he floated a perfect 30-yard pass into the path of Kaiyne Woolery. The striker, for once, didn’t dilly-dally but unleashed a corker into the far corner.

Town tied up the points when, with 5 minutes left, it was that man again, who received a pass near the edge of the box and finished in his usual style. He has now scored at least a goal in nine straight league games as Town posted their seventh league win on the spin.

Could Eoin Doyle possibly equal the phenomenal record of Swindon legend, Harry Morris, which has stood for almost 100 years? Morris scored 47 league goals in 1926/27, including scoring in eleven consecutive league games. Not many would bet against it right now.

It was good to see fit-again Keshi Anderson given a half-hour run out. He looked very sharp and full of energy.

This might be needed next Saturday when Town visit local rivals and contenders, Forest Green Rovers. It’s all set up for a highly interesting and important encounter. Swindon still lead the table by three points, and with seven wins on the bounce are now seven points clear of Rovers.