On Saturday 17th January top of the tree Swindon Town hosted one of League 1's form teams Chesterfield. Swindon who went back to the summit of League 1 after a 3-0 win away at Coventry on Monday night in front of the Sky cameras. Chesterfield however hadn't lost since early December and are challenging for a play-off spot.
Swindon came out of the blocks quickly and could have been ahead in the first minute as Michael Smith got down the side and swung the ball low into Andy Williams who miscued his shot and it went horribly wide.
Swindon as usual started trying to play the ball around and Chesterfield, unlike many teams at the County Ground, came to win the game, pressing high and trying to make chances happen. Swindon's Michael Smith had his shot blocked and both sides were having plenty of set pieces and it was only a matter of time before something went in. Then it did after Andy Williams won a free kick on the Swindon right, which Harry Toffolo swung in and at the back post Swindon's on loan Southampton centre back Jack Stephens glanced the ball into the back of the net to get himself off the mark for the Robins in the 16th minute.
The lead didn't last long as both Michael Smith and Nathan Thompson lost the ball in midfield allowing Chesterfield to switch possession wide where Clucas drifted in off of the wing and his curled effort was pushed into the corner by Swindon keeper Wes Foderingham.
Swindon in turn didn't waste time putting themselves back ahead as Michael Smith's shot was saved in the area and on loan midfielder John Swift swivelled in the box and turned home his first Swindon goal. From there until half time Swindon tried to control the game and chances came ainly from set pieces that nobody could get a touch to. The best chance fell to Chesterfield as Jimmy Ryan smashed his shot against the bar from a corner but the ball bounced down and away.
After half time both sides came out to get a goal to get the all important points, and before long Swindon got it. Louis Thompson passed forwards for John Swift who galloped forwards and rolled it in front of Williams who placed the ball beyond keeper Lee to put himself as joint top scorer with his 18th goal of the season after 46 minutes.
From then on the game lacked the quality to spark another goal as Swindon reverted to their short passing to tire out their opponents. Chesterfield's best chances were created by Swindon who insisted on passing short from every goal kick to a marked Nathan Thompson who, combined with keeper Wes Foderingham, performed an awkward 'to me to you' with the ball until Chesterfield had either dispossessed one or the ball was kicked long.
After the game Swindon manager Mark Cooper was very critical of his sides performance saying he thought that, 'In the first half we were okay but in the second half I don't think we were very good at all.' Though complimentary of Chesterfield and their tactics, 'Their game plan was to play in the second half and they saved everything they had for the second half.'
Chesterfield manager Paul Cook was similarly critical of his own sides performance, When you give poor goals away, you're going to struggle to win any game.' Though similarly complimentary of his opposition, 'I think Swindon are a fantastic team and I hope they go on and get promotion because they deserve it.'
Swindon will be pleased to get a win and stay top but staying with their feet on the ground as Mark Cooper denied looking at the League table and results of those around Swindon.
Man of the Match: Harry Toffolo
Swindon came out of the blocks quickly and could have been ahead in the first minute as Michael Smith got down the side and swung the ball low into Andy Williams who miscued his shot and it went horribly wide.
Swindon as usual started trying to play the ball around and Chesterfield, unlike many teams at the County Ground, came to win the game, pressing high and trying to make chances happen. Swindon's Michael Smith had his shot blocked and both sides were having plenty of set pieces and it was only a matter of time before something went in. Then it did after Andy Williams won a free kick on the Swindon right, which Harry Toffolo swung in and at the back post Swindon's on loan Southampton centre back Jack Stephens glanced the ball into the back of the net to get himself off the mark for the Robins in the 16th minute.
The lead didn't last long as both Michael Smith and Nathan Thompson lost the ball in midfield allowing Chesterfield to switch possession wide where Clucas drifted in off of the wing and his curled effort was pushed into the corner by Swindon keeper Wes Foderingham.
Swindon in turn didn't waste time putting themselves back ahead as Michael Smith's shot was saved in the area and on loan midfielder John Swift swivelled in the box and turned home his first Swindon goal. From there until half time Swindon tried to control the game and chances came ainly from set pieces that nobody could get a touch to. The best chance fell to Chesterfield as Jimmy Ryan smashed his shot against the bar from a corner but the ball bounced down and away.
After half time both sides came out to get a goal to get the all important points, and before long Swindon got it. Louis Thompson passed forwards for John Swift who galloped forwards and rolled it in front of Williams who placed the ball beyond keeper Lee to put himself as joint top scorer with his 18th goal of the season after 46 minutes.
From then on the game lacked the quality to spark another goal as Swindon reverted to their short passing to tire out their opponents. Chesterfield's best chances were created by Swindon who insisted on passing short from every goal kick to a marked Nathan Thompson who, combined with keeper Wes Foderingham, performed an awkward 'to me to you' with the ball until Chesterfield had either dispossessed one or the ball was kicked long.
After the game Swindon manager Mark Cooper was very critical of his sides performance saying he thought that, 'In the first half we were okay but in the second half I don't think we were very good at all.' Though complimentary of Chesterfield and their tactics, 'Their game plan was to play in the second half and they saved everything they had for the second half.'
Chesterfield manager Paul Cook was similarly critical of his own sides performance, When you give poor goals away, you're going to struggle to win any game.' Though similarly complimentary of his opposition, 'I think Swindon are a fantastic team and I hope they go on and get promotion because they deserve it.'
Swindon will be pleased to get a win and stay top but staying with their feet on the ground as Mark Cooper denied looking at the League table and results of those around Swindon.
Man of the Match: Harry Toffolo