Swindon Men's 1s 5 - 2 Bristol Uni A

Thanks to Jim for this week's match report:

The game started poorly for the home side, with a Bristol attacker rolling strong at the top of the circle before smashing the ball home to make it 1-0. Swindon rallied and played some good hockey, finding Dave Miles at the top of the circle. Miles showed good composure, rolling strong himself before rifling the ball home. Minutes later the move was repeated, with the same deadly outcome from Miles. Swindon ended the first half with 10 men as captain Tom Gillingham saw green for a deliberate foot to prevent a quick Bristol break.

The second half saw Swindon put under more pressure, but Jonathan Griffiths proved a tough man to beat and the defence worked hard to prevent the visitors from levelling. The Swindon midfield worked tirelessly but the home side struggled to create opportunities and were defending for their lives. Their resolve was finally broken having stopped five short corners in a row, the sixth finding the bottom corner beyond Griffiths stick.

Swindon quickly went back in front, with composed play from veteran Chris Parsons, who found youngster Aidan Bramwell inside the circle. Bramwell unleashed a vicious goal bound strike that right back Tom Goldsmith ensured went in. The goal of the game came from the right back area as Jim Towers found Goldsmith in space. Goldsmith played the ball into the middle towards James Young, who stepped over the ball to deceive basically everyone on the pitch, except Tom Wickens, who strolled in and slotted beyond the keeper to make the game safe. Swindon immediately made it five as Wickens threw an overhead pass to Phil Scarisbrick, who controlled expertly before rounding the keeper.

After the game, Miles commented, "It felt good to score two goals and to not be carded in the first half, I was a lucky boy."

Next week the boys travel to Clifton Robinsons A, looking to avenge a frustrating home defeat in the first half of the season.

MOM: Dave Miles, nice goals, great legs.