Swindon 3rds 0 – 4 West Wilts B

The threes hit the road for the first of their furthest away games. There was potential for Swindon to take something from the game with the West Wilts side sitting just below them in the table.

The game set off with both teams fairly evenly matched with neither keeper really being tested. Roughly two thirds of the way through the game though West Wilts scored three quick Goals. The first goal of the game was rather unlucky and got keeper Tom Kerslake his first goal of the season. The ball was stuck in hard by a lone attacker who left unmarked at the top of the D. The ball ricocheted off the post and hit the back of the leg of the committed keeper and ended up in the goal.

Goal two soon followed with an element of indecisiveness by the Swindon keeper. A shot was taken from the left side of the D which was initially saved with a long stretching right leg, which left the keepers slightly off balance. As a result, this left the keeper on the floor on top of the ball and in an effort to avoid a short corner decided to try and clear the ball. But this gave the stalking attacker the opportunity to go for the ball too and flicked the loose ball out of the keepers reach and into the goal.

Goal three simple came from West Wilts piling bodies into the D, completely overwhelming the Swindon defence and leaving the keeper in no mans land.

Matters got worse for Swindon as James Newman sent off for an alleged deliberate attempt to stop the ball with his foot. His reason when approaching the umpire was “it’s slippy” but the team managed to hold on until the half time whistle.

The second half saw Swindon a different Swindon team which dominated the majority of the play. Passes began to link and opportunities began to occur. To add to the new lease of life found in Swindon’s attitude towards the game, two West Wilts player were sent off within a short space of time of each other. Swindon pressed and earned a few short corners but failed to capitalise in the end.
Despite the efforts of the team, the West Wilts side found the Swindon D again and managed to earn themselves a short corner off of a foot again which eventually was put away to the diving keepers left.

Despite the loss today, the second half showed our capabilities and the reason that showed is because we communicated better (Will Porter making some great calls), we encourage each other more (demonstrated well by Phil Scarisbrick), we kept our heads up and maintained a positive state of mind; all qualities which were highlighted in a previous match report. But we need to do this in the first half too!

We know that some of those that have played up for the third team and some of the regular third team have had their feathers ruffled slightly by the names they were given by the opposition when marking up. Although very unnecessary, particularly when aimed at the younger members of the team, there is nothing that can be done about it (unless it is raised). This should not be a reason to get your heads down. Instead, use it! Focus your frustration on getting back at the opposition via your skill!

Praise must definitely be given to Tom Sewell, Peter Gilbert and Earl Cooke for their effort on their debut for the thirds today, showing signs that they can make the step up from the fourth team.