Burton Albion 2 Swindon Town 0: Town served a reality check
On Saturday the two form teams, Burton Albion and Swindon Town met in what many saw as an early six pointer. Everything was in place for it to be a cracking game of football, but would Swindon be the happier of the two teams come 4:45? – reports Andrew Steele-Davis.
Swindon were extremely confident going into this fixture having come off the back of three straight league victories, two of which came against the early pacesetters in the league in Rotherham United and Crawley Town. The first ever trip to Burton and the Pirelli stadium was an exciting one and the thought of a fourth straight win and a further climb up the table had the away fans in buoyant mood before the game.
The hosts also had plenty to shout about, also being unbeaten in their last three games. A 2-2 draw against Oxford sandwiched in-between victories against Plymouth and Crewe. The script was written, so who would come out on top in the battle of the Paolo’s?
Town, who made just the one change this time out, Simon Ferry replacing Ahmed Abdulla, made a barnstorming start to the game, good work from the rapid Matt Richie on the wing whose cross found the in-form Mehdi Kerrouche, but the Algerian’s shot nestled into the side netting.
Swindon dominated the early stages of the game and the defence, which again featured Alan McCormack at its heart for the third game running, were hardly troubled. Town’s free flowing attacking football which has been so breathtaking to watch at times this season again came to the fore, a Richie cross after good build up play found Alan Connell in the box but his header drifted inches wide.
However, for all the possession and chances Town enjoyed in the opening twenty minutes of the game, it was Burton who opened the scoring completely against the run of play. Billy Kee making his debut after his loan switch from Torquay United scoring from his and Burton’s first chance of the game via his chest.
Swindon though almost responded immediately, Connell flashing his shot just past the Burton goal. Town’s new; never say die attitude was refreshing to see after last season’s attitude when going a goal down. And the togetherness which clearly binds this season’s team nearly delivered an equaliser ten minutes before the break, Kerrouche firing over from a free-kick 25 yards out after a period of sustained pressure by the visitors.
The hosts had chances of their own, Billy Kee failing to get his head to a decent delivery by Andy Corbett, where a touch would have surely made it 2-0 going in at the break.
After an overall encouraging first half display, Swindon would have been confident of getting back into the contest but an all too familiar Swindon goalkeeping horror show derailed Swindon’s performance.
Mattia Lanzano, who had kept clean sheets, although largely untroubled, in the wins over Southend and Crawley, failed to clear under limited pressure from Burton hotshot Justin Richards. His awful half hit clearance went straight to Jacques Maghoma who had an easy finish to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.
Swindon continued to push for a way back into the game, having several corners before the sixty minute mark, but as the case has been so often during this campaign so far, there was no end product. A wayward Simon Ferry effort the closest Swindon got to penetrating Ross Atkin’s goal in the second half.
The only bright point of an otherwise dire second half by Town was that of Miles Storey, brought on to replace Alan Connell at half time, the hot prospect impressed again and made a few intelligent runs and delivery’s into the box, but sadly his efforts were wasted as there was often not a Town shirt in the box to apply the finishing touches.
To cap off a disappointing afternoon for Di Canio’s side, Alan McCormack received his fifth booking of the campaign which means he will now have to sit out the Barnet game. Although perhaps this is a blessing is disguise to force Di Canio to revert to a more natural central defensive pairing.
Despite dominating periods of the game, Town were sorely missing a clinical presence up front and news that Leon Clarke had banged in a hat-trick for Chesterfield, making it five goals from three games, rubbed salt further into the wounds of the Town fans. Di Canio is now said to be stepping up his search for a new striker and the return of Lukas Magera from injury can’t come quick enough.
After three excellent performances and three excellent results, Swindon have now been dealt a harsh reality check and the lingering thought that League Two would be a walkover has now been dispelled completely.
The Washbag 