Hall of Shame: Vote for the worst match under Malpas
Each month we’ll invite our readers to induct an entry into the Hall of Shame. For the first vote we’re asking you to decide which was the worst match under the tenure of Maurice Malpas.
We’ve picked five choices. Vote for the match that should be inducted into the Hall of Shame. Voting closes at 5pm on Wednesday 25th Jan. The match will then by inducted on Thursday.
Match A: vs Barnet – FA Cup Third Round Replay
In the replay at Underhill against League Two opponents, Swindon were embarrassed as Malpas threw away the best chance to progress beyond the 3rd Round for the first time since 1996.
After Billy Paynter scored for both sides and Barnet went down to ten men, the replay progressed to extra-time, then penalties; when Paynter, Roberts, Aljofree and Comminges all missed their spot kicks and Barnet sneaked through to a tie with Bristol Rovers.
SkySports highlights
Match B: vs Leeds United – League One 13th September 2008
Despite Alan Sheehan being given his marching orders for Leeds after only 9 minutes, Town failed to capitalise going down to a 3-1 defeat at the County Ground.
Yet again it was the mistakes that cost Malpas dear. First, Ifil failed to control a harmless ball and Beckford gave Leeds the opener. Then, after Simon Cox equalised, a Kilkenny free-kick was fumbled by Phil Smith to see the ball squirm out of his grasp and into the net. Late on Beckford finished off the scoring, but the embarrassing errors had – yet again – proved Town’s undoing.
Phil Smith fumbles it into his goal and is goaded with “2-1, It’s Your Keeper’s Fault!”
Match C: vs Millwall – League One 28th September 2008
The home 1-2 defeat against Millwall was the match when an awful performance really got Town fans venting their frustrations towards Maurice Malpas.
A lethargic performance, a fluke goal for Town, tactical errors, poor substitutions and yet more mistakes (for Phil Smith) left everyone at the County Ground bemused at our prospects under the hapless manager.
Match highlights
Match D: vs Hartlepool – League One 3rd October 2008
The week after the Millwall defeat Town travelled to Hartlepool and quickly raced to a 3-0 half time lead thanks to a superb Simon Cox hatrick. For the first time in weeks things looked up for Malpas…
Straight after the interval Joel Porter got one back and then Town held on and looking good for a win. That was until an 82nd minute soft free kick from Porter found it’s way underneath the wall but yet again Phil Smith was culpable, as he allowed the ball to spin out of his arms and into the net.
Hartlepool got their third and Porter’s hatrick right at the death as Town failed to clear under pressure and – with Smith in no mans land – Porter looped his shot to make it 3-3
Match E vs Histon – FA Cup First Round 8th November 2008
Town travelled to Cambridgeshire for this First Round tie against non-league opponents and were dumped out of the cup.
Swindon were not a match for Histon, who caused one of the shocks of the round, thanks to a magnificent performance for striker Daniel Wright. Wright was a constant threat throughout and grabbed the only goal of the game midway through the second half.
It could have been two or three to the non-league side, as Town rarely threatened and were completely outmanoeuvred by a bunch of part-timers.
A few days later Malpas finally departed after another cup defeat by Brighton.
The Washbag 
I have returned … whhoooooo
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Malpas was a wonderful argument for the importance of tactics. He had some very good players, and some poor ones, but the shape was dreadful. He goes and suddenly the team was significantly better – albeit with the addition of one very good one in Greer.
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