MATCH REPORT | Notts County 3-1 Swindon Town

Just two days after their victory over Grimsby, Swindon were back in action with their toughest test of the season so far - away to league leaders Notts County.

County were looking to bounce back following a 5-4 loss to Colchester at the weekend. Swindon talisman Jake Young was only fit enough for the bench, giving Rushian Hepburn-Murphy a chance to start. 

Swindon knew a win would take them top should Crawley drop points, and with a game in hand they could begin to build a gap, whoever came out on top today would be sending a message to the rest of the league. 

First Half

The game got underway with both sides playing with confidence, pressing high and as a result both sides struggled to get a grasp on the ball for too long. Hepburn-Murphy brought a big shout for a penalty when he was seemingly cut down in the box but the referee didn’t budge.

A back-and-forth opening 10 minutes ended with the hosts taking the lead. Jodi Jones played David McGoldrick in behind the Swindon defence and the striker chipped the ball over Murphy Mahoney who had rushed to meet him, giving Notts County a 1-0 lead with their first shot of the game.

Hepburn-Murphy had been the bright spark to restart the Swindon attack following the goal. The forward was proving a handful for the County defence and his foray in the 16th minute looked promising but he couldn’t find Charlie Austin. 

Moments later Swindon had the perfect chance to get back on level terms. Udoka Godwin-Malife got in behind and made it a three-on-one with Notts keeper Aidan Stone, the ball across found Austin, whose shot was then saved before the attack was pulled back for offside. 

Macaulay Longstaff nearly made it 2-0 to Notts County, Swindon had a free-kick in a good position but made a mess of it and County countered, Langstaff then had a chance but his effort was wide of the post. 

Halfway through the first half, despite Notts County leading, the game was very back and forth. The possession stats saw County have 55% of the ball with Swindon yet to even register a shot, whilst the home side had already had three. Town were really struggling to gain control out wide.

County had another big chance and Town were very lucky to remain only 1-0 down. Matthew Palmer caught Tariq Ukawake unaware, he played the ball in behind to Aaron Nemane who then found Daniel Crowley with his first-time strike flashing just wide. 

The game's momentum had firmly shifted to the hosts, Jones found a way around Remeao Hutton and forced Mahoney into a save.

The Magpie's persistent attacking paid off when Uwakwe brought down Nemane in the box. Langstaff fired home to make it 2-0 to the league leaders. 

It went from bad to worse for Swindon, just moments later the hosts found a third goal. Jones whipped a cross in and it was left completely uncontested and at the far post was Crowley who fired home to put the game out of reach before halftime. 

Hepburn-Murphy had the first real chance of the half for Swindon, the forward broke down the right and had a go from a tight angle that was smothered by Stone. It took 43 minutes, but Town had finally registered a shot on target.

The half-time whistle came sparing Swindon from suffering any further embarrassment. 

Second Half

Changes needed to be made if Swindon had any hope of a result. Michael Flynn turned to the bench at halftime and brought on Jake Young and Tyrese Shade for Uwakwe and Austin. 

Shade had only been on the pitch for a few minutes but that's all he needed. In the 50th minute, the ball out wide to Hutton was whipped across the County box and it fell to Shade who fired home to give life to Swindon again. 

Whatever Flynn told Shade was certainly having an effect, he nearly doubled his tally for the night when he drove into the box and had a shot, the effort was deflected and went wide, which won Town a corner. 

The second half was much better from Swindon, going from only five shots in the entire half to having six in the opening fifteen minutes of the second. 

Mahoney hadn’t had much to do in the second half but pulled off a double save to keep Swindon's hopes alive. First, he saved an almost point-blank header from McGoldrick, then managed to make it across his line to deny Crowley on the follow-up.

Frazer Blake-Tracey had a chance to make it 3-2 in the 64th minute, the centre-back found himself unmarked and on the end of a Hutton cross, but he could only head it into the ground and over the bar. Another big chance wasted.

70 minutes came and went and Swindon, despite creating chances, seemed no closer to a second. Town had controlled the majority of the possession and chances in the half, but the ever-present danger of Notts County was not allowing for Swindon to go all out in the search of a comeback. 
Hepburn-Murphy had not really been a threat in the second half but he had two chances back to back approaching the 75th minute. First driving at the County defence before shooting just wide. Then an audacious attempt from far out after spotting Stone off of his line. Stone looked to tip it over but a goal kick was awarded.

Swindon were not done fighting and as the game moved into the final ten minutes the chances were coming, first Hutton played in Hepburn-Murphy at the near post, but the forward’s flick wasn't enough to beat Stone who made the save.
  
Saido Kahn had the next chance when the ball fell to him just outside the box, but the County defence was on hand to block the Gambian's effort. 

Dan Kemp was the next to have a chance this time in the 87th minute his effort went over and Swindon continued to struggle to find that finishing touch.

Town fought until the final moments but were unable to convert their chances and the game finished Notts County 3-1 Swindon Town. 

Summary

Despite having over double the amount of shots, Swindon managed less shots on target than Notts County. The first half cost Swindon the game but the lack of a clinical edge cost them the comeback.

Lessons to be learnt for Saturday's game against Bradford.