MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 0-1 Fleetwood Town

SWINDON TOWN slumped into the League One relegation zone as Fleetwood Town ran out one-nil victors at the County Ground on the day that fans returned to SN1 for the first time this season. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report.

Picture credit: Swindon Town FC

Paddy Madden scored the only goal of the game as his 29th minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides. 

Swindon started on the front-foot with some fluid passing through the heart of midfield creating problems for Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town as Matt Smith, Jack Payne, and Diallang Jaiyesimi all threatened in attacking areas. 

Hallam Hope looked to get in behind the Fleetwood defence in the 10th minute as Jack Payne found him with a well-worked through ball, only for the winger to turn back as Wesley Burns put him under pressure when he would’ve been better suited to take the defender on.

Payne was again involved minutes later linking up with Jaiyesimi with the eventual pass inside the six-yard box intercepted by Charlie Mulgreen. 

Breaking on the counter-attack Joshua Morris had a chance to put Fleetwood in front after breaking into the Swindon box but wasted the opportunity as his pass for Paddy Madden was cleared by Dion Conroy.

Fleetwood continued to grow as momentum started to swing in favour of the visitors where after failing to capitalise on some good attacking play in the opening stages of the match, Swindon sat deep looking short of ideas.

Goalkeeper Matej Kovar avoided embarrassment as his attempted clearance rebounded off Paddy Madden and fortunately out for a goal-kick in the 26th minute. 

But the on-loan Man United goalkeeper could do little to keep the ball out of his net just four minutes later as Madden reacted first inside the box to flick on Morris’ corner and give Fleetwood the lead.

Poor defending from Anthony Grant allowed Madden to get to the near-post first and put Fleetwood in front.

Fleetwood parked men behind the ball for the remainder of the half with Swindon failing to test Leutwiler as the teams went in level at the break.

Swindon started the second half with more attacking intent as they attempted to get back into the match and nearly got an equaliser in the 47th minute. Matt Smith’s deflected cross almost squeezed inside the post with the Fleetwood keeper making a last-gasp save and putting the ball behind for a corner that came to nothing.

However, apart from that chance, there wasn’t much action to entertain the 2000 fans inside the stadium as the clock ticked by with neither side looking like producing a second goal of the game.

Questionable fouls broke up the game with Joey Barton instructing his players to get men behind the ball and defend deep against Swindon’s long-ball tactics.

Swindon eventually sparked back into life with ten minutes remaining producing numerous saves from Leutwiler to keep Fleetwood’s lead intact.

Jack Payne’s 80th minute shot across goal looked goal-bound with the keeper stretching to deny the attacker, as Odimayo put a brilliant ball in across the face of the visitors goal in the 88th minute with no Swindon player able to get the final touch.

 Swindon couldn’t muster a successful late charge despite having goalscoring chances as Fleetwood ran out eventual winners in this tightly-fought County Ground clash.