MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town (1) v (1) Plymouth Argyle

SWINDON TOWN were made to rue missed chances as a late equalising goal from Plymouth Argyle saw the spoils split at the County Ground. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report following the action.

A brilliantly worked goal from Eoin Doyle on the stroke of half-time looked to have secured Swindon all three league points before Joel Grant’s 76th minute strike levelled the scoreline. 

Richie Wellens promised a host of changes would be made following Tuesday’s EFL Cup defeat to today’s opponents Plymouth Argyle, and the STFC manager remained true to his word making seven changes from the mid-week starting XI. 

A league debut for goalkeeper Steven Benda was partnered by a debut for new recruit Dion Donohue following the announcement of his arrival just over an hour before kick-off created an aura of unexpectedness from today’s game but Swindon failed to get back to winning ways. 

A fast-paced start from Swindon saw the home side press high up the pitch as Ryan Lowe’s Plymouth were restricted of possession in the opening ten minutes. Keshi Anderson back in the side following an injury lay-off earned his side an early shot on target as his 3rd minute shot was hit straight at Argyle keeper Alex Palmer. 

Town maintained their tempo winning the ball back high up the pitch but the biggest of the initial chances fell to Plymouth’s Zak Rudden who after being played through by a ball from Joel Grant, rolled the ball past Benda only for his final touch to be heavy and the ball roll out for a goal-kick. 

However Plymouth failed to push on, and as Swindon’s Anthony Grant started to spray impressive balls out too the Town wide-men countless openings started to appear amongst Argyle’s back-line. 

Unable to feature against parent club Bradford last weekend, Eoin Doyle was just a well-timed header away from opening scoring as delightful crosses into the box by Lloyd Isgrove were wasted by the Swindon frontman. 

Injury concerns for Swindon saw a trio of players go down as Keshi Anderson, Lloyd Isgrove, and Anthony Grant all received treatment inside the first 45 minutes, but to the relief of the crowd all were able to rejoin the action. 

Swindon, looking a completely different outfit from the side that were humiliated by Plymouth on Tuesday evening, continued to go searching for an opening goal with long balls down the wings wreaking havoc on the opposition defence. 

However, their commitment to push forward almost saw Plymouth take a surprise lead on the stroke of half-time as Rudden’s close-range shot was well-saved by Benda. 

With four minutes of added time announced it looked as if the two close-competitors would head in with the scores level at half-time. But Swindon’s Doyle had other ideas as the striker chipped over Palmer to score his eighth of the season. 

Beautiful build-up play saw Anderson carry the ball forward over the halfway line before playing a pass into Jerry Yates who layed it off for Jordan Lyden as the midfielder then cut the Plymouth defence apart with a through ball into Doyle as the on-loan striker finished the move off brilliantly. 

The two teams left the pitch just moments later with Swindon deservedly in front. 

Plymouth emerged for the second period of play looking the more aggressive of the two sides as Ryan Lowe’s squad attempted to grab an early equaliser. 

Rudden appeared to be the most likely outlet of goals for Argyle but his off-target shot in the 53rd minute was the closest the seaside club came to scoring in the opening period of the second half. 

In contrast, Swindon looked happy to sit back and defend with Yates and Isgrove remaining high upfield to offer pace on the counter-attack. 

Having gone down in the first-half, Anderson again went to ground with Michael Doughty replacing him in the 57th minute. 

Plymouth’s intensity to level the scoreline was matched by Town’s dogged defensive determination, but a period of ill-discipline and questionable calls from referee Rob Lewis saw the game descent into a stop-start passage of play as both sets of players committed countless fouls. Mathieu Baudry and Jordan Lyden both being shown yellow cards.

Plymouth maintained their press and and as Swindon rested on their laurels, the visitors began to carve gaps amongst the Town defence. 

The substitutions of Jose Baxter and George Cooper added fresh energy to the Argyle attack and the away side finally forced an equaliser in the 76th minute as Cooper played in Joel Grant, with the striker smashing the ball past the helpless Benda. 

The goal had been coming and Wellens’ option to sit deep perhaps showed Plymouth too much respect as Swindon failed to get back to winning ways. 

The late introduction of Kaiyne Woolery offered Swindon a last-ditch glimpse of hope with his 84th minute shot narrowly going the wrong side of the post. Antoni Sarcevic nearly made matters a whole lot worth in the final moments of the game as the Plymouth midfielders bullet shot forced a terrific save from Benda. 

Swindon were hard done by the referee at times throughout the game but they could only hold themselves to blame as missed chances allowed Plymouth to grab an equaliser and extend Swindon’s winless home streak to four games.