MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 4-2 Burton Albion

SWINDON TOWN produced their best performance of the Richie Wellens era to earn their second win of the League One season with a dominant 4-2 victory over Burton Albion at the County Ground. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report following the action.

First-half goals from Jordan Stevens, Brett Pitman, and Mathieu Baudry proved to be to much for Burton Albion as Swindon showcased their attacking capabilities in an entertaining County Ground clash. 

Jonny Smith made it four with his second-half strike but the Robins were made to survive a late-scare as Lucas Akins reduced the deficit late on before hitting the post moments later.

Swindon Town signalled their intent to bounce back to winning ways with a goal in the opening ten minutes as debutant Jordan Stevens opened his account with a neat strike across goal past Ben Garratt to give Town the lead. 

On the front-foot from the starting whistle, Swindon pressed with the dogged determinedness that has become trademark under Richie Wellens as Albion struggled to get hold of the game. 

Swindon’s front trio of Jack Payne, Brett Pitman and on-loan Leeds winger Stevens rarely allowed the visitors defence a moment on the ball, whilst in behind Matt Smith and Anthony Grant dominated the midfield. 

An early goal for Swindon appeared to give them the confidence needed to push on for a second as Pitman demonstrated his strength by holding off John Brayford before turning inside the Burton box and flashing his effort just wide of the post. 

But the Robins kept on creating chances and just a moment later it was Matt Smith who had the opportunity to double Swindon’s lead after being found unmarked inside the Albion box, but his shot was quickly closed down and deflected safely into the keepers hands. 

After a frantic start that few were expecting given the impressive fashion of Burton’s win over Accrington Stanley last time out, Albion understandably tried to take the sting out of the game and more importantly Swindon’s attack. 

But aside from Colin Daniel’s half-hearted strike, that was comfortably saved by Matej Kovar, there was little to write home about for the away side. 

In contrast, Swindon were relentless and finally got their second breakthrough in the 30th minute as Brett Pitman latched onto Payne’s low-cross to smash home from close-range, scoring his first goal for the club and giving the home side a two-goal cushion. 

Richie Wellens’ game-plan was clear for everyone to see and Burton just could not handle their counterparts as the newly-promoted League Two champions reaped the reward from a footballing masterclass combining free-flowing attacking football with robust defensive pressure.

Swindon thoroughly deserved their lead and Burton’s struggles were made worse just moments later as Baudry rose highest inside the area to connect with a Caddis corner and make it three-nil to the hosts as the Frenchman scored his first goal for the Wiltshire outfit.

The game appeared to be done and dusted with minutes still left in the first-half as Swindon strolled around the pitch showcasing their quality in every department, but a lapse in concentration in the closing moments of the first-half saw Stephen Quinn’s sweetly hit strike find the back of the net to hand the visitors a lifeline 

The half-time whistle blew moments later with Swindon firmly in control and the result almost already cemented. 

Play resumed and it was more of the same from the hosts as they continued to go on the hunt for more goals with Richie Wellens urging his side to kill the game off. 

But despite dominating in almost every department it was Burton who managed the first-chance of the half with Kovar’s complacency on the ball giving Kane Hemmings an opportunity to disposes the Swindon shot-stopper as a last-minute punt saw the ball sent into the stands. 

However chances remained few and far between for Jake Buxton’s side with more misery heaped on Burton in the 60th minute as Jonny Smith was played through on goal by Matt Smith with the winger clipping the ball over the on-rushing Garratt from six-yards out to make it 4-1 Swindon.

Swindon arguably producing their best performance under Richie Wellens were a class above their opponents, and the scoreline reflected the gap in quality between the two sides. 

However whilst they had dominated the whole game, the hosts had to survive a late scare as Lucas Akins headed goal in the 77th minute saw the deficit reduced to just two goals, before his header just a minute after the restart rebounded off the post and into the arms of Kovar, much to the relief of the Swindon players and staff.

Giving their opposition the respect they deserved, Swindon saw out the rest of the game with much more control and authority as they restricted Burton of possession and ran down their clock. 

Dion Donohue came on in the closing minutes to mark his return to professional football, as Swindon saw out the rest of the match in uneventful fashion to earn their second win of the season.