MATCH REPORT | Swindon Town 5-3 Sutton United

Swindon hosted league strugglers Sutton United in what looked on paper to be a relatively simple three points that turned into anything but. Four offside goals and eight that counted it was Swindon who came out on top at the County Ground.

First Half

Swindon hit the ground running, on a blistering summer day and it was once again Jake Young the League Two POTM who fired Swindon into the lead just five minutes into the game. A lovely run started by a flick from Charlie Austin saw Young fire past Rose to make it 1-0 early on. 

Young opens the scoring. (Photo Credit - Robert Noyes)

It was only a short time until Swindon doubled their advantage with Jake Cain the goalscorer. A team move down the left saw the ball come swinging into the Sutton area that was not dealt with, the ball fell to Kemp who then knocked it back to Cain, who unleashed the ball into the back of the net from just outside the box. 

Cain nearly doubled his tally just moments later with Kemp once again turning provider but this time his effort was blocked by Jake Young who couldn't move out of the way in time. However, it would not be long until a third came along.

Austin should have buried the initial chance but Sutton could not clear the ball and a scramble ensued before Young did what he does best and fired home from close range making it three goals to the good and, seemingly putting Swindon out of sight. 

Young and Austin celebrate (Photo Credit - Robert Noyes)

Sutton began to get a grip on the game following the third goal and they would find a way back into the match when O’Brien broke into the Swindon box and cut the ball back to Craig Clay whose effort on goal was too much for Mahoney who could only push the ball into the corner of his goal. 

Just five minutes later the visitors would cut the lead to one. A long throw was allowed to bounce uncontested in the area and Goodlife simply turned and fired home to make it 3-2. The comeback was almost complete when once again Sutton broke the line and Coleys cross just missed Patrick who had an open goal to aim at. 

The halftime whistle would come and the stunned County Ground could not believe what they had seen. 

Second Half

The visitors would start the second half the way they ended the first, luckily for Swindon Coley's goal early into the half was called offside the comeback would have to wait for Sutton. This would be the first of four offside goals in the game.

Unfortunately, the next two would both come from Charlie Austin who slotted a rebound into the net and then headed another home just minutes later but neither would stand with Austin having been judged offside for both. The final offside goal would come from the visitors with O’Brien’s headed effort ruled out. 

Swindon would end the spell of offside goals when substitute Rushian Hepburn-Murphy turned and played a perfect pass to Dan Kemp, whose shot would go in via the crossbar. Swindon did not stop and looked to kill the game off once and for all.

Kemp wheels away in celebration (Photo Credit - Robert Noyes)

The killing blow would come from the man who provided the assist for the fourth, Hepburn-Murphy, who powered through the Sutton defence leaving one on the ground before sending another to the shops then powering a strike past the keeper to seal the game for Swindon. 

The full-time whistle would come and bring an end to a spectacular game of football with multiple stand-out performances from Young and Kemp in particular, as well as RHM who came from the bench getting a goal and an assist. 

A return to form for Michael Flynn's men after a previous goalless draw to Doncaster. The push to the top of the table continues and Swindon remain unbeaten in the league.