MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town (0) v (0) Stevenage

SWINDON TOWN finished 2021 with a low-action goalless draw against Stevenage as Ben Garner’s side managed just a solitary shot on target against relegation contending Stevenage. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report from the County Ground.

Last featuring on 11th of December in their away loss to Barrow, Swindon looked like a side that hadn’t played for 18 days as they started slowly against Stevenage. No Swindon player, bar perhaps Harry McKirdy, looked sharp, with the Christmas lay-off failing to inject energy into the opening stages of this League Two encounter.

An early free-kick for Stevenage almost spelt disaster for the Robins as a floated delivery into the box was missed by Wollacott as he came off his line to punch clear, with Rob Hunt then producing a hooked clearance for Chris Lines’ goal-bound effort.

Lines was then involved moments later but couldn’t convert from inside the Swindon box as Jake Reeves’ fizzed long-range strike escaped the hands of Wollacott with Lines latching onto the rebound but hitting his effort straight at the keeper.

A significant rest period of over two weeks had the capability to inject fresh pace into Swindon, however, Ben Garner’s side looked to struggle in the final game of 2021. 

Finding it hard to adjust to the pace of the game, poor accuracy in their passing, and unusually poor play from the hosts saw Jayden Mitchell-Lawson’s off-target shot in the 31st minute the closest Swindon went to scoring in the first half.

In contrast, Stevenage looked dangerous every time they attacked as Luke Norris went close to breaking Swindon hearts on his return to the club but watched on in disdain as his header at the back-post rebounded out off the post.

Stevenage attempted to grab a deserved goal to put them in front at the end of half-time but were left disappointed as promotion-chasing Swindon held on with the score level at the break.

List began the second half as well as he played the first but wasted a golden chance in the 52nd minute after being played through one-on-one with Wollacott by Chris Lines, but skying his shot over the bar.

Harry McKirdy attempted to inject some life into Swindon’s attack after first dribbling past two Stevenage players before shooting wayward from the edge of the box. 

Jonny Williams and Tyreece Simpson added much-needed intensity into Swindon’s attack with Simpson doing well to stretch the Stevenage defence. But despite causing momentary chaos in the Stevenage defence the game eventually settled.

Ben Gladwin struck Swindon’s first shot on target in the 80th minute but little could be done by either side to influence the scoreline as two teams needing big points each walked away from Wiltshire with one.