Swindon Town's most memorable opening day victories

SWINDON TOWN will find out their opening day opponents on Thursday as the full season fixture list is announced for all English Football League clubs. Ahead of the announcement, Total Sport Swindon’s Rajan Hothi looks back at some of Town's most memorable opening day victories.

Swindon Town 3-2 Macclesfield Town - 2018/19

Swindon kicked off their 18/19 campaign by hosting newly promoted Macclesfield Town at the County Ground. And come the final whistle, fans of both sides were left astounded after two injury-time penalties gave Swindon victory.

A dominant first-half saw Phil Brown's men unlucky to be heading into the second-half level, but it was Macclesfield who took the lead due to some poor defending from the hosts who allowed Koby Arthur to fire home from close range just a minute after the restart.

However, the Silkmen's lead didn't last long as Steven Alzate, was allowed too much space in the box and the Brighton loanees cross found the head of Michael Doughty to restore parity. 

Swindon had the momentum but became the masters of their own demise as goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux's weak pass fell into the path of Arthur who expertly dinked the Chilean to grab his brace and put Mark Yates' side ahead again.

Just as it looked like it was going to be a dream return to League Two for Macclesfield, Swindon were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time as Elijah Adebayo was adjudged to have been fouled. Doughty stepped up and somewhat, fortunately, converted from the spot to make it 2-2 in the sixth minute of added time. 

Macclesfield hearts were broken further when Keshi Anderson was felled in the box and Doughty made no mistake as he sealed his hat-trick and a late, late opening day win for Phil Brown and co.

Hartlepool United 0-1 Swindon Town - 2006/07

A clean sheet, three points, and a goalkeeper making two penalty saves on his debut. This encounter had it all for Swindon.

Hartlepool were awarded an early penalty as Joel Porter was brought down by Ricky Shakes, but the striker's penalty was saved by Peter Brezovan who also did brilliantly to keep out the follow-up. 

Swindon took the lead on 11 minutes as a corner found an unmarked Lee Peacock who took full advantage as he headed home to put the visitors a goal up.

Hartlepool had nothing to show for their dominance with Brezovan certainly having a debut to remember, but the hosts were given another glorious chance from the spot.

 However, this time it was Ritchie Humphreys who failed to convert from 12 yards as the STFC shot-stopper made another excellent save to ensure a Swindon win and a memorable debut for the goalkeeper. 

Swindon Town 3-1 Barnsley - 2002/03

Andy King's side hosted Barnsley at SN1 on the opening day of the 2002/03 campaign and it was definitely one to remember, especially for new signing Sam Parkin. 

However, it was Barnsley who took the lead at the County Ground with Chris Lumsden's penalty on the half-hour mark putting the Tykes in front. 

New acquisition Parkin signed from Chelsea the week before the clash for £50,000 and made his mark on his debut as he leveled things up with a fantastic curling strike which beat Andy Marriott in the visitors net.

Things got better for Town, and Parkin, as Marriott failed to deal with a Danny Invincible strike and Parkin was on hand to convert from close range to put the hosts ahead.

Parkin rounded off a brilliant debut by sealing his hat-trick as he slotted away a penalty after Mike Flynn fouled Gareth Edds to give Swindon a winning start to the season, as well as making it a remarkable debut for the former Chelsea striker.