Alan Navarro’s 2-goal brace against Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion helped Swindon ease to a 3-0 win on Tuesday night. Brighton started brightly and took control in the first half creating a couple of notable chances from Saltor Bruno and Ashley Barnes on the stroke of half time.

Second Half…

Swindon came out in the second half revitalised and rejuvenated. The Robins passed and moved well, playing fluid football seen in patches during last season. The opening goal came in the 53rd minute from a free kick straight from the training ground. It was well worked and has been something that has been tried and tested in pre-season.

Navarro…

Ex-seagulls midfielder Alan Navarro scored against his former club in the 65th minute, and once against from a deflected shot ten minutes later to send Swindon Town into the second round of the League cup were they will now face Stoke City at Britannia Stadium. In his 74 appearances for the Sussex side, Alan had only scored 1 goal but on his debut for the Wiltshire side he has scored two.

Proposal…

Tuesday’s game was very special for me. At half time (as pictured) I proposed to my girlfriend (now fiancé) at half time on the pitch. It was her first ever football match and she did not have a clue what I had been planning. Just before half time I whisked her away from our seats and headed towards the dugout. After the whistle had been blown for half-time and the field had been cleared, it was now my time for action. I dragged her on the pitch and got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. She said yes, we kissed, was interviewed and photographed by the local press. She was shocked, surprised but very happy. Since then we have had many messages and tweets regarding this and even made it onto page 3 of the Swindon Advertiser.

Onwards and Upwards…

Swindon Town make the 540 mile round trip on Saturday to play Hartlepool. The last time these teams met was 2nd April 2011 when the sides drew 1-1 at the County Ground. Both fixtures that season ended in draws (2-2 14th August 2010). This will be the third time Swindon have faced Hartlepool on the opening day of the season in the past 6 years.

Trip down memory lane…

Saturday, 25th February 2006

Nottingham Forest 7 Swindon Town 1

Goals: N.Southall (3', 51', 55'), W.Morgan (17', 57'), I.Breckin (29'), T.Benjamin (76'), J.Lester (90')

Attendance: 22,444 (1,188 Away Fans).

Starting-Line up: Evans, Nicholas, O’Hanlon, Ifil, Smith, Jarrett, Brown, Miglioranzi, Shakes, Peacock, Cureton.

Subs: Jenkins, Benjamin, Roberts, Gurney, Bulman.

Reason why I Remember The Game: We conceded 7 goals away from home and didn’t turn up on the day. There is no positive I can say about the game, only that I will more than likely never go back to the City Ground again. I do remember Forest fans ‘cheering’ when Trevor Benjamin came off the bench to make it 6-1, but even the die hardest of Swindon fans knew that we had no chance. This performance summed up our lack lustre of a season in which we were relegated to the fourth tier of the football league.

I wish to add my many thanks for all at Swindon Town Football Club for their permission and help in achieving everything I hoped for.

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