Substitute Alan Connell's late goal earned Swindon Town their 28th win of the campaign. Mathematically for Swindon to get automatic promotion, a point is only required from the next 4 games but with the Robins superior goal difference acting like an extra point, promotion is almost guaranteed barely a catastrophic demise.
Di Canio...
A very sad development emerged after the game. Paolo's had mother sadly passed away on friday, just months after his father had also passed away. My thoughts are with his family at this very tough time. For Paolo, even attending the match would have been very tough and he has demonstrated utter professionalism.
Struggling…
A bumper crowd of 10,422 saw Swindon make a bright start to the game. As early as the 6th minute, Paul Benson had hit the crossbar from a deep Paul Caddis cross. Further pressure continued during the first half but as recent from suggests, Swindon have struggled to be clinical in front of goal.
Reaction…
Alan Connell: 'We are delighted with the win and it's another clean sheet. This is a great club to be at and I love it here.'
Wes Foderingham: ‘En route league one!’
Plymouth Argyle Manager Carl Fletcher: ‘We were disappointed after the goal came in late. We felt we didn't deserve to lose.’
Onwards And Upwards…
I am very much looking forward to my small 220 mile road trip (just to get there) on Tuesday afternoon. Setting off at a nice and early at 1pm with @mark_wix and @MrGASB69, we look forward to celebrating promotion and possibly the championship. Becoming league champions with only occur if we win and Shrewsbury fail to win.
Random Facts…
Only Charlton have accumulated more point’s so far this season (94) than Swindon Town.
Most career league appearances at one club: 770, John Trollope (Swindon Town, 1960 to 1980)
Only Arsenal and Both Manchester clubs (78, 85, and 66) have scored more accumulated goals (Premier League) than Lionel Messi in all competitions (As I write this 63 goals). Unbelievable.
Trip down memory lane…
Wednesday, 24th September 2003
Leeds United 2 Swindon Town 2 (Leeds United Win 4-3 On Penalties)
Goal: Gurney (44’), Parkin (74’)
Attendance: 29,211 (2,541 Away Fans)
Starting-Line up: Griemink, Reeves, Gurney, Heywood, Duke, Smith, Igoe, Hewlett, Miglioranzi, Stevenson, Parkin.
Reason why I Remember The Game: This is the game when I caught the ‘bug’. I had followed Swindon for many years (10) but had not been to many games (Probably around 5). I wanted to desperately go to this game, I spent 15 minutes on hold just to get the tickets and was so excited to get confirmation. I know where and when I was when I was on the phone (At college). Travelling to the game was no issue, I took my dad and it was only a 60 mile journey. I remember been in amazement at the size of the stadium and the atmosphere. I still remember the feeling when Gurney scored that free kick, the excitement and joy was immense, hugging everyone around me like we were all best friends (But we was, we were all Swindon fans). When Super Sammy Parkin scored our 2nd goal, all the town fans went berserk. We were a League 1 side, beating a Premier League side, what a great moment to be a part of this. Then within the last 13 minutes of the game, the whole mood and momentum change. Ian Harte pulled a goal back, a short back pass and the following foul results in a 2nd yellow card for Griemink therefore down to 10 men.
2-1 up still, injury time, 10 men, last minute, Leeds Corner, Robinson wanders up field, unmarked, free header, noooooo, 2-2.
I do not remember much about extra-time but I know what the mood felt like in the Swindon end, very flat, despondent and a sense of being brought down to earth with a bump. The penalty shootout gave us hope after surviving 30 minutes against a top-flight side with 10 men, but they prevailed in the shootout. I was immensely proud of the players and felt privileged to be among the 2,541 fans that night.
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