Scunthorpe United v Swindon Town

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Football League One

Scunthorpe United :
Murphy, Byrne, Iriekpen, Pearce, Williams, Sparrow, Togwell, McCann, Woolford (Morris 89), Hayes, Forte (May 89)
Subs not used:
Lillis, Mirfin, Hurst

Swindon Town :
Phil Smith, Jack Smith, Aljofree, Morrison, Timlin, McGovern, Pook (Easton 57), Peacock, McNamee (Corr 89), Paynter, Cox
Subs not used:
Scott, Amankwaah, Marshall

OPPOSITION VIEW

FROM THE SWINDON ADVERTISER

IT'S fair to say the goalkeeping spot hasn't been the happiest of positions at Swindon Town so far this season.

While both Peter Brezovan and Phil Smith have been given the opportunity to make the berth their own, lapses in concentration and loss of confidence and, therefore, form have seen both men fail to seize their chance.

The pair have already experienced being dropped and recalled, despite the campaign only being quarter gone, but all that may have changed on Saturday for back-in-favour Smith.

Only playing because of an injury to Brezovan, the 28-year-old was in blistering form, pulling off a series of full-length, one-handed stops in the first half to deny Scunthorpe time and time again.

The fact that Town conceded three goals and only got a share of the points doesn't tell the full story about just how well Smith played, but the stopper was understandably pleased with his own contribution.

"I don't think I've done myself any harm," he admitted.

"It was important for me because I wanted to prove that I can perform.

"That's all I wanted to do, and I've done it again

"But a draw away up here is a great result no matter how many have gone in or how many we've scored. So we're all happy with it.

"A point is a tremendous result, coming to a top-of-the-table side, so it was a good day all round really."

Town were rewarded for a lively start when top scorer Simon Cox lashed home from seven yards to break the deadlock with 15 minutes gone.

However, that invigorated Scunthorpe and the hosts came roaring back at Swindon, duly equalising through Grant McCann's exquisite free-kick.

But for the remainder of the half it was all about Smith as the stopper frustrated Scunthorpe when it appeared only a matter of time before they took advantage.

The Iron did eventually edge ahead five minutes after the restart as a fortunate deflection dropped the ball into the path of winger Martyn Woolford, and he fired into the top corner.

But no sooner had the jubilant Scunny fans returned to their seats were Town back level - Cox's moment of individual brilliance to lob home keeper Joe Murphy getting Swindon instantly back on level terms.

The scoring wasn't done there though and in the 58th minute Krystian Pearce headed Scunthorpe back in front from McCann's free-kick.

But when Billy Paynter tumbled inside the area under the challenge of Sam Togwell, referee David Foster pointed to the spot, from where Cox sealed his hat-trick with a drive straight down the middle.

Having helped seal Swindon's seventh point out of a possible nine, Smith admitted there is plenty to celebrate at the County Ground, and was looking forward to a lively coach trip back to Wiltshire.

"It's a great result away from home," he said. "It's a long way home and there will be a few people celebrating."