Wasteful Swindon Suffer First Di Canio Defeat

Whilst Swindon made the perfect start to life in League Two seven days ago with a 3-0 home victory against Crewe Alexandra, the same couldn't be said again this week as manager Paolo Di Canio tasted defeat for the first time as he resided over the team's first away fixture of 2011/12.

The short trip to Cheltenham Town has seen Town come unstuck on numerous occasions in recent years - the most recent ending in a bitter 2-0 loss at Whaddon Road. And defeat was again the fate that Swindon sufferred as the similarly-nicknamed Robins ran out winners once more in what was a poor match for spectators.

Di Canio made two changes to the team that beat Crewe last week with Alan McCormack and Nathan Thompson replacing Jonathan Smith and Michael Timlin respectively. McCormack's inclusion at the expense of Smith was a like-for-like switch whilst Thompson, a right back by trade, was drafted in to play right wing with Matt Ritchie deployed to his more natural left midfield berth.

The opening exchanges saw Swindon start how they left off last week, taking control of the game and mustering several early chances. Both Billy Bodin and Oliver Risser powered goalwards and whilst the youngster's drive was well held by Cheltenham 'keeper Scott Brown, captain Risser's effort sailed over the bar. Just moments later, Town should have opened the scoring when Bodin's cross found Rafaelle De Vita who side-footed wide from close range.



A dominant but wasteful opening fifteen minutes for Swindon was capped off when Alan McCormack, clearly eager to impress on his Town debut, drove a fine effort from the edge of the box against Brown's right hand post. The combative midfielder's disappointment at not scoring was soon evident as a tired and sloppy challenge on Cheltenham's Russ Penn saw the Irishman booked.

The visitors were nearly made to rue those early missed chances as Cheltenham finally settled into the game after half an hour of action. A mistake from Callum Kennedy at left back let in Marlon Pack with the midfielder crossing for former Town striker Kaid Mohammed whose shot drifted narrowly wide. With the momentum now with them, the home side recieved their first booking of the game with Pack's name taken by the referee after a lunge on McCormack.

Cheltenham's new found momentum then saw them go close on two more occasions. First a curling Danny Andrew free kick was desperately tipped by Smith beyon his own post before centre back Alan Bennett's powerful header forced a good save out of the Swindon 'keeper, who again impressed in the absence of number one Mattia Lanzano.

With half time fast approaching, however, Swindon fashioned three more chances but were once more denied an opening goal as a lack of a cutting edge up front became all the more evident. Both Ritchie and Risser fired efforts wide of the post before the lively De Vita forced a superb save from 'keeper Brown, driving a low shot goalwards that the Cheltenham stopper was once more equal to. And with the half time whistle sounding around the Abbey Business Stadium shortly after, the two sides went in at the break on level terms, thanks largely in part to both goalkeepers.

In contrast to last week, Swindon were slow out of the blocks after half time and fell behind after just three second half minutes. The impressive Pack saw his well-delivered corner find defender Steve Elliot who, after escaping his marker, rose highest to head home past Phil Smith in the Swindon goal.

After falling behind, Di Canio's tactical nouse as a manager was tested for the first time and he responded with his first major change of the afternoon, bringing on winger Etienne Esajas in place of the inexperienced and out-of-positive Thompson. With Esajas possessing a cultured left foot and Ritchie being a two-footed, creative outlet within the side, the wingers swapped flanks as Town targetted a quick reply to Cheltenham's opener.

A period of comfortable possession for the home side was eventually brought to a halt as Swindon edged back into the affair. Aden Flint, however, could not repeat his goalscoring form of last week as he headed a Joe Devera free-kick over the bar. With Town again on top, supporters may have right to feel hard done by as striker Bodin saw his penalty appeal turned down soon after. Despite Bodin being visibly felled in the box, the referee waved play on with the visitors left to continue their search for an equaliser.

As the match drifted towards its end, a series of events worthy of a local derby made sure of a tense final ten minutes. An altercation between winger Esajas and the home team's Penn saw both players booked as the insuing melee of players joined the debate. And with the referee seemingly issuing cards readily, it came as no surprise when, after an off-the ball tangle that resulted in Town defender Flint being elbowed in the face, Cheltenham's Jimmy Spencer saw red as the hosts' desperately tried to see the game out.

Whilst Swindon pressed hard in the closing stages but even after five minutes of added time, they were unable to break through the resilient home defence. A first defeat for Di Canio as a manager left everyone connected with Swindon Town considerably deflated following last week's highs, with Cheltenham securing the first victory of their season.

Expectations are rightly still high, but patience is key. During this transitional phase, the players and management need the fans' support, rather than the jeers that some fans aimed at captain Risser following the final whistle. After the game, manager Di Canio confirmed his intent to add to his squad before Tuesday's game with Dagenham and Redbridge, which will be another stern test for his new-look Swindon side.

The heart taken from Saturday’s win has taken a severe blow and it is now up to Di Canio and his players to restore confidence for the match at Victoria Road this Tuesday. The match is far from must-win at this stage of the season but if Swindon are to mount a sustained promotion challenge, you feel these are the sort of games where three points are vital.