Opening Day Victory Gets Di Canio's Robins Flying

They say a year is a long time and it is certainly evident in the world of football. Indeed the last twelve months for Swindon has seen them go from promotion candidates in 2010, narrowly losing out in the play-off final to Millwall, to relegation fodder propping up the rest of the League One table come May 2011.

Last season's opening day fixture at home to eventual champions Brighton and Hove Albion was one of the most heavily anticipated matches at the County Ground in years. The previous campaign's play-off exploits and indeed a flurry of good Summer signings rightly raised expectations amongst all Swindon fans as the Seagulls travelled to Town similarly optimistic.

However, there was an air of disappointment as Swindon failed to earn a point in front of a packed County Ground audience, promptly serving up a 2-1 defeat. The team, featuring three debutants, found themselves unable to ''click'' against a resilient and well-organised Brighton side and ultimately fell victim to the weight of Pre-Season expection.

Di Canio's first game as boss

This year, following an impressive 3-0 win at home to Crewe Alexandra, the mood surrounding the club could not be more different. Goals from Callum Kennedy, Oliver Risser and Aden Flint sealed what turned out to be a comfortable win for Town in what was manager Paolo Di Canio's first competitive game in management.

Had the visitors converted one of a host of first half chances, the afternoon could have told a rather different story for Di Canio's men, as in the end a fortuitous penalty and indeed a clinical second half performance sealed the points for Swindon.

Town controlled much of the early possession, but nearly found themselves behind after just 10 minutes when Phil Smith denied both David Artell and Shaun Miller in quick succession. The 'keeper moved smartly to firstly deny Artell's back post header, before reacting sharply to smother Miller's low, drilled follow up.

The hosts began to look increasingly uncomfortable both at the back and in possession and nearly went behind again just five minutes later. Nick Powell capitalised on Joe Devera's slip to surge forward and direct a shot goalwards, but Smith was once again on hand to keep the score goalless, this time bravely diving at the Crewe striker's feet to block his effort.

Town's only chances of a lacklustre first half came first from Matt Ritchie, Michael Timlin and Bill Bodin. First, Ritchie directed a Callum Kennedy cross wide of the target before Timlin sliced a goalbound 18-yard volley, forcing a brilliant save from veteran Crewe 'keeper Steve Phillips. Called into action again just seconds later, Phillips denied Bodin a first Swindon goal from the resultant corner, palming away the youngster's side-footed effort.

The young Welshman, however, was eager to impress following Di Canio's surprise decision to start with him and was heavily involved in events preceding Town's opener. Bodin latched onto a Raffaele De Vita throughball and making a goalward surge, before taking a tumble under pressure from Crewe captain Artell. What had looked like an honest tussle for the ball ended in referee Michael Naylor pointing to the spot and booking the Alex skipper, much to the understandable frustrations of the visiting support. Up stepped young left back Callum Kennedy to calmly send Phillips the wrong way, and with the half time whistle sounding just moments later, Swindon went into the break to the good.



Risser celebrates Town's second

 A bright start to the second half saw chances fall to the impressive Ritchie, who fired another header wide whilst debutant De Vita almost pounced upon a good cross from Michael Timlin.

And the early second period domination was soon rewarded as Oliver Risser doubled Town's lead. With a blocked Bodin shot ping-ponging into the Swindon skipper's direction, Risser - largely anonymous all afternoon - cushioned it on his chest before unleashing an unstoppable 20-yard effort into the back of Phillips' net.

Town looked comfortable from thereon in and sealed the win fifteen minutes from time when man of the match Aden Flint capped a superb performance by nodding home a Kennedy cross from six yards out. The defender - signed from Non-League Alfreton Town by Dann Wilson last season - looks every bit the finished article in the centre of defence, towering over everyone with his performance being quite literally heads and shoulders over any one elses.

Swindon saw out the rest of the game with considerable ease and were even unlucky not to increase their lead through efforts from substitutes Simon Ferry and Alan McCormack - an indication of the strength in depth this Town squad possesses. That the defeat of a Crewe side likely to be pushing for the play-offs came without winger Etienne Esajas, an exciting winger who loves to run at opposition defences, and striker Medhi Kerrouche, who has recieved good Pre-Season reviews, can only add to the optimism now firmly shared by supporters and players alike.

The poor beginnings of last year were followed by a four-game winless run as Swindon struggled to recover from a shaky start, soon seeing their season materialise into a desperate fight to avoid relegation. Failure to do this saw first Danny Wilson and then Paul Hart lose their jobs as Town dropped perilously into League Two.

A good start is crucial to any side harbouring promotion ambitions and fans will be hoping Saturday’s win will provide the grounding for a solid start to this campaign. The games come thick and fast at this time of year, and Tuesday's League Cup clash at Bristol City may give Di Canio the chance to play several of his fringe players. With the likes of Ibrahim Atiku, Esajas and Kerrouche are all waiting in the wings for their chance, competition for places within the Town squad is certainly healthy.

Looking even further ahead, next week's away fixture at Cheltenham Town offers the perfect chance for fans to once more demonstrate their collective faith in the team by packing out the away end of the local and easily accessible Whaddon Road ground. Winning, as they say, is a habit and a victory at City would certainly build confidence before Saturday’s league match and indeed ahead of a long League Two season.