[ 24 Oct 23 ] Swindon Town v GILLS Match Thread

[Garawa]

- Swindon edge the wins 36 to the Gills' 34 and 32 meetings were drawn. Both meetings were drawn last season after the Gills won both fixtures the previous season in which the sides met.
- The Gills have only lost 1 of their last 6 visits to Swindon and are unbeaten in their previous 2 trips. 4 of those 6 away games at Swindon saw the Gills score 3 goals.
- Only Crewe have scored more goals than Swindon's 31 and only Stockport have a better goal difference in League 2. The Gills have scored 13 goals, the fewest in the division.
- Swindon have conceded just 4 leads in League 2, the fewest amount of deficits in the division. They are the only side yet to find themselves behind at home and their total time ahead at home - 439 minutes and an average of 73.2 per game - is the most in League 2.
- Swindon started the season unbeaten in their first 11 league and cup games, winning 5 and drawing 6. These were followed by 3 successive losses all away from home before winning and drawing their most recent matches at home to Newport and away at Salford respectively.
- Swindon's first home league match saw a draw with Crewe before 6-0 and 5-3 were the start of a run 5 wins out of 5 from the home league matches played after it. In all competitions, they have won 6 and drawn 2 home games since last losing in April.

(19:50) EFL Sky Bet League 2: Swindon Town vs Gillingham FC - Kick Off [ 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 ]

(20.01) Without really testing Turner, Swindon have bossed this game so far and the Gills look at full stretch.

(20.03) Swindon allow Mahoney some space and he forces the 'keeper to palm away a driven shot from under his crossbar. The corner comes in and again the 'keeper has to dig it out from under his bar. The Gills win 2 more corners with the last going across the box and evades everyone when any touch would see the goalie in great difficulty.

(20.11) GOAL! Swindon Town 0-1 Gillingham: Mahoney

(20.15) Somehow, Turner on the deck makes a double save from only about 2 yards out of his goal with Swindon players stabbing at the ball towards the empty net.

(20.21) A Swindon corner finds the unmarked head of Charlie Austin who heads across the goal and narrowly wide of the right post.

(20.23) Macauley Bonne is gifted a one on one chance which he does well to get goal-side on. He chips the 'keeper who gets fingers to it to take it away from goal where it is cleared.

(20.35) The referee adds on 2 additional minutes.

(20.36) Gills steal possession and Jefferies charges forward. His cross doesn't beat the first man but it deflects of his head and narrowly misses the post for a corner.

(20.37) Half time 0-1 [47:07]

(20.53) The second half kicks off.

(20.55) A Swindon player goes down in the box. The ref at first looked to consider it before waving it away.

(20.57) The Gills have a corner which is cleared as far as Alexander and his 20 yard drive forces a great save. The second corner is headed into danger and Jayden Clarke can't turn his body enough to prevent a tame shot going wide of the post with two team-mates unable to respond quickly enough to help it on its way.

(21.02) Jefferies shot brushes the side netting after the 'keeper got the tips of his fingers to it.

(21.05) A lovely little tap forward tees up a Swindon shot from outside of the box which Turner superbly pushes away from the bottom left corner.

(21.21) Penalty! George Lapslie is fouled inside the box after a quick one-two. Alexander scuffs it slowly, well wide of goal.

(21.24) Swindon come forward and find a man just right of the penalty spot. A fantastic block from very close range by Jayden Clarke stops any chance of a shot. He is subbed seconds later.

(21.31) Jefferies does well to burst into the box and create space for a shot. It falls to Shaun Williams on the edge of the box who blasts over when it should have been a goal if on target.

(21.34) Turner pulls off a great point-bank save to deny Swindon an equaliser. The Gills don't clear and he clutches a curling following from the top right corner.

(21.36) Masterson bursts forward and curls a cross-field ball to the feet of Nichols with only 1 defender back. He delays trying to make space and its cleared. Masterson holds his hamstring from that run and goes down but all subs have been made.

(21.39) The referee adds on 5 additional minutes.

(21.39) Turner palms a shot away diving to his right and the Gills win a throw from it. Swindon win it back and a cross finds a head only a yard or two away from goal and its headed over!

(21.44) FULL TIME 0-1 [97:21]

Attendance: 8,853 (610)
Position: 7th
Referee: Peter Wright
Match highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6vtSdzNyU
BBC Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67130203