Swindon came into this game unbeaten in the league, as they faced a Crawley side who were bottom of the league and winless in the divison. However, it was the 87 Crawley fans were sent home happy as they saw their side win 3-0 against Swindon.
Swindon had chances early on with Olly Lancashire missing from close range from a Chris Hussey free-kick. Luke Norris had two chances of his own, but both of his strikes were superbly saved by Crawley keeper Glenn Morris.
However, Crawley went ahead against the run of play. Lewis Young’s ball was turned in by Swindon skipper Olly Lancashire to give Harry Kewell’s side an undeserved lead at half-time.
Swindon weren’t creating alot in the second-half, and ten minutes into the half David Flitcroft made two changes. New signing Matthew Taylor came on for Amine Linganzi while Kaiyne Woolery made way for James Brophy. However, Town
Town were not making many clear cut chances until Harry Smith had his low drive saved by Morris. But Crawley made it 2-0 with ten minutes remaining thanks to Jordan Roberts. The Red Devils secured the three points courtesy of a Jimmy Smith strike.
Swindon named an unchanged side from the one which beat Morecambe away 1-0. The back four consisted of Ben Purkiss, Dion Conroy, Olly Lancashire and Chris Hussey. While the four in midfield were Paul Mullin, Amine Linganzi, James Dunne and Donal McDermott. Former Wigan striker Kaiyne Woolery partnered Luke Norris up front.
Crawley lined up with a 4-2-3-1 which was different to the 4-3-3 they played last week in their loss to Cambridge. Harry Kewell made three changes to his side with Jimmy Smith coming in for Mark Randall, Yorwerth came in for Connolly, and Dean Cox came into the side as well.
Swindon dominated the opening twenty minutes with Chris Hussey’s set pieces constantly troubling Kewell’s side. Olly Lancashire missed a glorious opportunity when he headed Hussey’s free-kick over from six yards out.
Just three minutes later Swindon had another opportunity to break the deadlock. Paul Mullin found himself some space on the edge of the six-yard box, but his shot was blocked, by former Town loanee Josh Lelan. Swindon had another chance when Chris Hussey’s corner found Dion Conroy however, his header cannoned off the post.
David Flitcroft’s side were in control, and they really should’ve gone in front, but Luke Norris had his shot superbly saved by Morris to keep Town at bay. From the resulting corner, Norris had another chance, but once again his shot was expertly saved by the Crawley keeper.
Despite the Swindon pressure, it was Crawley who took the lead. Lewis Young’s whipped delivery was headed in by Swindon captain Olly Lancashire. However, it did look like Lancashire was pushed into the ball by Camara but nevertheless, Crawley were leading.
Swindon almost replied instantly when Woolery’s shot went inches over the bar. However, it was 1-0 to Crawley at the half-time interval.
Six minutes into the second-half The Red Devils had a chance to go 2-0 up. Camara found himself with time and space, but his strike was kept out by Lawrence Vigouroux. Flitcroft handed a debut to new signing Matthew Taylor as he came on for Linganzi while Woolery came off for James Brophy.
Swindon were struggling to create any clear cut chances, and Crawley were so close to making it 2-0. But Vigouroux kept Town in it by making a great stop from Camara.
Flitcroft made his third and final sub of the day when he subbed on Harry Smith for James Dunne. The Millwall loanee almost made an instant impact, however, his low drive was kept out by Morris.
But down the other end, Crawley made Swindon pay for missing their chances when Robert’s deflected shot found the back of the net to send the Crawley fans into delirium. It got even better for Kewell and his team as they made it 3-0 with six minutes left. Bulman teed up Jimmy Smith who slotted home to secure Harry Kewell’s first three points as Crawley manager.
Swindon currently sit 9th in League Two, and they host Barnet next Saturday at the County Ground. While Crawley’s win moves them up to 20th in League Two.
