A NERVOUS opening, but an accomplished performance from then.
Swindon Town registered a confidence-boosting 4-1 win at Bulpit Lane against Hungerford Town – their fourth test of pre-season.
Jerry Yates, Ellis Iandolo, Keshi Anderson and Ralph Graham got themselves on the scoresheet, while trialists Nikolay Krastev, Lloyd Isgrove and George Newell were handed starts.
Town lined up 4-1-3-2 in the first half – Reid and Fryers filled the full back roles while Baudry and Ballard slotted in the centre.
In front of them was Dion Conroy – Ralph Graham, Ellis Iandolo and Lloyd Isgrove held adaptive midfield roles while Jerry Yates and George Newell sat up front.
Hungerford quickly scored when Zidane Akers flicked on a corner from the left to hand the hosts an early lead.
French defender Mathieu Baudry noticeably linked up with trialist Lloyd Isgrove on the right wing afterwards, though.
This generated chances for Ralph Graham and Dion Conroy – the latter going closest when Crusaders stopper George Legg had to make a diving save to his left to deny Swindon an equaliser.
Ellis Iandolo also injected a bright spark into Swindon’s early movement. Playing in midfield, the 21-year-old delivered a series of eye-catching through balls and crosses – undoubtedly catching the eye of Richie Wellens.
Swindon then equalised with 26 minutes played. Tyler Reid’s energetic run down the right enabled him to tee up Jerry Yates – who scored his second pre-season goal.
Ralph Graham no doubt took confidence from the goal too. Under constant instruction from Wellens, it was Graham’s through ball that sent full-back Reid free from his marker.
Six minutes later, and Town were ahead. Again exploiting the right wing, trialist Lloyd Isgrove found Iandolo in the box – who comfortably converted to double Town’s goal tally.
Isgrove was one of three trialists starting the game – goalkeeper Nikolay Krastev and striker George Newell were the other two.
Newell – son of former Premier League winner Mike Newell – endured a quiet opening half, fumbling one ambitious chance from range.
Excluding Hungerford’s early goal, Krastev appeared composed in the Town net and certainly wasn’t afraid to quickly pitch the ball forward to counterattack.
Wellens opted to make one half-time change – Keshi Anderson replaced goalscorer Iandolo.
Anderson’s impact on the game was immediate.
A powerful left-footed drive was directed just wide of half-time substitute ‘keeper Adam Sivitar’s right post before an equally imposing right-footed shot whistled over Sivitar’s crossbar.
Hungerford were determined to keep Swindon honest – Matt Jones’ 25-yard half volley almost silenced onlookers as it was guided just wide of Krastev’s top left corner.
Wellens then made his second change – Toumani Diagouraga replaced Baudry and took up the holding role while Conroy dropped back into the centre of defence.
Anderson’s relentless movement paid off with just over 70 minutes on the clock. He burst into the penalty area alone before slotting the ball past the hosts’ ‘keeper – doubling Swindon’s lead.
Academy graduate Ralph Graham then latched onto a rebound from his own shot to bundle home Swindon’s fourth – a deserved goal.
Four changes were then made by Wellens in quick time. Trialist Lloyd Isgrove made way for Jermaine McGlashan while youngsters Ollie Case, Anthony Lynn and Thomas Suter were also utilised.
It brought Newell’s first game as a trialist to an abrupt halt, the 22-year-old presumably frustrated with what appeared a below-par performance.
Archie Matthews later came on in place of trialist ‘keeper Krastev for some valuable late minutes.
And his time in goal didn’t go without incident. The teenager had to bravely punch an outswinging cross before reaching low to his left to cover a downwards header.
The young quartet’s arrival on the pitch understandably levelled the game out. Boss Wellens will no doubt take confidence from elements of his side’s game.
Swindon Town: Nikolay Krastev (Archie Matthews, 80’), Tyler Reid (Ollie Case, 74’), Mathieu Baudry (Toumani Diagouraga, 54’), Dan Ballard, Zeki Fryers (Anthony Lynn, 74’), Dion Conroy (Luke Haines, 74'), Ralph Graham, Ellis Iandolo (Keshi Anderson, 45’), Lloyd Isgrove (Jermaine McGlashan, 65’), Jerry Yates, George Newell (Thomas Suter, 74’).
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