A Point to Prove

By: Andrew Doherty
Date: 22/11/2025 (Last updated: 23/11/2025)

OUR recent record in games with today's opponents Swindon has been dismal: 8 losses in the last 9 games and no wins at the County Ground since 2018. This sort of statistic is often quoted, but really the only people who feel the perceived jinx are the supporters and commentators fuelling the idea.

Many of the players weren't even here last year. More relevant to today is the fact that Swindon are flying high. Leaving aside our loss at home to Chesterfield last week, when we shot ourselves in the foot, a ray of hope lies in our performances against the higher-ranked teams. Whichever way you look at it, though, Town were going to have to dig deep if we were to get a result today.

Town's starting team today was: O'Donnell - Rodgers, Warren, McJannet, Staunton - McEachren - Burns, Green, Turi, Vernam - Rose. We looked to Town, today in the cream kit, to brighten us up on this typically truculent grey and damp November day in Swindon. 8,087 spectators were here today.

The game started as if the grey was sucking away the skill factor as both sides struggled to control the ball. On 7 minutes, Swindon won a throw on the right deep in Town's half. Bodin found the unchallenged Ball. Palmer received Ball's knock on and glided it with his head towards the goal. The ball shaved the inside of the post and ran into the net. Swindon 1, Town 0. Town's defence fell to sleep and O'Donnell was slow to react as if he wasn't expecting the header to go in. McEachren won a corner on 10 minutes, but Swindon were back on the attack soon after Bodin and Glatzel linked to win a corner. Town's clearance was weak. Oldaker found Bodin who slammed the ball home from outside the box. Town's play was ragged, amounting to long balls and poor passes. But on 23 minutes Town moved the ball up the left. Vernam beat his man and crossed into the path of Green who slotted the ball home under pressure from close range. Swindon 2, Town 1. Swindon responded on the offensive. The rain lashed down. On 33 minutes Rodgers crossed to Rose who laid the ball back to Burns. The shot was high but this was promising. At this stage, Town battled but Swindon were creating the better opportunities. On 39 minutes Glatzer broke through but was denied by an excellent block from Warren. Glatzer was then the villain for dragging down McEachren's. Staunton's free kick led to nothing. With 41 minutes gone, Town put the defence under pressure, pegging them back. Rodgers crossed for Vernam, whose shot was blocked. In the ensuing scramble Kilkenny pulled down McEachren - penalty to Town. Rose fired his shit to the right, sending Ripley the wrong way. Swindon 2, Town 2. The rest of the half was all Town. Burns found space and had a shot blocked before firing in a follow-up, which Ripley only managed to keep out by pushing the ball on to the post. Rodgers crossed for Green who found space but couldn't get power behind his shot. A Staunton shot was deflected for a corner. Vernam's trickery led to another. Town had fought back well and finished the half well on top

Swindon moved the ball quickly at the start of the second half. Town's defence looked composed, McJannet in particular doing well on a number of occasions. Town started to show signs of getting into it with good work from Vernam and McEachren's. On 58 minutes, a through ball from Burns won a corner. Town now looked the more dangerous and confident of the two teams. On 62 minutes McEachren did well again, chasing down his man before Turi was tripped. Burns won a corner as Town advanced. Ripley struggled to clear the corner. Wright got the ball away. Burns and Staunton both had good shots. McEachren and Turi were pulling the strings in midfield with able support from all Town's players. On 67 minutes, Turi was booked for a challenge in midfield. Following this Swindon had their first serious attack of the half, putting together a quick passing move. Palmer went clear but blasted his shot over the bar. Town came back. A slick cross-ball from Turi led to another cross from Rodgers. Green couldn't win the header but retrieved the ball moments later. As the ball came back to Turi, Swindon gained control and went onto the attack. The move broke down. Burns and Vernam then linked up in this increasingly impressive and intense performance. Khouri replaced Turi on 76 minutes, undoubtedly to help handle the physicality which was creeping into this intriguing battle. Swindon made a number of substitutions and with 10 minutes remaining launched into an intense spell of attacking themselves as they sought to win the game. Following a defensive block, O'Donnell did well to save with his foot at close range from Ehibhatiomhan, whose zippy pace belied his name. O'Donnell followed up immediately with a low reflex save before making another heroic save from Tabor and injuring himself in the process. The game stopped for attention to Town's emergency keeper. Kabia replaced Rose and Walker came on for Green as Swindon were looking to take over following their earlier sporadic attacks. McEachren received a yellow card for a foul on Tabor. Six minutes were added following O'Donnell's injury. Town had the first chance in the extra period when Walker saw a loose ball and volleyed it. Ripley was able to get his hands on it. Swindon then went forward, but Glatzer's attempt went well over. Good work from Khouri in the centre led to a pass to Vernam on the left. Vernam worked through the defence and found Walker whose volley over the bar was a missed opportunity. Another nice move from Town led to McGregor heading out following a dangerous cross from Burns. Walker again had the chance, but his flicked header ran just wide of the post. The final whistle went: Swindon Town 2, Grimsby Town 2. It had been a very entertaining game.

If we had a point to prove today, we proved it. After a slow start, Town put in an impressive display, fighting back from a two-goal deficit and imposing themselves on the game. Swindon's pressure towards the end was withstood, and Town came close to winning the game themselves. It was an exciting game in difficult playing conditions. We can be pleased with the point gained at top of the table Swindon and with Town's all-round performance.

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