Preview: Swindon Town v Fleetwood Town

12 December 2020

Fleetwood Town face Swindon Town on Saturday 12 December at the County Ground in Sky Bet League One, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 3pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Swindon Town v Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 12 December 2020

Kick-off: 15:00

Venue: County Ground, County Road, Swindon, SN1 2ED

Match officials: Christopher Pollard (Referee), Christopher Kidd & Michael Begley (Assistant Referees), James Vallance (Fourth Official)

FLEETWOOD TOWN

Town head into their trip to Swindon on the back of a Papa John’s Trophy Round Two win over local rivals Blackpool.

Both Fleetwood and Blackpool had chances throughout the game but neither side was able to break the deadlock in normal time. It was penalties that decided the tie as Mark Duffy scored the winning spot-kick for Town.

In the game before that, it was the first in a Blackpool double-header, which Fleetwood unfortunately lost 1-0. The deciding goal in this one came from Gary Madine who managed to convert Sullay Kaikai’s short free-kick after the ball bounced around inside the Fleetwood box. Wes Burns seemed to have put the Cod Army level just before half-time, but the referee deemed the winger offside.

SWINDON TOWN

Swindon are going through a rough spell in the league at the moment, as they are yet to win in the month of December but with this Saturday’s tie being their first at home game of the month, they will be looking to get back to winning ways.

Last time out, John Sheridan’s side travelled to Kent to face Gillingham and, even though they dominated the possession and created more chances throughout the game, it was the Gills who came out on top, winning the game 2-0.

The Robins had a six-goal thriller before that game, as they were on the wrong end of a 4-2 score line against Crewe Alexandra. Anthony Grant opened the scoring on the day, with Tyler Smith doubling their lead before the break but the home side pulled off a brilliant comeback, scoring four goals in less than 30 minutes.

PRE-MATCH QUOTES – JOEY BARTON

Head coach Joey Barton spoke to the press ahead of his side's Sky Bet League One clash against Swindon Town on Saturday. He had this to say:

“It’s a chance for us to get back to winning ways. We’re three points outside the play-offs and we need to make sure we maintain contact with the promotion-chasing pack because, as we found out last year, you’ve got to be there or thereabouts come January-February,

“I’m not going to try and second guess them, we are going to do what we’re going to do and if we do that, we are a force for anyone in the division. We need to focus on us and, not disrespect to Swindon, if we get it right, we are a match for everybody.

“It’s a tough and relentless campaign is League One, there will be ups and downs with spells of great football and spells of results that you have to grind out, but we think that Swindon are a tough proposition at their stadium but again, if we get things right, we can cause anyone in this division problems.”

Watch Joey's interview on our iFollow HERE.

ONE TO WATCH – TYLER SMITH

The one to watch for Town’s tie against Swindon is forward Tyler Smith. The 22-year-old has started the season off strong, as he has scored seven goals in just 12 appearances for the Robins.

Smith - the Sheffield United loanee - is yet to play for his parent club but has gained experience at multiple clubs already in his relatively new career. His first move was back in July 2018, when he went to Barrow. After finding the net 10 times in 23 games, he was sent to League One side Doncaster Rovers.

The forward made most of his appearances for the side from Yorkshire from the bench and was subsequently sent to fellow League One side Bristol Rovers that summer. Play time was more available in Bristol and it showed as he was able to make 28 appearances in his short-term loan, scoring five goals in that time.

His next loan move, to Rochdale, was similar to his one at Doncaster but seems to have found form again after joining Swindon in August 2020. Since joining the Robins, Smith has been an ever-present in the side and is currently the top goal scorer for the side this season.

WATCH TOWN ON iFOLLOW!

Supporters can now purchase video match passes for Fleetwood Town’s Sky Bet League One clash against Swindon Town on Saturday.

With games still being played behind closed doors, the match pass is your best option to watch the Cod Army during the early stages of the 2020/21 season.

Joey Barton's side will travel to Wiltshire at the weekend as they are set to face Swindon at the County Ground for a Sky Bet League One encounter - and you can watch the game for just £10!

If you'd like to purchase your match pass, click HERE.

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Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Madden matches record as Fleetwood pick up maximum points

12 December 2020

Fleetwood Town overcame Swindon Town in a 1-0 victory at the County Ground in Sky Bet League One on Saturday afternoon.

Paddy Madden poked home Josh Morris’ corner to score his 41^st goal for the club becoming the joint-top EFL league goal scorer for the club, alongside David Ball.

Early in the game there was a penalty shout for Fleetwood when Morris was bundled over in the Swindon box. However, they saw their appeals waved away.

At the other end, Jayson Leutwiler was called into action pulling off a superb save from close range to deny Hallam Hope, but the assistant raised his flag moments later.

Swindon had another chance soon after when Hope’s cross found the head of Jack Payne whose wayward header soared over the cross bar.

Fleetwood had their first effort on goal a quarter of an hour into the game. Sam Finley looked to open the scoring with an ambitious effort from range, but his half volley went wide of Matej Kovar’s goal. A flurry of Fleetwood attacks followed.

The Cod Army came close to breaking the deadlock when Barrie McKay played Morris through on goal however his low strike across goal flew just wide of the post.

McKay was at the heart of the action once again when he found his way through the Swindon defence, creating space for himself to shoot - but his driven effort was off target.

Madden nearly got lucky when he closed down Kovar whose clearance struck the forward and rebounded into the side netting.

Just before the half hour mark, Fleetwood took the lead when Madden poked home Josh Morris’ in swinging corner at the near post, to score his 41^st league goal levelling the club’s EFL record.

The hosts caught the Cod Army on the counterattack carried by Diallang Jaiyesimi. His effort was prevented by Callum Connolly who got across quickly to block the strike from the edge of the area ensuring his team lead at the break.

Swindon started the second half on the front foot and Leutwiler was called upon almost immediately pushing the ball out for a corner to prevent Matty Smith’s deflected cross from squeezing in at the near post.

It was a quiet second period with both teams battling for the ball in the middle of the park with neither side dominating possession.

Jaiyesimi came close to levelling the score when his cross shot forced Leutwiler into a smart save. The Robin’s came close from the resulting corner when Jaiyesimi met Jonathan Smith’s corner with his head, but the Fleetwood keeper got down to his right to keep his clean sheet intact.

Town XI: Leutwiler (GK), Andrew, Connolly, Burns, J.Morris (Duffy 85), Camps (Rossiter 74), Mulgrew, Coutts (Whelan 74) (C), Madden, McKay (Evans 74), Finley.

Bench: Cairns (GK), Saunders, Hill.

Swindon XI: Kovar, Conroy (Fryers 68), Grounds, Baudry, Jaiyesimi, T.Smith (J.Smith 70), M.Smith, Odimayo, Payne, Grant, Hope.

Bench: Fryer (GK), Caddis, Pitman, Curran, Stevens