2 weeks Ago
Grant Hall’s early red card set Town at a disadvantage which was quickly capitalised upon by Tim Dieng but deep into stoppage time, Smith headed home a big equaliser. So, how did the players fare as individuals at The Nigel Eady County Ground? GK: Jack Bycroft – 6 Coming back into the team, Bycroft started out a little bit rusty but he soon settled back in. His low save from Dieng’s header in the first half was a huge turning point in the match as it kept Swindon in the game.
RCB: Tunmise Sobowale – 7 He was caught out for the goal, but Sobowale was a big factor in making up for that. In the second half, he was a menace when moved to right wing-back, kept finding space despite the man disadvantage, and then set Smith up wonderfully. CB: Grant Hall – 1 Getting sent off is not an automatic one, it is graded on how stupid the red card was.
Much like Smith at Barrow, Hall got himself sent off for almost no reason whatsoever, essentially giving up any chance of winning the game, and gives me no choice. Sobowale gets on the ball (Image: Andy Crook) LCB: Will Wright – 6 Wright’s sliding tackle on Jacob Wakeling at the start of the second half might be the best I have ever seen live. Wright was also partially culpable for the goal but improved after the break as Gillingham inexplicably allowed Swindon onto them.
RWB: Joel McGregor – 4 Despite his early substitution, he just about qualifies for a rating. However, I also remember very little about what he did. Blending in earns you a below-average rating, I’m afraid.
CM: Ollie Clarke – 4 Speaking of blending in. Aside from one nice early pass out to George Cox prior to the sending-off, Clarke didn’t contribute a huge amount in possession. He put in his normal shift but was not the most impactful with the ball.
CDM: Gavin Kilkenny – 5 Much like everyone, he improved after the break as Gillingham conspired to do as little as possible against ten men. He was moving the ball well but there was a small lack of penetration. Kilkenny looks for a pass (Image: Andy Crook) CM: Danny Butterworth – 3 Before the red card, Butterworth actually looked very exciting as he linked up with Cox but after it this stopped being a match for him.
He was never really in the right position to contribute in attack. LWB: George Cox – 4 As mentioned, he was exposing Remeao Hutton’s defensive frailties early on and put in a few dangerous crosses. However, with ten players and Hutton stretching the pitch as much as he could, the favour was definitely returned.
ST: Aaron Drinan – 6 Fair play to Drinan, he put in a big shift when asked to play as a right wing-back for a decent chunk. He also kept making good runs that nobody seemed to be looking up at the right time for. ST: Harry Smith – 7 Bagsman.
Three goals in three and this one was exactly what you signed him for. Having been the subject of much ire from fans earlier in the season, he is hitting great form both in front of goal and in winning all the headers punted his way. Drinan chases after the ball (Image: Andy Crook) Substitutes: Miguel Freckleton – 4 A bit like the Salford City game in midweek, this was a game where Freckleton went a little bit under the radar.
He didn’t make many mistakes, and even if he wasn’t playing massively well it will help to rebuild some confidence. Harrison Minturn – 5 His introduction coincided with the section in the game when Gillingham did very little. I don’t know if that can be attributed to him or strange Gillingham tactics necessarily but as a defender, it is certainly not a bad sign.
Rosaire Longelo – 5 With ten players it does feel harsh to expect a team to dominate but Swindon did have a lot of the ball without cutting through very much. Longelo kept the ball well and put in one nice cross but again it was decent without being great. Kabongo Tshimanga – 3 I am quickly losing patience with Tshimanga.
Again, there were not going to be many chances but he simply offered nothing after his introduction either in hold-up or impacting the box. Joel Cotterill – 6 His quick feet and thinking to help create the goal give Cotterill a small boost over the middle for his contribution off the bench. He has been having an impact in big moments a lot lately.
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