Desolate derby delight for Swindon

When Oxford United and Swindon Town are mentioned in the same breath, one expression springs to the front of my mind, ‘there is no love lost’. The two sides, separated by just 31 miles, have a long-standing rivalry and both sets of supporters have a particular distain for one another.

Nicknamed the A420 derby due to the stretch of road that connects the two, the first competitive fixture occurred in 1962, and hostilities grew initially because of its scarcity. Clashes throughout the seventies were notoriously brutal and the divide reached a new intensity after a fixture in 1982.

Held at Swindon’s County Ground, home supporters launched a smoke bomb onto the pitch. Amidst the confusion, the referee allowed play to continue and Town bundled home a controversial winner in a 3-2 victory.

Of course, usually, the match would unfold behind a vociferous cacophony of noise, however, due to the ongoing pandemic, this fixture was held without the presence of supporters. On that note, the government announced last week that the first stage of fan re-introduction would occur next month.

Positive news, although, unfortunately, this typically heated affair came too soon. Lifeless stands and an awkward feeling injection of artificial noise throughout, made for a bizarre experience, something more akin to a training contest. I pray this period truly reinforces to those who oversee our beloved game, that fans are genuinely the life and soul of its existence.

I felt an air of guilt approaching the stadium, in the knowledge of my imminent admission. My thoughts drifted to the diehard backers of both sides, who continue to be kept astray and would have undoubtedly given anything to have been present for such a pivotal clash.

This sensation intensified inside the ground, as I gazed across the car park, visible due to the stadium’s west side lacking a stand. An impassioned cry of “yellows” reverberated around the arena’s innards, a group of ardent U’s supporters, perched atop a stationary van, peering in at the fixture that counts for so much.

The contest itself was a fascinating battle of wits, Swindon bursting out of the blocks in promising fashion. Wideman Joel Grant, blessed with blistering pace and an eagerness to lather his boots in chalk, such is his propensity to hug the touch line, causing problems. He delivered an array of wicked centres but, unfortunately, from a Town perspective, to no avail.

The hosts weathered the storm and soon took advantage of the momentum shift. Matty Taylor, born and raised in the vicinity, previously featured for Championship Bristol City, and his experience at a higher level was abundantly clear.

He led the line impeccably, displaying superb hold-up play, hassling and harrying for the duration. It was he who struck the first warning sign, latching onto an inventive pass from Liam Kelly, only to see his sumptuous volley turned round the post by Kovar between the Swindon sticks.

Not to be denied on the next occasion, Taylor’s persistence paid off in the 14^th minute, Kelly the provider once again. He soared clear of the visitors’ rear guard before nonchalantly flicking over a diving Kovar. Cue the local lad breaking into an emphatic knee slide, prior to being submerged by a mass of jubilant teammates.

For Swindon’s long term hopes this season, Paul Caddis promises to act as a prominent figure. The veteran’s vast experience and ability to lead by example are vital attributes for the Robins. His discipline, commanding proceedings in the engine room, allowed fellow midfielder, Matt Smith, to be unleashed in a more attacking role. The Arsenal loanee, prone to audacious efforts from distance, saw his attempt beaten away by Eastwood.

The imposing figure of Rob Atkinson, was in the thick of the action throughout the opening stanza, dominating aerially, and equally adept at gliding forward from his defensive position. Towards the end of the half, he breached the Town defence, seemingly putting on a plate for Taylor, but his effort was agonisingly scuffed wide from four yards out.

Heading into the break, the home side would have been happy with their lead, although, perhaps unsatisfied that the margin was not greater. Buoyed by some choice words from new boss John Sheridan, Town were always likely to retake the field with renewed vigour, and that’s exactly how it played out.

Jack Payne, only entering the action due to injury, began to make his mark on the contest. Displaying relentless energy, his sweet drive flashed across goal, only for the yellow shirts to converge and repel for a throw-in. Also fully capable of linking play beautifully, he soon turned provider, swinging in a teasing delivery from the right, but Odimayo was unable to capitalise.

At this stage, the visitors from Wiltshire were really upping the ante, dominating possession and forcing the U’s back deeper and deeper. Inspired substitutions from Sheridan truly turned the tie on its head, his new side clearly displaying commitment for him, boding well, as he aims to make a positive mark on his charges from the outset.

Diallang Jaiyesimi, although raw, made a significant impact off the bench. A constant menace down the left, Oxford struggled to handle his speed and directness, as he stretched an already fatigued back four. For all his efforts, it was another substitute who went one better.

Tom Broadbent only turned professional three years ago, previously serving in the army. In fairy-tale fashion, he pounced upon another of Smith’s speculative piledrivers, diverting an exquisite volley into the back of the net. His first Swindon goal in the club’s biggest fixture of them all, it could not have been scripted.

Town smelt blood and, continuing to ramp up the pressure, got their just desserts. Four minutes added time were signalled, however, it only took one for the unthinkable to unravel. That man again, Broadbent, flicking on Odimayo’s angled long range pass. Eastwood rushed off his line, lurking ominously out of position.

Step up Swindon’s top scorer, Tyler Smith, the young starlet on loan from Premier League Sheffield United. Shackled all day, he struggled to make an impact on proceedings. However, as is often the case, the pivotal chance fell his way in the dying embers. Credibly, he took full advantage, bundling home amongst a melee, triggering chaos from Town players and coaches alike.

Worrying signs for Karl Robinson, his Oxford United side, not only beaten by their rivals for the first time since 2001, but also defeat to a newly promoted side – resulting in their neighbours leapfrogging them in the table.

“You make changes to make your team better and I think ours made our team worse. – Karl Robinson”

On the other side of the fence, John Sheridan was understandably delighted, overseeing Swindon’s first triumph against Oxford in over a staggering 7,000 days.

“Because of who we played, it was a massive game for everyone who supports Swindon, so it’s massive for them and I’m sure the fans will enjoy the result. – John Sheridan”

As Sheridan eluded to, Swindon fans will revel in the bragging rights, and rightfully so. I only hope that for March’s return fixture, the stands will be packed to the rafters. A fixture of this stature, or any for this matter, should never be played out amidst emptiness. As the old adage goes, football without fans is nothing.