BIG MATCH PREVIEW: Swindon Town V Barrow

Get ready for Saturday's big game

29 April 2022

Swindon Town take on Barrow in what is another huge game in the EFL Sky Bet League Two at The County Ground on Saturday.

For In what is the final home game of the 2021-22 EFL Sky Bet League Two season, Ben Garner's team will be pushing for another huge three points as they look to keep their Playoff hopes alive.

Barrow have secured their place in the division for next season and have been on a good run of form under former Town Boss Phil Brown, so they won't be pushovers on Saturday.

Let's get you set for the game...

LAST TIME WE MET...

It was an afternoon to forget for Town who suffered a frustrating 2-0 defeat away to Barrow on a cold and wet December day in 2021.

TICKET NEWS

The Stratton Bank is open for home fans - no ticket transfers or exchanges allowed - and Town fans can purchase tickets for tomorrow's game online now by CLICKING HERE.

TEAM NEWS

Jojo Wollacott was fit enough to be on the bench during the win over Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday, and the Keeper is progressing well.

However, Ellis Iandolo will miss tomorrow's game after being sent-off during the victory against Rovers on Tuesday night.

For Barrow, forward Aaron Amadi-Holloway is a big doubt for tomorrow, although Josh Kay is available again after serving a suspension.

A WORD FROM THE TOWN CAMP

Ben Garner, Swindon Town Head Coach: "They are a much-changed side since then in terms of, obviously, Phil Brown has come in, there’s been a change in the way they play.

"It’s going to be a test in terms of how direct they are from restarts and throw-ins and looking to get the ball forward early and play with energy high up the pitch.

"They’ve been on a decent run, so it's going to be a tough game and we have to step up probably another level again and show the same desire and quality that we did in the last two games and give everything to get those three points that we obviously hugely need."

ELSEWHERE IN THE SKY BET LEAGUE TWO

Carlisle United v Stevenage (3pm)

Colchester United v Walsall (3pm)

Crawley Town v Leyton Orient (3pm)

Forest Green Rovers v Harrogate Town (3pm)

Northampton Town v Exeter City (3pm)

Rochdale v Bristol Rovers (3pm)

Scunthorpe United v Hartlepool United (3pm)

Sutton United v Bradford City (3pm)

Tranmere Rovers v Oldham Athletic (3pm)

OFFICIALS

Referee - Robert Lewis

Assistant Referees - Leigh Crowhurst & Nicholas Cooper

Fourth Official - Danny Gratton

FOLLOW THE ACTION LIVE

Can't make it to SN1 on Saturday? Don’t panic because there are numerous ways to keep up to date with all the action.

Live updates will be available on our Twitter and Facebook pages, in addition to our Match Centre on the website, which can be found at the top of the home page on matchdays.

In the wake of the game, https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/ will be the place to go with a full report, reaction and pictures available to view and read through shortly after the final whistle.

Match Reports

MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 2-1 Barrow

Reds pick up another big three points

30 April 2022

Swindon Town kept their Playoff hopes very much alive after beating Barrow 2-1 in the EFL Sky Bet League Two at The County Ground on Saturday.

Josh Davison gave the Reds an early and deserved lead before the visitors equalised late on through Matthew Platt, but Louis Reed kept his cool to smash home a dramatic winner to send SN1 into raptures.

It was a huge, huge win for Town who will now head into the final weekend of the League Two season knowing a win would seal their place in the Playoffs at least.

Head Coach Ben Garner was forced into making one change with Akin Odimayo coming back into the Starting XI to replace the suspended Ellis Iandolo.

Barrow had the first chance of the game as Matt Platt's header looped over the bar, before Louie Barry saw a dangerous cross deflected out for a corner.

Barry was causing all sorts of problems for the visitors and he had another opportunity but couldn't get his shot on target, while Josh Davison should have scored after latching onto a great cross from Harry McKirdy but he could only fire straight at Paul Farman in the Barrow goal.

However, Davison would soon atone for that miss as he opened the scoring moments later, finishing from close-range after Jonny Williams drilled a superb ball into the box.

Town were in cruise control but Barrow did have the odd chance as John Rooney flicked a low cross into the side netting, before Harry McKirdy fired over following great work by Mandela Egbo on the right flank.

Swindon were pressing as both McKirdy and Barry looked to double their team's advantage, but they were forced to settle for a slender lead heading in at the break.

HALF-TIME: SWINDON TOWN 1-0 BARROW AFC

Town came out swinging in the second-half as McKirdy sent a shot inches wide of the post, before they survived a scare at the other end as Josh Kay hammered an effort just wide following a goalmouth scramble.

Lewis Ward then dealt with a tame effort by Rooney and Barry forced a superb save by Farman at the other end, while McKirdy came close to scoring again after beating his man and rounding Farman, but his effort was hacked off the line.

Ward had to spring into action to produce a fine save to claw Rooney's deflected effort over the bar, although Barrow did score a late equaliser after Rooney's free-kick was headed home by Platt.

However, Town refused to give up and with a loud SN1 cheering them on, they got their just rewards with Payne laying on a superb ball to Louis Reed who displayed a sublime first touch before producing a clinical finish to blow the roof off The County Ground.

Despite having to navigate eight minutes of added time, Town were able to hold on with Ward pulling off a great save late on to deny Kay, and the Reds will now go into the final weekend of the season knowing a win will extend their season.

FINAL-SCORE: SWINDON TOWN 2-1 BARROW AFC

TEAMS & STATS

SWINDON TOWN - Ward; Odimayo (Jake O'Brien 89), Conroy (C), Baudry, Davison, Payne (Ben Gladwin 87), McKirdy, Egbo, Barry, Williams (Ricky Aguiar 90), Reed.

SUBS NOT USED - Wollacott, Mitchell-Lawson, Parsons, Minturn.

SCORERS - Josh Davison (22), Louis Reed (86).

BARROW - Farman; Brown (Joe Grayson 50), Brough, Platt, Kay, Gordon, Gotts (George Williams 79, Beadling (Ollie Banks 50), Hutton, Canavan, Rooney (C).

SUBS NOT USED - Lillis, White, Stevens.

SCORERS - Matt Platt (83).

BOOKED - Patrick Brough

Referee - Robert Lewis.

Attendance - 13,355 (223 Away Fans).