With the 2017/18 fixtures revealed on Wednesday morning, swindontownfc.co.uk have taken a look back at a memorable opening day encounter from our last time in League Two…
Following the appointment of former Premier League footballer Paolo Di Canio as Town’s new manager, hopes were high heading into the 2011/12 campaign.
It was a busy summer at The County Ground with Di Canio bringing in no less than eight new players as the Reds looked to secure an immediate return to League One.
Crewe Alexandra were the visitors to SN1 on the opening day of the season and Di Canio opted to hand debuts to four of his new recruits, with Joe Devera, Oliver Risser, Jonathan Smith and Raffaele De Vita all making their bows for the club.
However, it was an old face who opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, Academy graduate Callum Kennedy converting from the penalty spot following a cagey first-half.
Town then began to dominate proceedings after the break and new Club Captain Oliver Risser doubled his side’s advantage thanks to a superb effort.
And Aden Flint sealed a memorable opening day victory with a close-range finish to ensure Paolo’s reign got off to a winning start.
TOWN STARTING XI - Phil Smith; Callum Kennedy, Joe Devera, Aden Flint, Paul Caddis; Michael Timlin, Oliver Risser (C) (Simon Ferry 82), Jonathan Smith (Alan McCormack 67), Matt Ritchie; Raffaele De Vita, Billy Bodin (Alan Connell 75).
UNUSED SUBS – Leigh Bedwell, Nathan Thompson.
