ROBINS ROCK MAGPIES TO PUT HOME WOE TO ONE SIDE
Norris goal has County collared
SWINDON recorded a muchneeded home win after Luke Norris’ goal early in the second half saw the Robins end the year with a 1-0 win over promotion-contenders Notts County.
Norris tucked home his 11th goal of the season as David Flitcroft’s side won at the County Ground for the first time in the league since October, as well as moving two points off the play-off positions heading into 2018.
Swindon chief Flitcroft thought that his players’ togetherness was the driving factor behind their success, which came off the back of a 5-0 loss at the hands of Luton last time out.
He said: “What impressed me was how the team was united and stood as one.
“We shackled what is a very good Notts County team and all the players stuck to the game plan.
“We needed to change something after the Luton performance and decided to change the formation, which I think helped us.
“We’ve drawn a line under the past performances at home and I’ve told the lads to try and win as many as possible for the remainder of the season.
“I’m delighted for the fans. They deserved that win as much as the players.”
Amine Linganzi had put the ball in the net with Swindon’s first attempt on goal in the 11th minute but his volley from Ellis Iandolo’s
free-kick was disallowed after the midfielder was adjudged to be offside.
The home side began to take control of the game from that point onwards and Linganzi came close again with a header, which was comfortably saved by County keeper Ross Fitzsimons.
Norris then fired a low free-kick under the wall that was again saved with ease by the Magpies stopper.
Kevin Nolan’s side grew into the game as the half went on and their best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to skipper Jon Stead, who met Liam Walker’s cross with a diving header at the front post but Reice Charles-Cook was on hand to get down and save.
Swindon took the lead two min-corner utes into the second half as Norris found himself in the right place at the right time to poke home Keshi Anderson’s low cross.
The impressive Kaiyne Woolery almost doubled the home side’s lead after he burst past two County defenders towards goal but the striker lashed his effort wide of the left post.
Fitzsimons did brilliantly to push clear Iandolo’s free kick to keep Nolan’s side in it as Swindon looked to kill the game off.
Anderson nearly set up Woolery for a tap-in but his pass went behind the Robins striker. The Magpies pushed for an equaliser late on and almost found it deep into stoppage time through Shaun Brisley.
The central defender met a with a firm header that looked destined for the top corner had it not been for Charles-Cook’s superb reflexes to push it over the crossbar one-handed.
Defeat was just the first in ten matches for the high-flying Magpies, who remain second in League Two table behind leaders Luton.
Notts County boss Nolan bemoaned: “The goal was really sloppy – poor defending from our point of view.
“We had a really good spell at the end where we could have got a draw but the keeper made a fantastic save. Swindon just got beat 5-0 but they turned up (on the day) and we have to take it on the chin.
“This squad is where it is because it deserves to be.
“They are a really good group of lads.”