Leyton Orient 1, Swindon 2

Swindon Town end their winless run against Leyton Orient at the Matchroom Stadium on Boxing Day.

The Swindon Fans were in fine voice after the news that Danny Wilson had been named new manager of the club. Chants of “Danny Wilson’s Red And White Army” rang around the Matchroom Stadium.

As for the match, Town got off to best possible start with Lee Peacock slamming home a ball on only 42 seconds into the match giving the visitors an early 1-0 advantage.

Town held on to their lead thanks to good defending and goalkeeping by Peter Brezovan who was making his first start in quite some time. Town would go into the half time break 1-0 up and looking comfortable.

Town would start the second half much like the first and were firing on all cylinders.

On 56 minutes Town fans were outraged as Simon Cox was brought down in the box however referee Jarnail Singh waved play on which brought chants of “Where is our penalty?”, Well the question was answered quite quickly as Alton Thelwell was adjudged to hand balled in the area and Singh gave Town the penalty they should have had minutes earlier.

Jack Smith stood up and took the penalty and gave Town a 2-0 lead sending the Town fans into raptures.

Town fans were on cloud nine chanting “You should have gone to the sales” whilst Orient fans were perhaps wondering if Martin Ling should have left for Swindon. A couple things were for certain, Sam Parkin is not the same player he was at Swindon and had a quiet afternoon and Leyton Orient fans are some of the quietest in League One.

Town fans faced a nervy last 10 minutes of the match after Tamika Mkandawire clawed one back for Orient with a header on 79 minutes.

Town managed to hold on to their 2-1 lead and managed to seal all three points on a memorable day in East London.

Town fans gave a standing ovation to the players and thanked David Byrne for his efforts by chanting “There’s only one David Byrne” at the end of the match, a fitting tribute to a man who has given so much in so short a time at STFC.

Player Ratings

Peter Brezovan – 8
Brezovan was back between the sticks and in fine form. Looked determined to hold on to the shirt.

Jack Smith – 7
Another good game by Smith. Hopefully he will get a new contract at the end of the season. Was cool and composed as he took his penalty.

Jerel Ifil – 7
A definite improvement on his last game against Yeovil. Hopefully Wilson can get the best out of Ifil.

Patrick Kanyuka – 7
Great game by Kanyuka. Looked very sturdy at the back. Another player who looks as if he was playing for his future.

Michael Timlin – 7
Timlin had another fine game for Town and looked very good. Distribution was spot on.

Craig Easton – 6
Not Easton’s best game but not bad by any means. He hasn’t seen regular action and is just finding his feet again.

Lilian Nalis – 6
Nalis lead from midfield and was a surprise inclusion, as usual his passing was spot on.

Jon-Paul McGovern – 8
J.P Had one of his finest games in a Swindon shirt, put in lots of effort and ran about. Clearly trying to impress incoming manager Danny Wilson.

Lee Peacock – 7
Again, Peacock wore his heart on his sleeve and finally got the goal he deserved less than a minute into the game.

Blair Sturrock – 7
Played the channels well. The underrated Sturrock Junior had a fine game and hopefully he will get another chance Sunday with Billy Paynter still suspended.

Simon Cox – 6
Not one of Simon’s better games, Hasn’t looked the same player since Maurice Malpas was sacked. Once Cox scores another goal we are sure the confidence will return.

Michael Pook – N/A
Not on the pitch long enough to rate.

Next Match

Manager Rating
David Byrne – Byrne has taken a lot of stick lately and finally got the win he deserves. There is no doubt the guy is passionate about Swindon Town and could have left for other, more secure jobs in the past but stuck with Town. Byrne goes back to being number 2 with Danny Wilson as boss however Town fans showed their appreciation for “Budgies” efforts by chanting “There’s only one David Byrne”. As for the team, The players must have responded to the hour long talk between them and Byrne last weekend. Roll on Brighton!

Opponent Rating
Martin Ling – One would say that Orient faced Swindon on the wrong day, a new manager was in place and therefore there was a lift prior to the game. On another day it may have ended 1-1. Adam Boyd and Sam Parkin just don’t look like a successful partnership. Parkin is no longer the player he was and is struggling. Ling will live to fight another day but Orient need a decent striker if they are to push up the table. Boyd or Parkin are not the answer from where we were.

Atmosphere
The atmosphere and mood among the Swindon Town fans was lifted thanks to the appointment of Danny Wilson as manager as well as the early goal by Lee Peacock. An appearance by a Grant Mitchell look a like brought a bit of a laugh and banter from Town fans and the Mitchell look alike who was watching the match from the flats facing the pitch. The only noise the Leyton Orient fans made was when they scored. Apart from that is was like a morgue and no doubt most Leyton Orient fans wish they were watching Chelsea or Arsenal.

Match Stats
For all the stats from this match please CLICK HERE

Next Match
Coca Cola League One – Swindon Town V Brighton & Hove Albion, Sunday 28 December 2008, 3pm Kick off from the County Ground.