PREVIEW: Swindon Town vs Argyle
Ryan Lowe’s Pilgrims make their third away trip in eight days on Tuesday night, heading to the Energy Check County Ground to take on Swindon Town in Sky Bet League One.
The Greens have enjoyed a resurgent 2021, having lost just once in all competitions this year, falling narrowly short to Premier League side Sheffield United in the fourth round of the FA Cup at the weekend.
The Pilgrims finished strongly against their top-flight opponents, with energetic midfielder Panutche Camara on target against the Blades, taking his tally to four for the season.
John Sheridan’s Robins have won just two of their last ten games, but the division’s 23rd-placed club have shown signs of revival of late – picking up four points in their last three matches against promotion-chasing opponents.
The first of these three fixtures saw Town secure an eye-catching 3-2 win away at Ipswich Town, with Scott Twine’s long-range effort the pick of the goals. The following fixture, Swindon lost 2-1 at home to play-off placed Doncaster Rovers, before their weekend trip to the Valley.
The Robins looked well on course to take all three points on the road at Charlton Athletic, leading 2-0 at the interval thanks to goals from Hallam Hope and Matt Palmer, but the win was cruelly snatched away in the 90th minute, when Andrew Shinnie drew Lee Bowyer’s side level.
Argyle are three unbeaten in Sky Bet League One, having started the year with a 1-0 home win over Gillingham, courtesy of top goal scorer Luke Jephcott, before drawing 1-1 with Crewe Alexandra at Home Park.
Last time out in the league, the Pilgrims produced their first away win of the campaign, a brilliant 2-1 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, thanks to goals from Liverpool loanee Adam Lewis and captain Joe Edwards.
Sheridan has been busy in the January transfer window, bolstering his squad with a number of additions in an attempt to enhance the Wiltshire club’s survival prospects.
Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers sits behind a newly-formed defence which includes former Sheffield United man Kieron Freeman, while, at the other end of the pitch, Tyrese Omotoye has joined on-loan from Norwich City. Omotoye, 18, scored for the Canaries in their 3-2 Papa John’s Trophy win over Argyle early in the campaign.
ARGYLE AWAY TO SWINDON TOWN IN THE EFL
The record: P 34 W 12 D 7 L 15 F 42 A 51
The first time: 16 October, 1920. Division Three. Swindon Town 1 Argyle 1
Bob Jack’s men drew 1-1 at the County Ground in both clubs’ inaugural season in the EFL. George Sheffield scored our goal.
The last time: 12 October, 2019. Sky Bet League Two. Swindon Town 1 Argyle 1
Ryan Lowe’s Pilgrims drew 1-1 at The Energy Check County Ground, just four days after having beaten the same opponents 3-0 in the EFL Trophy at the same venue.
Current Town forward, Joel Grant, scored in both games for the Greens. In the League Two match, played on Saturday, October 12th, 2019, Grant grabbed our 76th minute equaliser after Eoin Doyle had given the Robins the lead on the stroke of half-time. Both sides went on to gain promotion to League One at the end of the curtailed season, with Swindon claiming the divisional title.
Biggest win: 9 March, 1957. Division Three (South). Swindon Town 0 Argyle 3
Jack Rowley’s team won 3-0 at the County Ground on Saturday, March 9th, 1957 in Division 3 South. Neil Dougall scored twice for us, while Town’s Jim Cross kindly put through his own net.
Most goals in a single game: Seven in an exciting 4-3 win by Jack Rowley’s Pilgrims on Saturday, February 28th, 1959 in Division 3. Jimmy Gauld scored a hat-trick and Peter Anderson grabbed our other goal. This represents the only occasion where either club has scored more than three goals in this fixture at the County Ground.
Tuesday night's fixture kicks-off at 7pm, and is available to stream live and worldwide on iFollow Argyle. Click here to buy your pass.