Wellens delighted to see progress made by Swindon players

Posted Sunday, February 02, 2020 by PA

Richie Wellens believes Swindon’s wind-assisted 2-1 victory over Exeter showed how far the League Two pacesetters have come during his tenure.

Hallam Pope’s header in first half stoppage time proved to be the difference as the Robins remained on course for promotion in front of a bumper home crowd.

Wellens said: “If you go back to my first game, we got beat 4-0 by Carlisle in front of 6500 fans and I’m thinking what have I let myself in for.

“It was chalk and cheese today, the support was brilliant in volume and numbers.”

A match with few clear-cut chances almost saw an opening goal after 17 minutes, but Hope’s effort was tipped behind before Eoin Doyle saw a 24th-minute shot saved.

The game got off to a cagey start but Swindon broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when returning hero Doyle was credited with getting the decisive touch to a Michael Doughty corner.

The home fans were silenced 14 minutes later when Randell Williams seized on a defensive error before slotting in to make it 1-1 from just inside the box.

Hope restored Swindon’s lead just before half-time after heading in Diallang Jaiyesimi’s cross from the right side of the box.

It was Hope’s second goal in three games since his January move from Carlisle.

Exeter rarely caused goalkeeper Steven Benda much bother after that, a fact highlighted by Brennan Dickinson firing over a free-kick midway through the second half.

Wellens admitted the blustery conditions in Wiltshire payed their part in his side’s triumph.

He said: “I think the conditions weren’t great. First half we caused a hell of a lot of problems because they couldn’t get out with the wind.

“The goal just before half-time was obviously massive because we probably deserved another goal and they caused us problems when they had the wind in the second half and we struggled to get out.

“It was a game of two halves, both teams were on top when they had the wind with them, we just took the chances.

“Our line was higher than Exeter’s and we managed to get in and around the penalty box and made the pressure pay.

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy in the second half and Exeter put us under pressure but we withstood it and I can’t really remember Steven Benda making a save. All in all, it’s a good win.

“If you stay deep then all those long balls will run out of play, they will hit bodies in the box and they’re difficult to defend against.

“They had a lot of balls that went through to our goalkeeper and out of play. In the second half we were under pressure but didn’t concede too many chances.”

Exeter manager Matt Taylor cut a frustrated figure following his side’s defeat.

He said: “I’m disappointed. The wind really affected the game.

“We didn’t deal with the environment any better than Swindon but they were quicker to the ball all over the pitch today.

“We conceded two goals and then we’re chasing the game. I didn’t feel my players came out on top of their battles and I have not said that too often this season.

“Against a team like Swindon who score a lot of good goals and play a lot of good football it was all about the basics today.

“Today was all about scrapping then you earn the right to play. The ball was in the air a lot and bouncing a lot.

“Normally not many teams can live with our intensity but Swindon did that really well.

“We didn’t seem to have a change of pace in us today but we can’t use that as an excuse. There were enough good players on that pitch today to do what I wanted them to.”