Swindon Town boss Mark Kennedy claimed his side “absolutely dominated” the game despite suffering a 2-0 defeat to Carlisle United at the County Ground.
Kennedy’s Robins struggled to break down a resilient Carlisle side, who, under new head coach Mike Williamson, defended deeply and struck with two set-piece goals to secure the win. The Swindon manager expressed his frustration after the match, pointing out that his team controlled much of the play but failed to convert their chances.
In a game where Swindon started brightly, Carlisle’s defence held firm against early pressure. Kabongo Tshimanga had the first real chance for the home side, forcing a sharp save from Carlisle goalkeeper Harry Lewis, who was alert throughout the afternoon. Swindon continued to press, but it was Carlisle who broke the deadlock just before half-time when Sam Lavelle forced the ball home from a Cameron Harper corner.
Swindon looked for a response in the second half, but their pressure was undone again by a Carlisle set-piece. Luke Armstrong’s effort, pushed onto the post by Jack Bycroft, was ruled to have crossed the line, sealing the win for the visitors. Swindon’s Dan Butterworth hit the post late on, but it was not enough to spark a comeback as Carlisle secured only their second win of the campaign.
Kennedy, speaking after the game, lamented his side’s inability to capitalize on their dominance. “It’s just bitterly frustrating. I thought we absolutely dominated the game in every area of the pitch,” he said. “But two set-pieces have cost us today. Jack [Bycroft, Swindon’s keeper] has not had a thing to do for the whole game.”
Kennedy also expressed frustration with a long stoppage in the first half due to an injury to an assistant referee, which he believed disrupted Swindon’s momentum. “The injury to the official was a bit of a kick in the teeth. I thought we were really dominant until then,” Kennedy added. “Once they [Carlisle] scored the first goal, and particularly in the second half, they just had 11 men behind the ball – but credit to them, they defended well.”
Reflecting on the match, Kennedy suggested that Swindon did everything needed to win but were ultimately let down by poor defending from set-pieces. “We got League Two-ed with two set-pieces,” he remarked, highlighting the physical nature of Carlisle’s defensive play.
Kennedy might have felt his side did well, but that’s not how many of their supporters saw the afternoon. They’re beginning to get tired of the same comments suggesting Swindon are doing well, with some even referring to the former Lincoln City man as ‘delusional’.
TBF no manager at this Club will ever last a whole season when the resources & general set up of the Club is so poor.
All are destined to disappoint— STFC F (@ChisieWeirdo) September 21, 2024
Pretty clear that managers remit is not to win games, but to develop players for profit. That’s why he’s only bothered about possession, speaks so highly about them in the media and is so unbothered about winning games. But also in reality doesn’t matter who manager is #STFC
— Mezz (@joemerriman_) September 21, 2024
We do have massive potential.
I hope kennedy replays game to show players. If anyone understands football there is always a hole in the attacking midfield. I.e. where kemp and Payne would play historically.
I thought when we bought on Mcgurt late on that was the plan.
Even though— Bushton Ferris (@bushtonferris) September 21, 2024
“We got League Two-ed at two set pieces”. We seem to keep getting “League Two-ed”. Has nobody told Kennedy which division we’re in?
— Paul D 💙 (@PaulD_70) September 21, 2024
A fool can be easily fooled by very basic data
— STFC F (@ChisieWeirdo) September 22, 2024
Sorry Mark, we were poor in the final third today, and couldn’t defend corners.
It wasn’t terrible. But those are the key areas.
— Batch_STFC (@BatchStfc) September 21, 2024
😂 dominated in every area other than crossing, scoring and defending set pieces. More or less a win then 🤷🏻♂️
— Si Harrison 🔰 (@si1202) September 21, 2024
Delusional
— who am i (@59Graham) September 21, 2024
“Did everything needed to win a game of football?” You have to score to win games of football. This bloke has more excuses than Gunning. Delusional
— Dave 🏴 🇮🇪 (@drb7743) September 21, 2024
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