Butterworth the Hero in End-to-End Clash
The Robins took an early lead in the 10th minute when Joel McGregor’s pinpoint long ball set up Harry Smith, who confidently headed in his sixth goal of the campaign. However, the hosts responded swiftly. Just six minutes later, Ben Woods delivered a precise corner that Manchester United loanee Sonny Aljofree turned in at the near post for his maiden League goal.
Accrington turned the game on its head on the half-hour mark, as Donald Love’s perfectly placed free-kick found Farrend Rawson, who powered a header past goalkeeper Jack Bycroft. Despite Bycroft’s string of impressive saves, Stanley looked poised to secure all three points.
After the interval, Accrington remained dominant but were left ruing missed opportunities. Dara Costelloe and Rawson both came close to extending their lead but failed to capitalise. These misses proved costly, as Swindon clawed their way back into the match in dramatic fashion.
Butterworth’s equaliser in the 69th minute was a moment of individual brilliance. A slick one-two sent him darting through the defence, evading several challenges before slotting a low shot into the bottom corner, sparking celebrations from the travelling fans.
“We couldn’t ask for any more of the lads and my mantra is, ‘if you can’t win a game, don’t lose it’. But it should have been out of sight in the first half. We should have put the game to bed and we didn’t,” said Accrington manager John Doolan. “We took the lead into half-time and created chance after chance in the second half but didn’t take them. This allowed them to grow into the game, and it pushed us deeper. For 70 minutes we were very good, but we’ve got to be more clinical.”
Swindon’s resilience ensured a share of the spoils, leaving both teams reflecting on a fiercely contested encounter that could have swung either way.
Writer’s View
Swindon Town showed great character to claw back a point against a dominant Accrington side. Butterworth’s goal highlighted the potential in Holloway’s squad, but their defensive lapses remain a concern. Meanwhile, Accrington will rue their missed chances and must address their inability to close out games if they hope to climb the table.
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