Richie Wellens hoping Swindon can build on opening-day win

Richie Wellens hopes a 2-0 opening-day victory at Scunthorpe marks the start of a momentum shift at Swindon.

The Robins have not tasted promotion in seven years, but second-half strikes from Jerry Yates and Keshi Anderson – both of which came from quick counter-attacks – ensured they got their Sky Bet League Two campaign off to a perfect start.

“We’ve spoken about it as a group before the start of the season – this club has had so many years without success or settling for mediocrity,” said Wellens.

“But walk around our ground and all the pictures on the walls are of Glenn Hoddle, Ossie Ardiles, Charlie Austin. That needs to change.

“I want this group of players to start giving the fans something to cheer about, so they can be on the walls in four or five years’ time.

“At times today I thought the performance was good. When we got four or five passes together and countered at speed we were very good.

“All in all I’m really pleased. The biggest thing we’ll take away from the game is the result, because once Paul Hurst gets his team together, Scunthorpe will be right up there.

“Football can change quickly, but this was a good afternoon for the club and the supporters.”

Scunthorpe midfielder Matthew Lund hit a post just before the end of the first half and Iron keeper Jake Eastwood punched away Anderson’s swerving free-kick as an end-to-end affair finally began to threaten a goal.

But it was not until the second period that the game really sprung into life, with Swindon scoring twice courtesy of some slick counter-attacking play.

Rotherham loanee Yates marked his debut with the first in the 59th minute, rounding Eastwood and slotting the ball home after good work by Lloyd Isgrove.

Anderson fired in the second 11 minutes later after being played in by Kaiyne Woolery’s through ball.

“I didn’t think there was much in the game, but once Swindon got themselves in front I think we had to react better and realise there was a long time left,” Scunthorpe boss Paul Hurst said.

“I imagine there have been a few other games similar to that on the opening day.

“They scored from our free-kick and while they broke well, at the same time, we’ve got to defend those situations better.

“With the second, we were looking to snatch an equaliser with lots of men in the box. It wasn’t a great ball into their box, but you should be able to give the ball away in the opposition penalty area and not have it cost you a goal.

“We’ll speak with the players about how we can be better. On another day, we could have scored from those attacks, but we have to be better prepared than we were for when it doesn’t fall for you.”