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Swindon Town’s 2022-23 season – key moments in photos
Town went through three different coaches, scored five goals on more than one occasion, and ended 10th in League Two.
Here are 22 pictures taken by photographers Rob Noyes, Andy Crook, and Callum Knowles showing the key moments that helped to define Town’s underwhelming campaign.
HEAD IN HANDS AT HARROGATE
A season which is unlikely to last long in the memory began in disastrous circumstances with a 3-0 thumping away at Harrogate Town.
Former head coach Scott Lindsey cut a frustrated figure after the Sulphurites third goal went in. Photo: Rob Noyes.
MCKIRDY’S FINAL TOWN APPEARANCE
The definition of a talisman lit up the County Ground for a little more than a year before earning an early exit against Salford City in what turned out to be Harry McKirdy’s final game for the Robins.
Referee Andy Woolmer appeared desperate to get rid of the striker as quickly as possible, and duly sent McKirdy off prior to half-time. McKirdy then stormed off down the tunnel before giving birth to ‘milkshake-gate.’ Photo: Rob Noyes.
SWINDON’S FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON
At the start of a purple patch for the youngster, Jacob Wakeling netted Town’s first goal of the season, four games in.
It was made all the sweeter for the ex-Barrow loanee due to the fact it arrived against Carlisle United – the Bluebirds’ Cumbrian rivals. Photo: Alex James.
ONE OF THE FASTEST EVER
Less than 30 seconds in to a comfortable 3-0 home win over Rochdale, Wakeling netted what is believed to be the third fastest goal in Swindon Town’s history. Photo: Rob Noyes.
CATCH OF THE DAY
Following some unnecessary criticism by a vocal minority early on, Sol Brynn bounced back by leading the Swindon defence in a heroic performance in a 2-1 win away at Grimsby Town.
Lindsey showed his appreciation for Brynn in front of the travelling fans. Photo: Callum Knowles.
LAST-GASP LUKE
Plymouth Argyle striker Luke Jephcott taps in the rebound after his penalty was initially saved by Bradford City goalkeeper Harry Lewis at Valley Parade.
Town stole a point in the midweek 1-1 draw, thanks to the stoppage-time goal. Photo: Callum Knowles.
THE FIRST FIVE-STAR DISPLAY
Arguably Swindon’s most impressive performance of the season arrived at Field Mill against Mansfield Town in late October.
Jonny Williams scored twice to restore parity on separate occasions before Jephcott added a third after half-time. Ronan Darcy’s stunner (above) marked the fourth prior to Ben Gladwin’s late penalty, wrapping up a scintilating 5-2 victory. Photo: Callum Knowles.
DUMPED OUT OF THE CUP
Just days after the impressive Mansfield victory, Swindon were well and truly thumped 4-0 by a dominant Stockport County side in the first round of the FA Cup. Photo: Callum Knowles.
REED – THE FINAL CHAPTER
Louis Reed’s early penalty was the difference between Barrow and Swindon on a day which saw all four seasons, weather-wise. By the end, the pitch was bordering on a quagmire, and those hardy souls who had travelled up north were equally cold and wet.
Little did they know it at the time, but that would be Reed’s fifth and final goal for the Robins before he flew off to Mansfield. Photo: Callum Knowles.
GOAL OF THE SEASON
Marcel Lavinier wheels away in celebration after firing a long-range screamer into the top right corner of Lee Burge’s net against Northampton Town.
Swindon won 2-1 in the week between Christmas and New Year, days before an eventful January. Photo: Callum Knowles.
RETURN OF THE KING
Town ended the year by signing one of the club’s modern heroes.
Initially arriving on a short-term deal, Charlie Austin’s signature was supposed to help fire Swindon towards the top seven. Photo: Callum Knowles.
NEW YEAR – SAME RESULT AT COLCHESTER
The 1-0 reverse at Colchester United on New Year’s Day turned out to be Scott Lindsey’s final game in charge of the club. Although rumours surfaced that Lindsey would have two games to save his job thereafter, the coach ended up leaving for Crawley Town by his own volition days later.
Luke Hannant netted the only goal as Col U began to fight their way out of trouble. Photo: Callum Knowles.
THE DREAM DEBUT
In the second of Swindon’s five-star performances last term, Austin marked his return with an early debut goal against Grimsby Town.
Gunning-ball was born as the Robins took the Mariners apart through five different scorers on the day. Photo: Callum Knowles.
CHARLIE SAVES THE DAY
A superbly-entertaining 3-3 draw featured in Gav Gunning’s second game as interim head coach.
After going 3-1 down at home to Gillingham, Austin’s second-half brace rescued a point prior to Saidou Khan’s second red card of three in the season. Photo: Andy Crook.
SWINDON APPOINT MORRIS
Town appointed former Chelsea assistant manager Jody Morris as the club’s new head coach on January 30, leaving little time to work on new signings before the window slammed shut.
Morris would later be joined by friend and another ex-Blues academy coach, Ed Brand. Photo: Callum Knowles.
LOOSE HANDS COST POINTS
In Morris’ first game as head coach – a 2-1 defeat to Newport County – Rushian Hepburn-Murphy reacted poorly to a tangle in front of the dugouts, earning him an early red card.
The decision changed the game and presented Town with an uphill battle – one they could not overcome. Photo: Callum Knowles.
MORRIS’ FIRST WIN AND WAKELING’S STUNNER
After three failed attempts, Morris managed his first victory as Swindon boss courtesy of Wakeling’s League Two Goal of the Month winner and the only own goal Town benefitted from all season. Photo: Callum Knowles.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
Former Port Vale striker Ryan Edmondson heads Carlisle’s stoppage-time winner in early March.
The Cumbrians’ late goal in a 2-1 success was the first of three incidents in five games where Swindon dropped points in almost identical circumstances – ultimately ending the Robins’ chances of reaching the play-offs. Photo: Andy Crook.
AUSTIN’S FOUR-MIDDABLE AFTERNOON
Until March 18, Austin had never scored a hat-trick for Swindon, let alone four. But in a remarkable afternoon, personally, the 33-year-old single-handedly helped Town to a point at Rochdale.
It should have been three for Jody Morris’ men, but the defensive issues continued and another added-time goal was shipped. Photo: Callum Knowles.
NO HART AND NO FIGHT IN POOLS DEFEAT
Leading 1-0 against Hartlepool United through Hepburn-Murphy’s long-range effort, Swindon collapsed and ended up losing the game 2-1 thanks to goals in the 88th and 94th minute.
Pools goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk celebrates the winner in front of delirious home fans. Photo: Callum Knowles.
THIRD AND FINAL FIVE-STAR DISPLAY
AFC Wimbledon’s nack of going a goal up but failing to snare three points saw them lead League Two for points dropped from winning positions.
Although Town weren’t superb on the day, they managed to score five times – including a first Swindon strike for centre-back, Tom Clayton – in the 5-1 victory. Photo: Callum Knowles.
A FINAL-DAY FLOURISH
Clinching 10th place thanks to goals from Austin and Jake Cain, Swindon also managed to send former boss Lindsey home unhappy after a 2-1 win over Crawley on the final day.
Jake Cain’s stunning free-kick was the last highlight in a tough campaign. Photo: Callum Knowles.
