Ian Holloway cajoled his 10-man Swindon side to an unlikely last-gasp 1-1 draw against Gillingham after an energetic display bouncing between seats in the main stand.
Holloway officially takes charge on Monday after Town sacked Mark Kennedy earlier in the week, but saw his new charges get off to the rockiest of starts when Grant Hall was dismissed in the ninth minute before Tim Dieng’s opener for Gills seven minutes later.
However, Harry Smith’s stoppage-time header lifted the gloom and Robins coach Gavin Gunning, who selected the side, predicts the good times will return for the League Two strugglers under Holloway.
“He’s charismatic, a big character. Fans are going to love him,” said Gunning.
“Obviously, the fans are not happy at the moment, but he’s going to drag them back and we’re going to be getting big crowds again, because the football is going to be good. It’ll be off-the-seat stuff.
“It’s a coup to bring in someone with such experience and wealth and knowledge as Ian Holloway. We’ll be learning an awful lot.
“He was a jack in the box. It’s going to be really infectious for the fans here. I just think it’s going to be a really successful time.”
Hall deservedly walked after going through Dieng, and Gunning said: “I didn’t really see the red card, to be honest. My eyesight is terrible. I need glasses.
“I can only be happy for the boys, I think they showed great character. We had 10 men for 90 minutes but the boys dug in.”
Early in the match, Robins keeper Jack Bycroft had parried Oliver Hawkin’s effort on to the woodwork before the Gills frontman hammered wide with the goal at his mercy.
However, the visitors went ahead in the 16th minute when former Town striker Jacob Wakeling latched on to a long ball and squared for Dieng to tap in.
Bycroft then pulled off a stunning save to deny Dieng’s firm downward header, but Swindon raised their game after the interval and, with seconds remaining, their pressure paid off when Tunmise Sobowale swung in an enticing cross which was met by Smith’s firm far-post header.
Frustrated Gillingham boss Mark Bonner said: “It feels like a defeat, obviously, when we’re so close to taking three points from the game which, frankly, we deserved.
“It’s a hard one to take for us, for the supporters and for the players.
“We controlled the first half well. We didn’t penetrate and get enough bodies high up the pitch. We had chances but didn’t get the second goal, which is the killer in the game.
“If you don’t kill that beast, they’ll come back and fight you and they did right at the end there.
“We go home with a point, which is a positive from ending a losing run, but not when you’re so many minutes in the lead.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
