TURNING up late for your new manager's first game in charge is never the best of first impressions - especially with a couple of other strikers champing at the bit for a regular role.
But by the end of the afternoon, even a fine for getting stuck in traffic could not wipe the smile off Billy Paynter's face as he proved to boss Maurice Malpas he can be the man to fire Town towards the League One play-offs.
Without a goal since early November, the arrival of Moses Ashikodi from Watford and Barry Corr completing his three-match ban would understandably have had Paynter looking nervously over his shoulder.
But, while his luck in front of goal did not change, his tireless 90-minute stint will have calmed any anger at his late arrival and proved to Malpas there was not a lot wrong with Town's older striking options.
As it was some superlative Paul Smith goalkeeping and a dubious disallowed goal left the hosts needing two own goals to clinch victory, but their high-flying visitors could have no complaints after being out-played and out-battled on a rain-sodden County Ground surface.
Paynter said: "My day started off badly because I was late.
advertisement
"There was traffic and I have said to myself what have I done to deserve this but at least it got better later on.
"I got a fine but it is one of those things. I was only coming in from Priory Vale but it is always the traffic, it is never my fault.
"There is healthy competition for the striking roles now. Moses has come in, while Barry is available again Tuesday but that is good for the team and for spirits.
"I am not going to give up my place easily though."
On the back of a six-match unbeaten run, Malpas opted to put new signings Ashikodi and Anthony McNamee on the substitutes bench, with Paynter and Blair Sturrock continuing their blossoming partnership in attack.
With Forest clearly not fancying the slippery conditions, it was Town who started the game the stronger and, to many people's surprise, retained that domination for the entire game.
Paynter was denied twice from close range by the alert Smith before James Perch headed Jon-Paul McGovern's brilliant left wing free kick into his own net for the opener.
The former Port Vale man continued to be jinxed after the break, curling a 20-yard strike into the top corner only for referee Mr Thorpe to pull play back and hand Swindon an unwanted free kick.
That looked costly as Luke Chambers headed home an equaliser on 64 minutes but, made of stern stuff this campaign, the hosts hit back with Ian Breckin gifting them a deserved victory.
Since firing in six goals in his first 10 appearances, after signing from Southend in August, Paynter has now gone 12 appearances without hitting the net, but he insists there is no cause for undue panic.
He said: "I thought the first two chances the keeper came out well and closed the angles quickly. Maybe I could have dinked it but the one I have stuck in the net I just wish the ref could have played on a bit longer.
"He has blown at the wrong time. I won't let that dampen my spirits though. The main part is I want to be playing well and working hard for the team. The goals will come.
"I am confident I can score goals but it is the luck I need now. Blair has hit one and it has stuck on the line but with our second goal it looked like it was going to stick for me to put in but it crept over.
"Things are looking good but that is just one game. It is how you get on for the rest of the season. But Forest are a very good side, a good squad and we outbattled them and deserved the victory."
With Ashikodi helping create Town's winner during a lively cameo and a bid still in for Reading's Simon Cox, the attacking options at the County Ground suddenly look very appealing.
While with Jon-Paul McGovern and Sofi Zaaboub in effective form on the flanks, and Christian Roberts and McNamee able deputies in reserve, a lack of service should not be much of a problem.
Forget the appalling conditions as well. Town did not simply out battle their football playing opponents on Saturday, they also passed the ball better than a star-studded Forest.
Posted by: blacky, Swindon on 8:55am Mon 21 Jan 08
I haven't witnessed a Town performance that good since the Hoddle era. We actually looked like a football team, where on earth did that performance come from? I hope that the 'stay away' fans, be it friends, family or work colleagues, are informed by those of us who were at the game to get back to the CG. I still can't believe how well we played!
I haven't witnessed a Town performance that good since the Hoddle era. We actually looked like a football team, where on earth did that performance come from? I hope that the 'stay away' fans, be it friends, family or work colleagues, are informed by those of us who were at the game to get back to the CG. I still can't believe how well we played!
Posted by: Mike Boswell, newbury on 9:26am Mon 21 Jan 08
totally agree with blacky plus also nice to hear the fans give a standing ovation to stuurock who worked so hard on sat and the last few games, I hope the forest sub gets taken to task by the FA for his actions continually warming up infront of the town end and over zealous movements resulting in his rear end pointing towards the fans and finally his turning round when forest equalised and his arm movement with his fist clenched resulting in "chaos" which cant be condoned but understood!!
totally agree with blacky plus also nice to hear the fans give a standing ovation to stuurock who worked so hard on sat and the last few games, I hope the forest sub gets taken to task by the FA for his actions continually warming up infront of the town end and over zealous movements resulting in his rear end pointing towards the fans and finally his turning round when forest equalised and his arm movement with his fist clenched resulting in "chaos" which cant be condoned but understood!!
Posted by: stfcgirlie, swindon on 9:53am Mon 21 Jan 08
I totally agree with you two. We played well from start to finish. Which couldn't have been easy for either side in that weather, and the pitch did affect the play quite a bit. Sturrock played well, but then I think he has lately anyway. Maybe a few of the 'fair weather' fans might start returning now if we carry on playing like that. The players are obviously happier here now because of Fitton and Co, long may that continue. Billy, please keep fighting to keep your place on the teamsheet. I agree with you Mike that the Forest sub was an idiot, but do the Town End lot really have to get that mad? I don't think I've ever seen a sub get booked before he's even come on! Mind you, I don't think I've ever seen two own goals (in our favour) in one game before neither! Come on you Reds.
I totally agree with you two. We played well from start to finish. Which couldn't have been easy for either side in that weather, and the pitch did affect the play quite a bit. Sturrock played well, but then I think he has lately anyway. Maybe a few of the 'fair weather' fans might start returning now if we carry on playing like that. The players are obviously happier here now because of Fitton and Co, long may that continue. Billy, please keep fighting to keep your place on the teamsheet. I agree with you Mike that the Forest sub was an idiot, but do the Town End lot really have to get that mad? I don't think I've ever seen a sub get booked before he's even come on! Mind you, I don't think I've ever seen two own goals (in our favour) in one game before neither! Come on you Reds.
Posted by: Dorset Red, Dorset on 9:53am Mon 21 Jan 08
That performance has be brewing for a while. There were signs of it against Swansea and Walsall. I think it only needs the odd little tweak here and there and we are actually going to be looking at a good team!!
That performance has be brewing for a while. There were signs of it against Swansea and Walsall. I think it only needs the odd little tweak here and there and we are actually going to be looking at a good team!!
Posted by: stfcgirlie, swindon on 9:55am Mon 21 Jan 08
Itchy, if you're on here today - you know your stuff - can you (or anyone else) think of a game where we've seen two own goals in one go, in the last 20+ years??
Itchy, if you're on here today - you know your stuff - can you (or anyone else) think of a game where we've seen two own goals in one go, in the last 20+ years??
Posted by: Itchy Bush, High Wycombe on 10:49am Mon 21 Jan 08
01 February 2003
Sunderland 1-3 Charlton Athletic
Two own goals from Michael Proctor cost Sunderland dear, and Tore Andre Flo may be credited with another own goal for the first.
Mark Fish's shot took a deflection on its way into the net, before Proctor claimed his unwanted pair of goals and Kevin Phillips netted a penalty.
01 February 2003
Sunderland 1-3 Charlton Athletic
Two own goals from Michael Proctor cost Sunderland dear, and Tore Andre Flo may be credited with another own goal for the first.
Mark Fish's shot took a deflection on its way into the net, before Proctor claimed his unwanted pair of goals and Kevin Phillips netted a penalty.
Posted by: stfcgirlie, swindon on 10:58am Mon 21 Jan 08
Cheers Itchy. I'm guessing no Swindon games tho?
Just been on the STFC website - some cracking pictures of Saturdays game! Calderwood is one of my all out heros, I could nearly feel sorry for him after that game. Nearly, but not quite!!
Cheers Itchy. I'm guessing no Swindon games tho?
Just been on the STFC website - some cracking pictures of Saturdays game! Calderwood is one of my all out heros, I could nearly feel sorry for him after that game. Nearly, but not quite!!
Could not agree more with already posted comments, all the players worked their socks off and fought for everything,if we can keep putting in performances like that getting to the play offs will be a formality.As for Notts Forest the only two goals they deserved were the ones they scored for us, bring on leeds
Could not agree more with already posted comments, all the players worked their socks off and fought for everything,if we can keep putting in performances like that getting to the play offs will be a formality.As for Notts Forest the only two goals they deserved were the ones they scored for us, bring on leeds
Posted by: steve-o, Swindon on 12:20pm Mon 21 Jan 08
Yep we was good value and thats an understatment, Forest were pants and didnt deserve nothing,why Billy wasnt allowed to continue advantage is beyond me. Also long awaited nice one, Blair great game!!
Yep we was good value and thats an understatment, Forest were pants and didnt deserve nothing,why Billy wasnt allowed to continue advantage is beyond me. Also long awaited nice one, Blair great game!!
Posted by: Worcester Red, Worcester on 4:56pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Town did not simply out battle their football playing opponents on Saturday, they also passed the ball better than a star-studded Forest.
"Star-studded Forest" which Forest team were you watching Cryer?... Even the journo's still think they're famous. Laughable...
Town were immense, play like that every week and 1st June we'll all be in London! U reds!
Town did not simply out battle their football playing opponents on Saturday, they also passed the ball better than a star-studded Forest.
"Star-studded Forest" which Forest team were you watching Cryer?... Even the journo's still think they're famous. Laughable...
Town were immense, play like that every week and 1st June we'll all be in London! U reds!
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
Comment
