Swindon 2 – 1 Port Vale

May 15, 2022 admin

Harry McKirdy scored twice as Swindon edged the first leg of their Sky Bet League Two play-off semi-final 2-1 against Port Vale.

Striker McKirdy scored in each half at the County Ground to put the Robins in the ascendancy in the tie.

But James Wilson’s late goal gave Vale – who had been second best for most of the afternoon – real hope of a comeback heading back to Vale Park.

Advantage Swindon after first leg

Swindon enjoyed the better of the first half, and it was from a set-piece where they found the breakthrough on 26 minutes. There were no real surprises with the goal scorer, as McKirdy added to the 20 he got in the regular League Two season with a fine run and a glancing near-post header from a Jonny Williams corner.

It was McKirdy again who struck again on 68 minutes. He brought the ball down and then played it wide for Jack Payne, who saw his shot palmed by goalkeeper Aidan Stone into the path of McKirdy, who showed super composure to volley home his second.

Moments after the second Swindon had a glorious chance to add a third as a slip from Aaron Martin allowed Josh Davison in on goal, but he could only fire over the bar with McKirdy screaming for the ball to his right.

And that momend could have proved costly for Swindon in this tie, as Vale grabbed a crucial goal on 83 minutes, with former Manchester United striker Wilson popping up at the far post to prod home Jamie Proctor’s deflected strike and give them a foothold going into the second leg.

Man of the Match – Harry McKirdy

Danny Gabbidon on Sky Sports Football:

“It can only be one man. He has been absolutely outstanding, the talisman for Swindon all season long. The first one looked like it came off the training ground, the second a really clinical finish.”