WES Foderingham said his clearances were as bad as an 11-year-old girl’s as they got caught in high winds during Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town but the Swindon Town goalkeeper was ultimately responsible for ensuring his side picked up three crucial League One points.

Foderingham struggled to clear his lines during 10 minutes of apocalyptic conditions towards the end of the first half at the County Ground, with the ball barely making it 30 yards downfield before being tossed back towards his goal, and the Swindon stopper joked after the game that he was made to look a bit like a schoolgirl as a result.

However, two critical saves – from Paul Parry and Tom Eaves midway through the second period – kept Town in the game and set up Swindon for a late rally, during which Nile Ranger and Michael Smith scored the goals which handed victory to the home side.

“The conditions don’t help at all. We had to try to do our best and play the conditions and I thought we did that well,” he said.

“At times I looked like an 11-year-old girl kicking the ball out because it didn’t go far at all. I’m joking but the conditions were bad. You have to do your best to strike through the ball and get it as far up the pitch as you can.

“It’s difficult because we do want to pass but at times we had to play off the big man and he got two goals today, he was fantastic today. Nile helped us out as well and it’s massive for us that we’ve got two centre-forwards up front who can hold the ball up.”

Foderingham’s save from Eaves, one on one after Darren Ward had sold his keeper short, reminded the County Ground crowd just how important the 23-year-old is to the side.

“You’ve got to remain calm. As a professional footballer you’re used to these situations, you’re used to the pressure and people not giving you much time to do what you want to do.

“It comes naturally and it’s about making the right decisions at the right time in the game,” said Foderingham “There’s only so much you can do in training because it’s training and it’s not a game in front of 8,000 people there screaming and the pressure is a lot higher.

“It’s not easy to always get it right but we’re young players at the club, except for Wardy who won’t mind me saying that.

“We’re learning the game and the more right decisions we can make, the better we can be.”