SO THREE goals in two games. A pretty good start for new man Michael Smith.

The former Charlton forward joins an illustrious band of strikers who have made an instant impression with the Town faithful.

To score on your debut must be a great feeling and immediately takes any pressure is lifted and the fans are on your side.

There have been examples, though of it not working out.

You might remember Elliot Benyon grabbing a last-minute equaliser in his first start, but it never quite happened after that.

Mostly though, making an instant impression is a great advantage.

Back in 1973, a young player joined on loan from Wolves.

Peter Eastoe was his name and he became one of the best strikers to ever wear a Town shirt.

It was a season of relegation. Swindon finished bottom of what is now the Championship. Eastoe though, hit two on his debut at home against Carlisle.

The mark of a good player is to carry on scoring when a team is struggling. That’s what he did.

So when Danny Williams returned to manage the club, taking over from Les Allen, he forked out £80,000 to bring Peter back from Molineux.

Alan Mayes was another name to strike fear into the hearts of defenders.

Signed in March 1979, he hit a hat-trick on his debut at Rotherham.

He went on to form a great partnership with Andy Rowland and helped us to the semi-finals of the League Cup.

There was three goals on debut for ‘Super’ Sammy Parkin against Barnsley in 2002 and he became a 20-goal a season man.

Don’t forget Paul Rideout’s header against Hull in his first match after a superb effort had been ruled out for offside.

Another player who returned for a second spell at the County Ground under Glenn Hoddle, Rideout left for Villa then went on to Bari and Everton where he scored a cup final winner.

I often wonder how Gary Alexander’s Town career would have worked out after his debut ‘goal’ was chalked off for an unapparent push against Colchester.

On such decisions legends are made or missed.

Good start Michael, keep 'em coming.