After an outstanding month in League Two Swindon’s attentions now move to cup competitions, which started with Wimbledon in the Johnstones Paint Trophy on Tuesday night.

Firstly I think everyone would agree that this season is all about promotion back to League One, that’s the clubs first and main ambition, but with football being in a awful financial state the three Cup competitions aren’t something football league clubs can ignore.

On Tuesday night Town entertained Wimbledon for the first time since the club was founded in 2002, unfortunately the game itself was a disappointing one from both teams on the night.

After 90 minutes and a 1-1 draw Town won the game on penalties 3-1 thanks to some brilliant goalkeeping from Phil Smith who saved all three of the Dons spot kicks.

Paolo made six changes from the team that beat Port Vale last Saturday, Oliver Risser made his first team return and celebrated with a fantastic goal in front of the Town End, similar to the goal we saw way back in August.

We also got the chance to see players who haven’t been making the first team regularly this season, Even though he started last Saturday and played a influential role its been a while since the County Ground witnessed Lander Gabilondo in action.

Due to limited time on the pitch he didn’t play as big a role on Tuesday but hopefully now he’s back in Paolo’s plans for the foreseeable future even if it’s as an impact player from the bench.

It was also good to see Etienne Esajas make a return to the first team, after losing his place early in the season he’s become a forgotten man in Swindon but after his man of the match appearance on Tuesday we might be seeing more of him as well.

If we are being honest the Johnstones Paint Trophy isn’t the most fashionable Cup in English football, its sometimes looks like a hindrance to a club.

But now that Town has reached the semi finals for the second time and first time since 2005 it does take on some importance to the club especially that its only three games from another final at Wembley.

This Saturday the clubs F.A Cup campaign starts at home to the Country’s in form team Huddersfield Town.

In typical Swindon fashion we’ve been handed a very tough game against a team who haven’t lost a league games in 42 matches.

But with Huddersfield losing their top goalscorer Jordan Rhodes to international duty and Town in top form this shouldn’t be the walkover a lot of football fans might be expecting outside of Wiltshire.

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