MATCHDAY LIVE: Swindon Town 5 Portsmouth 0 (From Swindon Advertiser)

5:26pm

That's it from us at Matchday Live for today, folks.

What an afternoon for Swindon Town, and in particular James Collins whose four goals inspired Paolo Di Canio's side to their second straight 5-0 victory.

I am not sure it is possible for a substitute to have had more of an impact after coming on than Collins did, and he deserves all the praise he gets.

Town are back in action at the County Ground on Saturday against Carlisle, and if the last two games are anything to go by we can certainly expect some goals.

We will be back then, and we hope you are too,

Until then, enjoy the rest of your New Year's Day.

4:39pm

Striker James Collins was 'over the moon' with his four-goal haul this afternoon.

FOUR-GOAL HERO JAMES COLLINS

“I am over the moon to have contributed today, but I think the work was done before I got on," he said.

“I haven’t been in the team the last few weeks, but four goals I couldn’t ask for anything better.

“I think it was my first touch, but the hat-trick goal was my pick because it was great to score my first league hat-trick.

“Andy Williams scored two against Tranmere and Chris Martin is very sharp, so I have had to wait and I knew I could take my chance.”

4:32pm

4:31pm

The Town boss also spoke about the situation regarding his on loan players now the transfer window is open.

PAOLO DI CANIO

“Some loan players that we got came to me and said they want to say.

“I said ‘you want to stay even though I ama killer of a manager?’, but they want to stay here, and if they want to stay I want to keep them.

“We are working to keep them in the next 20 days, so we are going to work hard to extend for two or three weeks and then work hard to negotiate for the rest of the season.

“If Andrew Black was here today he would say here is the money.

“We are there, it is not done and there is no insurance we can go up.

“Then at the end if we don’t go up he can kick my bottom, but at the moment I don’t count on help from the board, I do it on my own. Even though I hope.

“It is difficult and I have to go through people who do not want this.

“I didn’t give up because I know even in this situation we should keep this base and have a good satisfaction although everything can change at Easter.

“In the last three weeks we became a team and group, which is different to the team. I am sure we can keep going in this because they are not silly.”

4:29pm

Di Canio also revealed the work which went on to turn things round after Town's difficult spell at home earlier in the season.

PAOLO DI CANIO

“We focus on why we had a problem at the beginning of the season, and everyone had their opinion.

“I wanted to listen to everybody, but as a manager I can have a clear idea.

“There was too much pressure from themselves, and we were fantastic last year.

“There was a worry on how we do things, and there were mistakes in front of the goal like Andy Williams.

This sort of problem is gone now, and we came out which means we are more mature and released the negative situation from the brain.

“We lost two or three in a row and they thought they were not strong anymore, but I told them rubbish. They are good like last year.

“We missed some situations but we have to clean this idea otherwise we will not go forward and be a mature team.

“Now we win much more throw ins and corner kicks at the beginning of the game, it is not only this but you don’t lose balls and stretch too much.

“Forget we won 5-0, which is fantastic, but we improve a lot.

“You can see today they took inside themselves and sold the message to the others. They believe in what they are doing because it is the best way for them.”

4:27pm

Town manager Paolo Di Canio is speaking to the media, and was full of praise for James Collins and the rest of his side.

PAOLO DI CANIO

“In the first half it was predictable to be under pressure because they had two games in the last days, and rhythm in their legs.

“We should do better and I told my players I am very angry and very proud.

“We went out and scored five but it should be seven or eight, but they were amazing.

“At the moment when you are in trouble, if not in a defensive situation, but because there was too much space between the two lines. They had sharp players up front and it was difficult to change anything.

“All four goals were amazing, and for a typical number nine, at the moment he is the most positive change, but I was lucky and thanks to him.

“It is not an accident and it didn’t happen often in the past. The players they are crucial and they feel a very good atmosphere. They confirm I read well my players, and today was amazing.

“Simon changed it too and it is not an accident. Both players Tommy Miller and Danny were shy, but all of them are very professional but sometimes they fly away. Thanks to them because they are fantastic professionals.

“Ten goals is amazing, and if we can keep our name close to the top eight till end of the season it will be fantastic because the fans can expect more of a very good season.”

3:59pm

3:56pm

As the players leave the pitch manager Paolo Di Canio pretends to steal James Collins' match ball, before hoisting his scarf aloft to celebrate with the fans.

3:55pm

FULL-TIME: Swindon Town 5 (Collins 61, 67, 73 & 83; Hollands 69) Portsmouth 0

3:53pm

90+2 minutes: Pompey break in search of a consolation but fluff their lines as Mendez-Laing fires over.

3:50pm

James Collins was just awarded the sponsors man of the match award, I do not agree with that at all..........

Three minutes added on.

3:48pm

If you ask James very nicely he may sort you out

3:48pm

85 minutes: Collins frees Roberts, but the winger fires over. It was a great touch to get his man away there.

3:43pm

80 minutes: Adam Webster’s effort is seen wide by Foderingham.

3:41pm

78 minutes: McCormack gets over excited and fires a shot very very wide.

3:39pm

76 minutes: Williamson lashes wide for the visitors.

3:38pm

ATTENDANCE: Today's attendance - 11,381 (1,504 from Portsmouth)

3:31pm

68 minutes: Gary Roberts floats a ball across the area which Collins reaches, but his head back across goal drops onto the roof of the net. Good effort.

3:22pm

SUBSTITUTION: James Collins replaces Chris Martin.

3:20pm

MATCH ACTION

Joe Devera can't quite convert a back-post effort.

3:17pm

55 minutes: Referee Martin makes a couple of strange decisions, including penalising Danny Hollands when he looked to have won the ball. Di Canio is not happy, and he and the referee have words.

3:16pm

53 minutes: Simon Ferry sends in a couple of free-kicks, but they come to nothing.

3:15pm

MATCH ACTION

Town boss Paolo Di Canio shows his frustrations

3:12pm

49 minutes: Thompson is booked for tugging down Harris on the edge of the Town area, and Williamson clips the bar with the resulting free-kick.

3:07pm

Tommy Miller looks to be struggling after taking a knock. Being given time to run it off though.

3:06pm

SUBSTITUTION: Raffa De Vita is replaced by Gary Roberts

3:04pm

Players back out for the second half here, with Gary Roberts replacing Raffa De Vita.

3:02pm

3:02pm

The game here is the only one currently being played in League One, with the rest kicking off at 3pm.

Brentford v Bournemouth
Bury v Tranmere
Coventry v Shrewsbury
Crawley v Colchester
Crewe v Carlisle
Doncaster v Sheff Utd
Hartlepool v Preston
Notts County v MK Dons
Scunthorpe v Oldham
Walsall v Stevenage
Yeovil v Leyton Orient

2:52pm

HALF TIME THOUGHTS

Adver sports writer Andy Warren: Town just about on top I would say, but by no means at their dominating best. Paolo Di Canio's side have kept the ball a lot better than their visitors during the first 45 minutes, although Pompey have looked dangerous on the break.

The south coast side have dropped Johannes Ertl back to form a back five during most of the half, which has given the Town forwards little room to work with. When they have found a gap, the forwards have not been clinical and have allowed a handful of decent chances to come and go.

There are positives, though, and Tommy Miller has looked sharp following his return to the starting line-up, as Town enjoy the bulk of possession.

2:47pm

HALF-TIME: Swindon Town 0 Portsmouth 0

One minute is added on before the referee blows for half-time.

2:46pm

43 minutes: A Harris effort trickles through to Foderingham.

2:45pm

42 minutes: Eastwood punches a Ritchie corner clear, but after Town try to work the ball back into the box it only ends up back in the hands of the keeper.

2:42pm

38 minutes: Walker has a go from 30-yards, but there is no danger of that troubling Foderingham.

2:41pm

37 minutes: Russell gets a shot off which Wes has to tip over.

2:40pm

36 minutes: Dumbaya jinks his way past McCormack and into the box, but he decides to shoot despite his teammates waiting for the pull-back, and drills it wide.

2:38pm

34 minutes: Lee Williamson thinks he deserves a free-kick after a tackle from De Vita, but the ref says no. The midfielder then looked like he handles the ball as he placed it for the set piece he thought he had won, only serving to give away a free-kick to Town.

2:35pm

31 minutes: Darel Russell shoots from the edge of the box after a superb cross-field ball opens up the Town defence, but his effort is deflected off his own man Harris and falls kindly for Foderinham.

2:34pm

30 minutes: Martin flicks a header through for Williams, but the striker stumbles in the area as the chance comes and goes.
 

2:30pm

26 minutes: Martin and Matt Ritchie combine to free Thompson who flashes a cross across the box, where Williams superbly flicks the ball goalwards through his own legs to force Eastwood into the best save of the game so far.

2:27pm

23 minutes: Dumbaya plays a silly back pass back to his keeper Eastwood which Williams almost latches onto, and after the stopper goes flying the striker is booked. Not a good decision from the referee.

2:25pm

20 minutes: Ritchie swings one in but Martin can only head wide.

2:23pm

19 minutes: Dumbaya fires a cross into the box, which Foderingham is forced to tip over the bar. The following corner is poor and is cleared.

2:20pm

16 minutes: Williams tries a pot shot but Eastwood saves.

2:20pm

16 minutes: Walker gets a legitimate shot off this time, but Foderingham catches with ease.

2:19pm

15 minutes: A ball into the box from Jon Harley finds Harris, but he is offside.

2:15pm

11 minutes: Tommy Miller plays a beautiful disguised pass through to Chris Martin, but the loanee’s shot bobbles off a defender and harmlessly through to the keeper.

2:13pm

10 minutes: Pompey make their presence felt for the first time as Ashley Harris and Scott Allan push forward, but first Nathan Thompson and then Darren Ward get vital touches and clear.

2:10pm

The famous Pompey chimes are off and running now

2:09pm

Five minutes: Alan McCormack’s cross-field ball is superbly controlled by Williams whose first touch takes him in on goal, but he can’t finish as Eastwood saves with his legs. He does win a corner, where Devera sees his header blocked.

2:08pm

Four minutes: Andy Williams wins a corner, but De Vita’s kick is easily claimed by Eastwood.

2:05pm

One minute: Raffa De Vita has the first effort on goal of the afternoon, but sweeps the ball into the arms of Simon Eastwood.

2:01pm

And Pompey get us underway

2:00pm

Town kicking towards the Stratton Bank in the first-half this afternoon, which has some Pompey fans sitting in it.

1:57pm

And here they come, Town led out by Alan McCormack and Pompey by Johannes Ertl

1:57pm

Here we go then, football is back at the County Ground for 2013. The teams are in the tunnel

1:51pm

With under 10 minutes to go until kick-off, here's a quick reminder of how we're allowed to cover games on the Swindon Advertiser website.

Restrictions placed on journalists by Dataco mean we are unable to provide live text commentary. All in-play updates must be subjected to a three-minute delay.

If you are after up-to-the-second updates, log onto Twitter and follow chief sports writer Sam Morshead (@SamMorshead_SA).

Updates will appear on the Adver website but will be on delay.

Stick with us after the game for all the very best reaction to this afternoon's events.

1:48pm

LEAGUE ONE FIXTURES

Some big games elsewhere in League One this afternoon, with Notts County hosting MK Dons and Brentford taking on form side Bournemouth. The next few weeks are really going to shape how the table will look at the end of the season.

Brentford v Bournemouth
Bury v Tranmere
Coventry v Shrewsbury
Crawley v Colchester
Crewe v Carlisle
Doncaster v Sheff Utd
Hartlepool v Preston
Notts County v MK Dons
Scunthorpe v Oldham
Walsall v Stevenage
Yeovil v Leyton Orient

1:43pm

1:43pm

IN THE AWAY DUGOUT – GUY WHITTINGHAM

The former striker is still in caretaker charge at Fratton Park, having replaced Michael Appleton after the former Manchester United and West Brom man made the move to Blackpool.

Like Appleton, Whittingham has had to work in extremely tough conditions since taking charge, which was proved on New Year’s Eve when top scorer Izale McLeod left the club two weeks before the end of his original contract.

How long he will be in charge only time will tell, but whatever his role in Pompey’s future, he will be recognised as playing a part in stabilising the club at a difficult time.

Whittingham and Town manager Paolo Di Canio were both at Sheffield Wednesday alongside each other during the Italian’s spell at Hillsborough from 1997-99, although the Pompey boss spent a number of periods out on loan.

But his career began at Yeovil Town after he left the Army, before making the move to Pompey as a player in 1989. While at Fratton Park he made 173 league appearances, and scored 99 goals which still sees him top of the club’s goal-scoring charts.

Despite his best efforts the club missed out on promotion to the inaugural Premier League season, and after that he left the club to begin his top flight career with Aston Villa. He only made 25 appearances for the Birmingham side before moving on to Wednesday.

Another 100 appearances followed for the Owls where he played alongside Di Canio, as well as a number of loan spells with Wolves, Watford and back at Portsmouth, and a permanent return to Fratton Park saw him wind down his career.

1:34pm

CHARITY BET

It is a new year, and with that in mind Sam and Andy are making a new start and are looking to use their (questionable) football knowledge to raise money for Swindon Town Football in the Community Trust.

Today's bets are:

Sam: Swindon Town 3-0 Portsmouth, Matt Ritchie first scorer. 35/1

Andy: Swindon Town 3-1 Portsmouth, Chris Martin first scorer. 30/1

We will keep a tally of how much we win (or lose) and give the money to the trust at the end of the season.

1:27pm

YOUR SAY

1:26pm

1:22pm

DANGER MEN – The players Town need to watch

Johannes Ertl

The Austrian midfielder captains Pompey this afternoon in the absence of Brian Howard, and is a calming influence in the centre of the park. Having started his career at Sturm Graz he now has plenty of experience after spells with Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.

Lee Williamson

The former Sheffield United midfield enforcer likes to stamp his mark on games early on, and if he does he can control things from the middle of the park. He is also capable of being a box to box player, and likes to get a shot away if he can.

David Connolly

The former Wimbledon, West Ham and Southampton man only signed for the club in the last few days, and starts on the bench this afternoon. He will be short of match fitness, but if the game is tight going into the closing stages he is sure to come on and will cause Town problems.

1:14pm

Former Swindon midfielder and current Portsmouth captain Brian Howard is missing from the Pompey squad this afternoon.

Howard reportedly has a tight groin.

1:06pm

YOUR SAY

1:05pm

That's one change, as predicted, for Swindon. Tommy Miller comes back into midfield, with Simon Ferry dropping to the bench

1:00pm

Striker Paul Benson is on loan at Portsmouth from Town and is not eligable to play today, but he is out on the County Ground pitch warming up. Former Town keeper Phil Smith has also begun his warm-up, and will be on the bench this afternoon.

PAUL BENSON AND PHIL SMITH

12:58pm

Paolo Di Canio is expecting a big atmosphere at the County Ground this afternoon.

A five-figure crowd is anticipated for the visit of Portsmouth, and the Swindon manager thinks that will create excellent conditions for a quality game of football.

“It’s not a real derby but they will bring a lot of fans and that will make an even better atmosphere than a typical game – a much better level than League One in my opinion," he said.

READ MORE FROM DI CANIO BY CLICKING ON HIS FACE

“It will be a great occasion for everybody to see again our team in action and for our fans maybe to have another very good day.”

12:55pm

12:51pm

TEAM NEWS

Official sides will be named shortly, but here's a brief rundown of Town's runners and riders this afternoon.

Only Jay McEveley, who continues his recovery from a knee operation, and Miles Storey are expected to miss out.

OUT: JAY MCEVELEY

Tommy Miller could well come into the Swindon team in place of Simon Ferry, who has recently recovered from a minor knock, while Alan Navarro could be on the bench.

12:48pm

YOUR SAY

Remember, Matchday Live is not just about us spouting nonsense for five hours at a time. It’s a forum for Swindon Town fans’ views on everything going on at SN1 at present.

Whether it’s Paolo Di Canio’s team selection or lukewarm coffee in the Don Rogers, we want to hear from you.

And there are plenty of ways to get involved over the course of the evening – all of which are conveniently listed below.

l Twitter – if you’re Tweet-friendly then use the hashtag #stfcadver to have your say, and follow chief sports writer Sam Morshead (@SamMorshead_SA) throughout the game for up-to-the-second commentary.

l Comment – the box below is ready for use. If the comments are sensible and clean then they may well find themselves inserted into the live blog later in the evening.

l Email – you can always pop us an email, just send your ramblings across to smorshead@swindonadvertiser.co.uk.

Get involved!

12:45pm

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the first Matchday Live of 2013, as Portsmouth visit Swindon Town.

It seems like an eternity since Town last played but that 5-0 spanking of Tranmere is only 11 days ago and the Robins should be fresh for the visit of the south coast strugglers.

If Swindon can retain the class and intensity that saw them totally dominate the league leaders, the home crowd should be in for a New Year’s Day treat.

Stay with us throughout the day for continuous coverage as Town bid to pick up 2013 where they left off in 2012.

Happy New Year everyone.