ONLOOKERS at Swindon Town’s third pre-season friendly against West Brom have every reason to be optimistic after Phil Brown’s first-team recorded a 1-1 draw at the County Ground this afternoon.

Today’s game has been split into two halves of 60 minutes, allowing Phil Brown and Darren Moore to get more than 45 minutes of competitive game time into their players’ legs.

The first half saw both teams field their first team players, with the second 60-minute stint playing host to younger players of both clubs.

Swindon, playing their third pre-season game following ties at Cirencester and Melksham, made a promising start when Keshi Anderson and Steven Alzate linked up well to force a corner in the opening minute.

Two further corners followed, and Phil Brown’s side should’ve took an early lead when new recruit Elijah Adebayo was presented with the ball eight-yards out. Adebayo scuffed his effort though as West Brom comfortable cleared their lines.

Town’s positive start continued when Alzate and Anderson again linked up to carve out the home side’s second chance, this time Anderson dragging a shot from just outside the 18-yard box wide of Alex Palmer’s goal.

Chris Robertson then met Town’s fourth corner inside the opening 12 minutes but put his effort high before Chris Brunt hit West Bromwich Albion’s first effort, which ended up drifting wide of Lawrence Vigouroux’s right post.

Vigouroux had to make his first save when Jack Fitzwater’s well timed pass found an unmarked Kyle Edwards on the penalty spot. Edwards’ accurate shot was tipped wide by Vigouroux as Town dealt with the subsequent corner comfortably.

West Brom started displaying signs of growing into the game, though. And they were rewarded on the half-hour mark as Jay Rodriguez tapped home from close range following a cross from the right to put the visitors ahead.

The visitors’ goal prompted the first drinks break before West Brom bizarrely resumed play despite taking the lead themselves.

Swindon created the first meaningful chance of the second half when Ellis Iandolo’s free kick from a dangerous position on the right was met by the head of Chris Robertson, who put his effort wide.

Adebayo was then presented with the ball in similar fashion to his fumbled effort from earlier in the half. This time the new Town recruit connected, but West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer was equal to it – making a relatively comfortable save.

Swindon then equalised through Adebayo who snatched a deserved goal following an accurate cross from player-coach Matt Taylor.

Taylor’s run was initiated by an accurate ball from Vigouroux. Taylor overlapped his marker after playing a one-two before delivering a cross-goal ball, which Adebayo comfortably tapped home from close range.

West Brom continued to be frustrated by Town’s five men in midfield as Keshi Anderson won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area with eight minutes left in the first half.

Winger Matt Taylor stepped up to take the free kick, but his effort was hit straight at visiting goalkeeper Alex Palmer.

A subdued concluding five minutes saw Town control the ball well with Keshi Anderson again going close.

Town first half XI: Vigouroux, Knoyle, Taylor, Smith, Robertson, Romanski, McGlashan, Alzate, Adebayo, Iandolo, Anderson.

Follow coverage of the second half on @AdverSport.