SWINDON Town lead Cirencester Town 2-0 at half time in the two sides' pre-season friendly at the Corinium Stadium this evening.

Matt Ritchie gave Town the lead on 34 minutes, heading in from two yards out after good work on the left flank by Raffaele De Vita, Michael Timlin and Callum Kennedy.

Six minutes later the hosts were the victims of a cruel piece of luck, as Kennedy's free kick bounced off Neil Arndale and Danny Greaves before settling in the back of the net.

Aside from that, only De Vita seriously tested Ciren stopper Greaves with a back-post header which the home keeper tipped over.

And the half was soured somewhat from a Swindon perspective when Etienne Esajas was stretchered off with what looked like a shoulder injury on the half-hour.

Here are the key moments from this evening's first half:

Four mins: Gritty start from both sides, and a few hefty challenges earl doors. Referee Mr Busby has to don a yellow bib after starting the game in the same black as Town.

Talk about referees being a team's 12th man, that's taking it a step to far.

10 mins: Heavy tackle on Matt Ritchie wide on the left sees the winger on the floor. But he picks himself up quickly for the free kick.

12 mins: A lovely chipped pass from Ritchie has Etienna Esajas steaming into the area on the left hand side. The Dutchman cuts inside his marker, freeing up acres of space to take aim, but he can only drag his shot wide of the near post.

13 mins: Michael Timlin's first-time effort from the edge of the box takes a deflection off the heels of Esajas which has Danny Greaves scrambling in the Ciren goal, but it bounces just wide.

16 mins: Neil Arndale's looping, aimless header falls to Rafaelle De Vita six yards out, but on the volley the former Livingston man can't get any power on his effort and it dribbles into the arms of Greaves.

19 mins: A good save from Greaves denies De Vita at the back post after Callum Kennedy's corner evades the Ciren defence.

20 mins: Ritchie's half-volley is neatly blocked by Arndale en route to the bottom corner. Esajas is really trying his luck now, seeing two attempts from outside the box stopped by defenders before they can trouble Greaves.

27 mins: Esajas goes down awkwardly into a challenge and is in obvious pain. Stretcher is on, as well as physio Kate Cady – not good for the man who only completed his permanent deal at Town a matter of hours ago.

32 mins: First chance of any note for Ciren, as Arndale's centre picks out the forehead of James Mortimer-Jones, but the midfielder sends his header wide of the mark.

34 mins: GOAL (0-1, Ritchie) You can't say it hasn't been coming, and Town are finally ahead.

Kennedy and Timlin exchange neat passes in a tight situation on the left flank, and eventually Timlin slides in De Vita who charges into the area.

The striker takes the ball to the bye-line before centring for Ritchie, who cannot miss his header from a matter of centimetres. And he doesn't.

40 mins: GOAL (0-2, Greaves own goal) Bit of an unfortunate moment for Greaves, who has been pretty immense in the opening period.

Kennedy swings in a savage free kick from the right, it strikes Arndale on the line, ricochets off Greaves and into the back of the net. Pinball at its very, very best.

SWINDON TOWN: (4-4-2) Phil Smith; Paul Caddis, Joe Devera, Alberto Comazzi, Callum Kennedy; Matt Richie, Michael Timlin, Jonathan Smith, Etienne Esajas (Alan McCormack, 30); Alan Connell, Rafaelle De Vita.

Subs: Leigh Bedwell, Kevin Amankwaah, Nathan Thompson, Aden Flint, Ibrahim Atiku, Simon Ferry, Mehdi Kerrouche, Billy Bodin

CIRENCESTER TOWN: (4-4-2) Danny Greaves, Neil Arndale, Richard Mansell, Zak Westlake, Ellis Dunton, Matt Sysum, Tom Etheridge, James Mortimer-Jones, Jody Bevan, David Stone, Jamie Reid

Subs: Andy Gunn, Sean Wood, Mike Tamblin, Adam Mayo, Paul Banks