Wembley glee for PDC (From Swindon Advertiser)

SWINDON TOWN: Wembley glee for PDC

6:00am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Local By Gary Rose

PAOLO Di Canio has made his Wembley dream come true after Swindon Town secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Barnet at the County Ground last night to win 2-1 on aggregate and progress to the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Having missed out on a trip to England’s national stadium as a player, Di Canio spoke of his determination to take Swindon all the way in the competition right from the outset.

A draw at Underhill had the tie finely balanced heading into last night but Alan Connell put Swindon’s noses in front with a smart headed goal in the 17th minute.

The home side dominated throughout but there was always the fear that they could be hit by a Barnet break at any moment.

However, a nervy final 10 minutes was alleviated when Charlie Taylor was sent off for the visitors four minutes before the end, and Town successfully closed out the game to seal a deserved victory, prompting wild celebrations on the pitch by scores of Town fans who had braved the cold for the match.

With Luke Rooney and Billy Bodin ineligible having previously played in the competition for Gillingham and Torquay, Di Canio fielded the strongest side available to him with Raffa De Vita on the left wing and Connell in attack.

Also returning to the starting line-up was Simon Ferry. The Scot had been on the bench in the 4-1 win at Southend last time out after taking a knock in the FA Cup defeat to Leicester, but he was back in the side last night alongside Jonathan Smith in midfield.

Cheered on by a large and expectant crowed from the outset, Town started well as a De Vita cross was just beyond Matt Ritchie before the winger had a powerful effort blocked from just inside the area.

The home side had a very good shout for a penalty turned down in the 10th minute when Connell tumbled under a challenge inside the area, but referee Darren Deadman waved away the appeals.

It mattered not, though, as Swindon were ahead seven minutes later.

Paul Caddis received the ball on the right and whipped a superb cross into the area where Connell was left completely unmarked and the striker directed a header away from keeper Dean Brill and into the net.

Town continued to have the better chances as Paul Benson just failed to get his foot to a Caddis’ ball across the face of goal before Callum Kennedy curled a free kick wide of the left upright.

Connell was clearly brimming with confidence after his goal and he almost set up a second goal for Town just after the half hour, when he laid the ball into the path of Ritchie but the midfielder low drive was saved by Brill.

Barnet enjoyed a spell of possession as half time approached but failed to really do much with the ball in the final third, and instead it was Town who came closest to scoring again just before the break, as a fine pass from Ritchie sent De Vita through on the left, but the winger’s shot was denied by Brill.

The visitors had the first effort on goal in the second half when Sam Deering’s shot from distance in the 49th needed a diving save from Foderingham to deny the midfielder.

Town had a good a chance six minutes later when Smith’s smart through ball released Caddis but the Scot’s shot was too close to Brill and ultimately it was an easy save for the Barnet keeper.

Oliver Risser was introduced for the tiring Ferry just before the hour and the Namibian was quick to make an impression when he had a goalbound shot blocked inside the area by a Barnet defender.

The game was far from over as a contest, but Town were still enjoying the better of the chances as Ritchie smashed an unstoppable 70th minute volley just wide of the upright.

From then on the game descended into a scrappy affair, with both sides keen not to make a mistake and give away possession in a crucial position.

But there was to be some late drama as Barnet were reduced to 10 men in the 86th minute when Taylor was sent off after clashing with Risser.

From then the result never looked in doubt as Swindon successfully closed out the game to set up a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final with Chesterfield next month.