ATTENDANCE progression is Richie Wellens’ long-term aim during his time at Swindon Town, following Saturday’s convincing three-goal win at the Energy Check County Ground against Colchester United.

Loan signings Canice Carroll, Luke Woolfenden and Kyle Bennett were all on target for Town as they positioned themselves four points short of the play-off frame – boosting the current feel-good factor around SN1.

Close to 6,000 Town fans attended the club’s latest fixture, and Wellens hopes his pressing and counter-attacking philosophies can help grow attendances in years to come.

Saturday’s game wasn’t without its grumbles, but they were quickly quashed when Woolfenden registered Town’s second goal in as many minutes to hand the hosts a two-goal half time lead.

Wellens said: “The only thing that frustrated me was - four or five minutes before we scored our first goal – Theo Robinson had a shot from 30 yards that went over the bar.

“The fans then start signing ‘we’ve had a shot, we’ve had a shot’. I don’t like that, because the players can hear it.

“It won’t impact my confidence, but it might to the players. Luckily, we scored a few minutes after.

“Things are starting to change here. The feel-good factor is coming back. I want us to take small steps to turn attendance numbers from 6,000 into 7,000 and then 8,000.”

Ironically, Wellens himself admitted to the odd voice of frustration – specifically after Woolfenden opted to pass the ball back into Town’s half amid a potential counter attack following the hosts’ first goal.

Fans – and Wellens – were quickly left with egg on their face, though, as a smart switch of play enabled James Dunne to set Town’s second goal up on a plate for Woolfenden.

Wellens laughed: “I was one of them that groaned.

“But the ball went back to Dion (Conroy) before the diagonal ball to Kyle (Bennett).

“When you play straight – I don’t understand why – but the ball just runs out of play.

“We tried to keep our shape so Colchester could only play straight balls.”