Swindon Town lose 1-0 to Weymouth in pre-season friendly

Former Chippenham Town attacker Bradley Ash netted the game’s only goal midway through the second half as Swindon struggled to dominate their National League opposition following an encouraging first 45.

The friendly, which also coincided as head coach Ben Garner’s first chance to show Swindon fans how their team will play this season, saw plenty of good football but often a lack of composure in front of goal.

Garner now has just one more fixture remaining before leading his team into the start of the League Two season.

Town began the game with some fine, free-flowing football that resulted in the first shot on target of the game from Jack Payne in the third minute.

Payne shot straight at the Weymouth stopper from the edge of the box though after cutting back onto his left.

A strong first 15 minutes then saw Town put together another slick move after spending a bit of time in possession. Good link-up play between trialist Harry McKirdy, Payne, and Harry Parsons resulted in the latter spinning on the edge of the box before smashing his shot narrowly wide.

The positive start was somewhat tainted as Jordan Lyden was forced off injured in the 16th minute.

Midway through the first half, Parsons received a long ball forward from Ellis Iandolo, and held the ball up really well before laying off to McKirdy. The Town attacker shot right-footed from the D but Ross Fitzsimmons got down well to his right to stop it.

A series of off-target efforts from both sides littered the remainder of the first half, but with 10 minutes to play, Town really should have opened the scoring. Iandolo was found out on the left and played a low ball into the middle towards three Swindon attackers.

A trialist left it for McKirdy, but McKirdy wasn't expecting his teammate to leave it and the chance fizzled out with the goal gaping.

The second half took a while to get going as Garner’s side lost rhythm following a series of substitutions. And midway through the second period, Weymouth punished that lack of intensity via the game’s only goal as former Chippenham Town striker Ash was on hand to scramble a scrappy move over the line from close range.

Town failed to deal with the initial ball in, and the rest was extremely untidy as Ash pounced to knock the ball in off the post. Substitute trialist goalkeeper Lewis Ward did his best to keep it out, but the linesman flagged to signal the goal.

Swindon were largely on the back foot for the remainder but had one half-chance with seconds remaining to salvage a draw.

With Town's trialist striker was through on goal down the left side of the box, but a superb tackle from a Weymouth defender whipped the ball off his toes as the number nine pulled his right boot back to shoot.