	Date added: 18 July 2008

Swindon Town 1 Portsmouth 3

Malpas delighted despite result as Town test FA Cup winners

Pre-season friendly

RESULT: Swindon Town 1 Portsmouth 3

Town scorer: Cox (pen) 9

Portsmouth scorers: Hreidarsson 37, Defoe (pen) 42, Supotic 90+1

Four goals in four games:

Simon Cox scores against Portsmouth

The buzz of pre-season optimism continues at the County Ground despite this defeat, according to Town manager Maurice Malpas.

The Swindon boss saw his side lose tonight to a Premiership side full of multi-million pound talent, but still declared himself 'delighted' with the performance.

"That was another very good test for us because they fielded a strong team. And you could say we had the better of the play at times," Malpas commented.

"Importantly we looked sharp and fit out there," Malpas commented, "and that for me was very important.

"I'm very pleased with were we are at the moment."

Striker Simon Cox and winger Anthony McNamee the undoubted stars of the show; Cox scoring his fourth in four games as Town took the lead as early as the ninth minute.

Opening goal:

David James finds the floor after Cox's first goal

Former England defender Sol Campbell dragging the in-form striker down in the penalty box during Town's first real attack of the evening, before Cox himself slotted past David James from the spot.

James then made a spectacular save to deny Swindon a 2-0 lead before Portsmouth eventually took control of the game just before half-time.

First Hreidarsson levelled with a cool finish on 37 minutes, followed quickly by Jermaine Defoe, who made it 2-1 from the spot following a foul on OJ Komora by Peter Brezovan.

Changes

As expected, various changes at half-time - the most obvious being the addition of 6' 7" Peter Crouch up front for Portsmouth - meant both managers took the opportunity to give all their key players a run out.

peter crouch playing for portsmouth against Swindon Town FC

Crouch's debut:

Peter Crouch gets his run out in the
second-half against Swindon Town

The competitive edge to the match clearly evident, with first Crouch, then substitute Traore, noticably surprised at Town's eagerness in the tackle and confidence in taking the game to their more illustrious guests.

Open play that led to a second-half full of opportunities at both ends, where Swindon could - and should have - equalised.

Both Billy Paynter and Cox, again, going close, much to the home supporters' delight. And McNamee always a handful on the left wing.

But ultimately, it was the visitors who wrapped things up in injury time when late substitute Danijel Supotic made it 3-1 just before the final whistle.

NEXT GAME: Cardiff (H)

Pre-season friendly

Tuesday 29 July 2008

Plymouth (H)

Pre-season friendly

Monday 04 August 2008