'Moment you get into football for': Wood on dramatic Swindon Women win

Swindon Town Women manager Richard Wood said it was the kind of night you get into football for after their dramatic 4-3 win over Abingdon United.

Despite a fairly frantic first half, Town were in control at the break after Taylor Macdonald whipped a stunning free-kick into the top corner, Annie Colston fired home, and Jess Graham also found the net, with Erin Hartigan pulling one back for the visitors.

Swindon took more control of the ball in the second half but Abingdon got back into the game with a stunning volley from Olivia Smith and Molly Lygo turning home from a corner.

But then with a victory looking like it had slipped through their fingers, in the last minute of the 90 substitute Libby Waylen was on hand to net the winner at the far post.

Speaking after the game, Wood said that despite having holes to pick in the performance, the moment of the goal going in at The Nigel Eady County Ground was truly special.

He said: “It felt like a proper evening game, the pitch was amazing considering the weather and then to get a good crowd and atmosphere.

“I think they would have enjoyed the excitement of the game, for me as a manager the games you enjoy the most are when you are in complete control.

“So it was difficult for me to really enjoy the crowd but they were really into it and supported us right until the end and will have played a part in getting us over the line.

“Playing football in that way and getting a winner when it is not just you as a group that are pleased, I have played grassroots football when it is just you but to have everyone here was great.

“You are sharing that moment with people and that is why I do football because you get to share great experiences and moments with other people.”

Waylen was the hero off the bench having been an unused substitute at Worthing at the weekend and she was thrilled to get that moment.

She said: “No, it doesn’t get better than that, I haven’t had many minutes yet and to come and score the winner was all I needed to prove a point.

“We have been winning so far and then it hit a bit today and we didn’t know what to do when we conceded but we are a team that always comes together.

“My dad was in the crowd and he was very proud and he put it in the family group chat straight away.

“I think that goal could mean a lot [this season], getting the three points instead of a draw could be the difference later on.”

Macdonald added: “In our team, the togetherness is unbelievable and we can stick it out, we can not play our best and still come together and get the three points.

“The fans here make it because they drive you to want to score the big goals because you know they will scream the roof off.”