MATCHDAY LIVE: Oxford United v Swindon Town (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

11:02pm

ADVERTISER CHIEF SPORTS WRITER SAM MORSHEAD: Well, not a happy day to be a Robin.

Three games, three defeats against Oxford in the Paolo Di Canio era. Hard to explain this one. Swindon weren't awful but they lacked creativity, Oxford weren't great but they knew how to stifle their guests.

All in all not one for the purists, or those of a red persuasion.

It's been a bad few days in Town-land. Let's hope the visit of Leyton Orient sparks a return to winning ways.

11:01pm

Town boss Paolo Di Canio believes his side did enough to win the game and is hurt by the defeat, but was pleased with how his new signings slotted into the side.

“The only team who wanted to win, even if we made an average performance, was Swindon" he said.

“What can we say? One silly mistake cost us the match, and in terms of the performance I saw good things about the defence, especially Fedi (Federico Bessone) and Darren (Ward) played good in the centre of defence.

“Giles (Coke) played okay, but he has to learn we want to play at a much higher tempo, because he wants to drop.

“This is a part of my job to let him understand, and Rooney played in a wide area which is not his position.

“When I moved him to second striker he did some good things.

“In general the performance was not the perfect one, but we should have won the game.

“I was a fan when I was young and I understand the feeling in this game, so it is not about my managerial career, it is about giving some satisfaction to the fans and being a part of the situations.”

10:59pm

10:58pm

YOUR SAY

Love that philosophy. Let's hope you're right!

10:51pm

10:47pm

Andy Williams also spoke about his own personal lack of goals this season.

The striker has yet to get off the mark in a Swindon shirt...

“I only scored three goals by Christmas last season and I ended up with 17. I’m not really worried about it. I’ll keep working hard.

“If I don’t score at the weekend and we win I’m not going to be too bothered to be honest.  As long as we’re winning it doesn’t matter.

“But from my point of view, as a striker, if the team’s not score and I’ve not scored it’s not great.

“Before tonight the lads wanted to get to Wembley and hopefully go one step further and win it this year. That’s not going to be the case now so it gives us one less competition and more focus now on the league."

10:37pm

Andy Williams spoke to the media after the game tonight.

Here is what he had to say...

“The lads have done well all game and we haven’t given them a sniff. It’s just a lumped ball forward really and it’s created a chance for them and the lad’s taken it well. It’s just disappointing really.

“We wanted to progress in this competition, we wanted to do well and especially we wanted to beat our local rivals and we haven’t done any of the above so it’s disappointing – particularly after Preston.”

9:44pm

REACTION

Stay with us on Matchday Live for all the reaction from tonight's game, and remember to leave your comments in the box below or tweet using #stfcadver.

9:40pm

FULL TIME: Oxford United 1 Swindon Town 0

A goal from Alfie Potter with two minutes left has won the game for the home side.

9:38pm

The visitors are looking to slow the game up at every opportunity here. Two minutes left of added time.

9:35pm

GOAL 1-0 OXFORD (Potter 88) : The home side break down the left hand side through Constable after Flint and Ward get in each other's way, and the former Town target squares the ball for Potter who finishes well.

9:32pm

84 minutes: De Vita sends in a free-kick after he was brought down by Damian Batt, and Flint takes a tumble but is adjudged to have foulded his man.

9:28pm

80 minutes: Flint replaces Coke, with skipper McCormack going into midfield.

9:25pm

Town are having much more of the ball than their opposition now, and are stretching them whenever possible. Miller has added a sense of calm to the midfield, while Bostock has added a creative spark in the final third.

9:24pm

75 minutes: Coke fires a tame effort wide from the edge of the area.

9:22pm

74 minutes: Forster-Caskey fires in a free-kick which Foderingham has to watch well before palming over the bar.

9:20pm

73 minutes: Bostock comes off his wing but shoots straight at Clarke in the Oxford goal.

9:19pm

71 minutes: A combination of McCormack and Miller stops James Constable as he runs towards the Town area. Play quikcly moves down the other end, where Bostock fires a shot wide.

9:13pm

SWINDON SUBS: Tommy Miller and John Bostock replace Simon Ferry and Paul Benson (66).

9:12pm

63 minutes: Williams runs into the area from inside his own half, but gets the ball stuck under his feet and loses control. Rooney follows up but his shot is blocked.

9:09pm

62 minutes: Alan McCormack sends in a free-kick which beat everyone and goes out for a throw.

9:05pm

57 minutes: Darren Ward gives the ball away, but after a good break from Alfie Potter, Jon-Paul Pitman can only fire wide.

9:03pm

55 minutes: A foul throw from Joe Devera brings a Town attack to an end.

8:58pm

OXFORD SUB: Alfie Potter on for Boateng.

8:57pm

50 minutes: Coke fires his free-kick against the wall after he was brought down by former Town loanee Daniel Boateng, who was booked.

8:57pm

Another flare has gone off in the area between the two sets of fans, and there is trouble at the back of the stand amongst Oxford fans.

8:56pm

49 minutes: Raynes gets himself on the ending of a free-kick, but his header loops into the hands of Foderingham.

8:50pm

Off again at the start of the second half

8:49pm

Right then, we're getting under way again at the Kassam Stadium so here's a quick reminder of how we can cover Swindon Town games on the Advertiser website...

Restrictions placed on us mean that our updates have to be subject to a three-minute delay online.

If you are after up-to-the-second updates, log on to Twitter and follow Sam via @SamMorshead_SA.

Updates will appear on here but on delay.

Hope that all makes sense.

8:48pm

Swindon have re-emerged for the start of the second half.

Remember we'll go straight to penalties tonight if the game finishes all-square after 90 minutes.

8:48pm

ADVER SPORTS WRITER ANDY WARREN: Bessone really has been superb on his Town debut, particularly in defence as he got back well on a number of occasions to thwart Oxford attacks. Darren Ward has been solid in the middle alongside Alan McCormack, as you would expect from a man who has played as many games as he has. Rooney has been quiet down the right, while Giles Coke has had a couple of chances to score on his first appearance for Town.

8:40pm

ADVERTISER CHIEF SPORTS WRITER SAM MORSHEAD: It's been a funny old first half, where quality has been lacking a little but chances still appearing here and there.

Coke, Rooney and Ward with the best of the sights of goal for Swindon, who have dealt well with Oxford's physicality.

Foderingham has not yet been called into a major save but he has dominated his box when called on.

Bessone has enjoyed an excellent start to life as a Robin and looks a good acquisition.

8:38pm

YOUR SAY

Remember to tweet, email, or leave your thoughts on the first half in the comment box below.

Tweet using #stfcadver or email smorshead@swindonadvertiser.co.uk to have your say.

8:37pm

YOUR SAY

Teams are down a little bit on the timeline, have a scroll down.

8:34pm

Half-time here, 0-0 at the break.

8:30pm

43 minutes: Williams escapes down the left and is fouled by Michael Raynes, earning the defender a yellow card. The free-kick is cleared, but Simon Ferry fires in a volley which is deflected behind.

8:28pm

40 minutes: Ward is adjudged to have fouled James Constable on the edge of the box, and from the free-kick which follows Adam Chapman fires over.

8:25pm

38 minutes: Giles Coke fires in shot which is well blocked by Michael Raynes.

8:21pm

The Oxford fans have let off a yellow flare between them and the Town supporters with an almighty BANG!!!!

8:21pm

33 minutes: Bessone gets back to put in a superb challenge on Jon-Paul Pitman as the home side break.

8:20pm

32 minutes: De Vita fires in a vicious shot which knocks Jake Wright clean off his feet before going behind for a corner, which is cleared.

8:17pm

29 minutes: Devera sends a deep cross across the box, which is headed back by De Vita into the path of Rooney, but the Irishman fires his shot high over the bar.

8:12pm

25 minutes: A good ball down the right from Adam Rooney frees Andy Williams, and when the striker is hauled down on the edge of the box the visitors have a chance in a good position. The free-kick is flighted in, but Ward can only head over.

8:10pm

23 minutes: Paul Benson slides in on home keeper Ryan Clarke in an attempt to get the ball, and injures him in the process, but the referee says the challenge was fair.

8:07pm

20 minutes: Raffa De Vita wriggles inside his man on the left of the area and eventually fires in a shot which appears to be deflected behind, but the referee gives a goal kick.

8:05pm

18 minutes: Foderingham palms away an Oxford corner in his six yard box, before the ball is eventually cleared.

8:00pm

ADVER SPORTS WRITER ANDY WARREN: Of the new players making their debuts this evening, Federico Bessone has stood out most as he has done everything required of him at the back, and has got forwards well.

It has been an even contest so far with neither goalkeeper being really tested, and most of the play being in midfield.

7:58pm

11 minutes: Tom Craddock finds himself in space down the left and slips the ball inside for Forster-Caskey who can’t quite get the ball under control, before James Constable fires a shot that spins harmlessly away.

7:54pm

Seven minutes: Giles Coke has Town’s first effort on goal as he finds himself free in the area after a one-two with Paul Benson, but fires well over.

7:54pm

Six minutes: Jake Forster-Caskey fires in the game's first shot, but it is very very high, and very very wide.

7:49pm

Two minutes: Federico Bessone makes a superb first contribution in a Town shirt as he heads back to Foderingham before bursting off down field to collect the keeper’s throw.

7:48pm

One minute: Town are awarded an early free kick, which Alan McCormack sends into the box before Darren Ward is caught offside.

7:44pm

Town get us underway

7:41pm

Right then, with just under five minutes until kick-off here at the Kassam Stadium here's a quick reminder of how we can cover Swindon Town games on the Advertiser website...

Restrictions placed on us mean that our updates have to be subject to a three-minute delay online.

If you are after up-to-the-second updates, log on to Twitter and follow Sam via @SamMorshead_SA.

Updates will appear on here but on delay.

Hope that all makes sense.

7:41pm

Here come the teams!!!!

7:40pm

Five minutes until kick-off, and the crowd of Oxford fans have stopped baiting the Town fans from the Car Park End in order to take their seats, the guard of honour is in place, and the atmosphere is hotting up.

7:37pm

ADVER SPORTS WRITER ANDY WARREN : Derby day is exciting whoever you support, and even though I am more used to 'hating' a different team in yellow, I have been looking forward to tonight's game ever since the draw was made.

Tonight is the ideal chance for Town to put the events of the last few days behind them with a big win at their local rivals, and I fully expect them to do so.

It will be good to see four debuts this evening for Darren Ward, Federico Bessone, Giles Coke and Adam Rooney, and I will be particular interested to see how the latter works alongside strikers Paul Benson and Andy Williams.

7:36pm

Giles Coke makes his debut for Swindon Town after signing on loan from Sheffield Wednesday last week at the Kassam Stadium tonight.

GILES COKE, RIGHT

He met the local media yesterday, and said:

This is a tense one for the Swindon and the Oxford fans, and I would love to play in it and I am up for it. I am fit and ready, but I have not played as many games as I would have liked by this point, and I want to play.

Looks like Giles got his wish - let's hope he has a happy debut for the Robins!

7:30pm

YOUR SAY

For a competition derided by many, Paolo Di Canio certainly takes the JPT seriously!

7:26pm

Oxford boss Chris Wilder has been heavily linked with the managerial position at Coventry City, meaning tonight's game could well be his last in charge of the Us.

CHRIS WILDER

“Whatever team we put out will be up against it because they’ve signed quality players from Championship clubs,” he said.

“It’s a tough one for us but in a local derby it goes out the window.

“It did last year when we had two fabulous performances and results.

“It won’t be a case that we’ll be up for this more because we’re up for every game, but it’s a local derby so you can’t hide away from that.”

7:25pm

7:22pm

Paul Benson spoke to the Advertiser recently about his return from a knee injury.

 Benson returns to the starting XI tonight.

It is great to be back, because the injury I had was one of those ones where I could have been out for a lot longer had I tried to carry on and play on it.We managed to sort it early and I have had a good amount of physio on it now, so hopefully now it will not bother me anymore

Paul Benson, quoted in today's Adver

7:17pm

YOUR SAY

There's 30 minutes to go until kick-off at the Kassam Stadium, and that can only mean one thing...

It's prediction time!

Comment below with your full-time score prophecies...

7:13pm

Speaking to the media on Monday, Paolo Di Canio made a plea for calm in the crowd during tonight's game.

Here is what he said...

Behave well and stay there, enjoy the moment, the passion because it is a different game. You can joke with each other, blame the colours because this is typical, send some funny message. I know because I used to do the same. Afterwards, what happens later, there is nothing to do –nothing to do. I know the anger in the rivalry can sometimes go over in the crowd with the honour you have for your colour but it’s not good. I don’t want to invite to say bad words but it is normal, sometimes someone has to put their anger out otherwise you are perfect and then one day you’re going to become a killer. Behave with your opponent in the right way, joke with them but at the end we celebrate, joke like they did last year. They go sad back home, I hope this, and then we’ll see what’s going on.

7:08pm

Oxford skipper Jake Wright knows exactly what tonight's game means to both sides despite hailing from Yorkshire.

JAKE WRIGHT

"I'll be honest with you, the Swindon against Oxford rivalry was something I kind of knew about but I hadn't dreamt how long it was until I joined Oxford.

"All last summer whenever I met the fans they told me how much they were looking forward to the first derbies in 10 years.

"The build up to both games was very tense, and when we got to the grounds you could feel the tension and excitement even as you walked up to the gates.

"The two matches last year were unbelievable and I have never played in such passionate emotional games.

"To get two wins was fantastic, and I don't think anyone in yellow will ever forget them."

7:06pm

YOUR SAY

Absolutely!

7:05pm

The rest of the Town team have taken to the pitch at the Kassam Stadium for their warm-up - big noise from the travelling Robins fans to greet their arrival.

7:03pm

YOUR SAY

Johnny Rayner has been on the email to give his tuppence-worth ahead of this evening's match.

The most important thing tonight is being able to bounce straight back from sundays dissapointing result , just so happens were playing oxford , i'm banking on our boys giving em a good stuffing tonight. COYR !

7:01pm

Wes Foderingham has been greeted with a wild round of applause as he takes to the pitch at the Kassam Stadium for his warm-up with Domenico Duardo.

Everyone very happy the events of Sunday have been quickly forgiven and forgotten.

6:59pm

ADVERTISER CHIEF SPORTS WRITER SAM MORSHEAD: Four debutants today for the Robins, with Darren Ward, Federico Bessone, Adam Rooney and Giles Coke all in the starting XI.

It will be interesting to see how they all fit together against Oxford tonight but there's plenty of pace to burn in Rooney, experience in Ward and Bessone and an electric talent in Coke.

6:57pm

Former Town caretaker manager Dave Byrne is in attendance this evening

DAVE BYRNE

6:55pm

TEAM NEWS

OXFORD UNITED v Swindon Town: Ryan Clarke, Damian Batt, Michael Raynes, Jake Wright, Tony Capaldi, Daniel Boateng,Adam Chapman, Jake Forster-Caskey, Jon-Paul Pittman, James Constable, Tom Craddock

Substitutes: Sean McGinty, Alfie Potter, Wayne Brown, Tyrone Marsh, David Lynn

6:54pm

TEAM NEWS

SWINDON TOWN v Oxford United: Wes Foderingham; Joe Devera, Alan McCormack, Darren Ward, Federico Bessone; Adam Rooney, Simon Ferry, Giles Coke, Raffa De Vita; Paul Benson, Andy Williams

Substitutes: Tommy Miller, Aden Flint, Nathan Thompson, Miles Storey, John Bostock

6:52pm

Town keeper Wes Foderingham starts for Town tonight after being replaced early on in Sunday's defeat at Preston.

TOWN KEEPER WES FODERINGHAM

6:45pm

Former Town target James Constable will be the home side's most potent goal threat this evening, and will be hoping for a better time of things against Swindon having been sent off in the two sides' game at the Kassam in March.

OXFORD STRIKER JAMES CONSTABLE

The Malmesbury-born striker is still waiting for his first goal this season, and would love nothing more than to get off the mark tonight.

"I would have loved to have got off the mark by now, of course. But we have had a few difficult games and I am delighted for Tom (Craddock) Deano (Deane Smalley) and Alfie (Potter) that they've been among the goals.

"It is nice to be winning games, no matter who is scoring.

"We are all looking forward to the Swindon game. In terms of games we have played against them last season and how we went about it, we played really well.

"Obviously there is the big rivalry, but really it is just another game. The players are all down to earth about it but we want to win every game and that is no different when it is against Swindon.

"Swindon are obviously going to be a tough proposition, and I've seen highlights of their win over Stoke in the Capital One Cup and they did well.

"They have brought in a few new players from last season so we know it will not be easy.

"The sending off was obviously disappointing but incidents like that don't change my frame of mind, and I will continue to go out onto the pitch and get stuck in."

6:44pm

YOUR SAY

Let's hope so!

6:43pm

The first chants of 'Red Army' are drifting across the Kassam Stadium pitch, through the gap in one end of the stadium created by an absent stand.

Plenty of segregation in the away stand tonight. Police on the look-out for troublemakers early on.

6:41pm

ADVERTISER CHIEF SPORTS WRITER SAM MORSHEAD: It's been a long, long time since I had the pleasure (right word?) of going to an A420 derby, in fact it's been over a decade.

On that day, Steve "Turbo" Robinson netted twice at the Manor Ground in a 2-0 win. Who's predicting that sort of result again tonight?

SAM MORSHEAD

I was only 13 back then, and still forming an association with the club. Today, I'm here in a reporting capacity so I'll have to keep the bias somewhat diluted.

But it really is a special occasion for fans, players, management, press and all involved at each club.

Let's hope for fireworks on the pitch and calm off it. Enjoy everyone - I certainly will.

6:36pm

Win, lose or draw – anything can happen –but in terms of professional commitment I really am sure they are going to make a very good performance. I told my players that for me and for everybody, even though the six points Oxford got from us last year was enough for them to reach nothing, I don’t like to give this kind of charity.  

Paolo Di Canio, speaking in this morning's Swindon Advertiser   

6:31pm

YOUR SAY

Let's keep the confidence coming all - big night for many reasons tonight!

6:30pm

YOUR SAY

Don't forget we always want to hear your opinions of what's going on at the County Ground on matchday and beyond.

There are several ways to get in touch with the 'Matchday Live' team throughout the evening, and they're all listed conveniently below...

l Twitter - if you're Tweet-happy, then use the hashtag #stfcadver to get in touch.

l Comment - the comment box below is the perfect place for you to air your views.

l Email - if you fancy sending an email  over, by all means do. The address is smorshead@swindonadvertiser.co.uk .

We look forward to all you opinions over the course of the next five hours!

6:28pm

Matt Ritchie, Tommy Miller, Aden Flint, Alan McCormack, Nathan Thompson and Federico Bessone are the first Town players to have a look at the Kassam pitch

6:25pm

After the 4-1 defeat to Preston on Saturday, during which goalkeeper Wes Foderingham reacted angrily to being substituted midway through the first half, the Robins will be keen to bounce back this evening.

And there is no better venue for both revenge and retaliation to be gained in equal measure than the home of the club's fiercest rivals.

WES FODERINGHAM IS REPLACED AT PRESTON

6:23pm

Everyone from a red persuasion wants to forget about the two games last season, which Swindon lost 2-1 at home and 2-0 away, with James Constable prominent for different reasons in each fixture.

Constable scored in the victory at the County Ground in August before being sent off after 11 minutes in the return clash at the Kassam in March - Oxford would still go on to win 2-0.

6:18pm

Good evening everyone and welcome to the big'un, the derby, the A420 clasico... it's Oxford United vs Swindon Town on the Advertiser's 'Matchday Live'.

We're just as excited as you are to be reporting live from the Kassam Stadium throughout the evening, as Town look to avenge double defeat to the U's last term and progress to round two of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy southern section.

Stay with us for all the build-up to tonight's game, followed by match updates and reaction.

Here we go...