SWINDON TOWN: We are back in the groove, says Ritchie (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

SWINDON TOWN: We are back in the groove, says Ritchie

2:15pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in Football By Dan Barnes

MATT Ritchie thinks that Swindon Town are back in business after their valiant display against Aston Villa in the Captial One Cup on Tuesday night.

Paolo Di Canio’s side had gone three games without a win before their 4-0 win over Stevenage last Saturday and recovered from two goals down to level matters earlier this week before succumbing to a late strike from Villa’s Belgian international Christian Benteke.

Town winger Ritchie says that his side will take heart from their battling performance against Premier League opposition at a sold-out County Ground, as they look to make waves in League One.

“It was obviously disappointing to concede in the last minute but I think we showed what we’re capable of,” Ritchie told the Gazette & Herald.

“We’ve got a great work ethic and desire at the club to win games and we nearly caused another upset.

“In the first half, we were in the game but in the second half, I thought we dominated. I think everybody would have written us off at 2-0 down but we’ve got a lot of belief at this club and we showed our quality.

“It was very much like the Stoke game because they caught us on the break a couple of times but that’s the quality that they’ve got – when you come up against Premier League teams, it’s always going to be difficult.

“But I thought we held our own and came back with two great goals by Miles (Storey). It was also good to have Willo (Andy Williams) back.

“I think we have had a sticky patch but I think we showed that we’re back in good form and hopefully we can carry that on in to the league now.”

Swindon boss Di Canio was delighted with his side after they pushed Paul Lambert’s Villa all the way.

He added: “It is disappointing but what they have done made me proud as a manger because the second half was a spectacular game, and they played with discipline and quality, without worries.

“I was very happy to see my players not go blurry after going 2-0 down. I told them it is important we keep going, and after the Stevenage game this is an amazing performance.”

Before they can turn their attentions back to the league, Town will first look to see off the challenge of Blue Square Premier outfit Macclesfield Town in the first round of the FA Cup this weekend.