Swindon Town 5 Gilingham 0 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Swindon Town 5 Gilingham 0

6:27pm Saturday 6th October 2007

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Coca Cola League One

Simon Cox and Billy Paynter bagged two apeice as Topwn destroyed Gillingham to end a turbulent week on a high.

It was a depressing return to Wiltshire for Gillingham's caretaker boss Iffy Onuora as he saw his side taken apart.

Deadline day signing Jon-Paul McGovern started on Town's left with Sofiene Zaaboub dropped to the bench after a quiet display in Tuesday night's defeat at Swansea.

Jack Smith also missed out, after dislocating his shoulder at the Liberty Stadium, with Frenchman Miguel Comminges starting at right back.

McGovern justified his recall almost instantly as he volleyed Town into a fourth minute lead, an ideal response to a turbulent week at the County Ground.

Jamie Vincent's long ball found the charging Craig Easton in the inside left channel and his hooked cross was brillantly met by McGovern, who volleyed into the net for the opener.

It got better for the hosts two minutes later as Gillingham struggled to cope with the pace and creativity shown by Paul Sturrock's men early on.

After a goalmouth scramble, Billy Paynter's shot was deflected into the path of Simon Cox, with his back to goal eight yards out. He cleverly turned before chipping home the second.

The young striker, on loan from Reading, thought he had trebled the lead on eight minutes, after prodding in Paynter's knock down but the linesman had flagged Christian Roberts' early cross out.

Town were in complete control and Cox should had scored his second on 26 minutes, dragging wide from close range after Comminges' ball beat Gillingham's off-side trap.

With Sturrock's men still dominant, Lee Peacock saw a 20-yard free kick fired just over the bar, while Roberts had a goal-bound shot blocked by Simon Cox in front of goal.

Comminges was next to close, firing over, after more strong approach play from Paynter on 33 minutes.

Town's defensive problems continued though with Sam Collins joining the ever-growing injury list, after a tangle of legs, and he was replaced by Chris Blackburn.

Town again came out quickly with McGovern almost scoring his second goal of the game, goalkeeper Simon Royce palming his 20-yard curling effort wide.

Some sublime skill from Cox created the next chance as the Reading loanee continued to cause havoc in Gillingham's box.

Robert's overhit cross was brilliantly controlled by the head of Cox, before his acrobatic overhead kick cannoned off the inside of the post across the goalline and away to safety.

It was 3-0 on 52 minutes as Paynter latched on to Comminges' through ball, nutmegged Marvin Hamilton and smashed the ball into the top corner.

Paynter almost made it 4-0 on the hour mark when his fierce strike crashed against the bar but a minute later Cox completed his brace, his fifth goal in six starts.

McGovern was again creator, with Cox heading powerfully home his right wing cross.

Town keeper Phil Smith was finally called into action on 68 minutes when substitute Gary Mulligan's deft header was gathered easily.

Sturrock's men showed no signs on letting up though and Easton almost got into the act on 72 minutes heading straight at Royce, from another inch perfect McGovern cross.

Gillingham should have grabbed a consolation on 77 minutes but Delroy Facey's header from just yards out was cleared off the line by Michael Pook.

Paynter scored his second of the game on 84 minutes, taking advantage of Barry Cogan's horrendous pass out of defence, rounding Royce and slotting Town's fifth goal home.

Cox was denied his hattrick in injury time, Royce parrying after he burst through on goal and Paynter was just unable to convert the rebound for his second hattrick in two home games.

Paynter was again denied his treble deep in injury time as Royce again parried wide TOWN: Phil Smith, Jamie Vincent, Lee Peacock, Jerel Ifil, Christian Roberts, Craig Easton, Jon-Paul McGovern, Miguel Comminges, Billy Paynter, Sam Collins, Simon Cox SUBS: Sofiene Zaaboub, Chris Blackburn, Michael Pook, Blair Sturrock, Kaid Mohamed.

GILLINGHAM: Simon Royce, Ian Cox, Andrew Crofts, Delroy Facey, Nicky Southall, Marvin Hamilton, Efe Sodje, Sean Clohessy, David Graham, Barry Cogan, Adam Nowland SUBS: Simon King, Mark Bentley, Gary Mulligan, Derek Stille,Chris Dickson

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