THERE has been plenty of change since Swindon Town last won at home by four goals – Brexit for starters, England’s rise from World Cup group stage flops to semi-finalists and legendary jockey AP McCoy’s retirement from the saddle.

It is no wonder therefore that Town fans left the Energy Check County Ground at 5pm on Saturday with a certain spring in their step after watching Richie Wellens mastermind a dominant 4-0 thrashing over a poor Morecambe side.

August 31, 2013, was the last time Town recorded a win by four goals or greater at home.

That day, Crewe Alexandra were downed 5-0 in front of an attendance some 1,700 bigger than the below-par 5,707 number recorded for Saturday’s game.

Regardless, little can be taken away from Town’s shining performance – which appeared to improve as the 90 minutes went on.

Early exposure on the right wing was quickly covered before midfield complacency was cut out, restricting the Shrimps to only ambitious strikes that were hit more in hope than belief.

It was perhaps the perfect reintroduction to the first team for Luke McCormick in goal. He made three key saves, one from an unfavourable one-on-one position, to give Wellens plenty of food for thought with regards to Lawrence Vigouroux’s place in the first team upon the Chilean’s return from international duty.

Defensively, Town looked good. Dion Conroy stood out, scored one of the four goals, and was unfortunate not to scoop man of the match.

His long passing proved key in Town’s success, and his work was complimented by Ali Koiki and Kyle Knoyle’s forward-thinking approach, while Luke Woolfenden held the fort at the back.

As mentioned, there were wobbles in midfield – and opposition with greater qualities in front of goal could have arguably put two in Town’s net.

Canice Carroll got stuck in as usual, and Danny Rose settled after an early scare.

Going forwards, little could be faulted. The wings were dictated by Kyle Bennett and Kaiyne Woolery, while Keshi Anderson provided able support in the centre.

Theo Robinson adopted his poachers stance, and was rewarded with a goal.

Three points against a poor Morecambe seems a little insignificant – the real test occurs next weekend when visiting automatic promotion hopefuls Bury.

The result itself proved a timely win, given Town’s deficit to the League Two play-off frame.

Nicky Law’s injury time strike for Exeter City against bottom club Notts County ensured the gap between Town and a top-seven spot remains at seven points, with a game in hand.

Tranmere Rovers, Milton Keynes Dons and Forest Green Rovers were other play-off chasing teams to scoop three points.

Wellens was forced into making one change due to Vigouroux’s international commitments.

In came McCormick, while young stopper Archie Matthews appeared on the senior starting sheet for the first time after impressing in a series of Merit League fixtures.

Town established a lead in the opening 10 minutes. Bennett’s poor inswinging corner came as a blessing to the hosts.

Through determination, Bennett won back possession before no fewer than five players were involved in the hosts’ opening goal.

The Bristol Rovers loanee’s cross found Woolfenden, whose header was flicked on by Robinson to allow Anderson to find Conroy on the penalty spot.

Conroy’s blast deflected fortuitously into the path of Robinson, who nodded home from close range to open the scoring.

It’s a wonder how Town didn’t add to their lead from kick-off. A powerful cross from the right delivered by Robinson ricocheted off Koiki before Anderson’s header from five yards forced a reaction save from visiting goalkeeper Mark Halstead.

Hesitant play from Rose almost gifted Morecambe an equalising goal with 18 minutes played. The former Portsmouth man lost possession in the centre of the pitch, 40 yards from goal, allowing Aaron Collins to sprint in the direction of McCormick free of any pressure.

McCormick had to be at his best to stop the Shrimps from levelling, getting a firm hand to Collins’ right-footed effort to fist it wide.

Fans were perhaps relieved to see Town double their lead three minutes from time in the first half as Woolery added to the home side’s tally.

The striker pathed his own way into the penalty area before unleashing a low left-footed shot that beat Halstead at his near post.

A tinge of complacency perhaps into Town’s game in the concluding minutes of the opening half. McCormick had to make two reasonable saves following a pair of crosses from the left to end the half.

Morecambe pressed early in the second half – Piero Mingoia and Alex Kenyon watched ambitious efforts fly over Town’s crossbar.

That prompted visiting boss Jim Bentley’s first change as Kenyon made way for Andrew Flemming.

From there, Town created chances, however, their positioning in the box was often what let them down.

Bennett delivered three accurate crosses in a 10-minute period that evaded Town’s target men, while Carroll was unfortunate not to have a strike himself when an ill-placed Koiki collided with the on-loan Brentford man.

None of that mattered, though, as Wellens’ side put the game to bed with 66 minutes played through Conroy, who registered his first goal in a Town shirt.

After receiving a pass from Anderson in the box, Conroy breezed past two markers before calmly slotting his right-footed shot beyond Halstead’s reach into the far corner.

The feel-good afternoon was added to when Wellens replaced Koiki with experienced full-back Matt Taylor, who earlier in the week announced he will retire from football at the end of the current season.

Taylor – a popular figure among fans – received a standing ovation upon entering the pitch, before colourful cheers greeted his immediate first touch.

Striker Marc Richards was next to enter the field as he took Woolery’s place with 78 minutes played.

The changes did not halt Town’s scoring, though, as Bennett cashed in to notch his third goal in five games, stretching Town’s lead to four.

Bennett’s right-footed effort puzzled Shrimps’ stopper Halstead – an odd bounce saw the ball nestle into his right corner. In truth, though, Halstead should have done better.

That ended a positive day for Town boss Wellens, who next Saturday will face a much stiffer task when travelling to face automatic promotion hopefuls Bury.