THIS was the ‘banana skin’ game that Swindon Town fans would learn a lot from – the game that would have unquestionably been thrown away in seasons gone by, perhaps ending in a bitterly frustrating draw or even defeat.

But the days of turning up to the Energy Check County Ground at 2.55pm, sitting through two hours of frustratingly timid football before eating your Saturday night takeaway pondering exactly what has anyone done to deserve the Football League slip ‘n’ slide treatment appear to be drawing to a welcome close.

Allow another six months before you can confirm the above statement as true, but momentum is certainly in favour of Richie Wellens’ inspired squad.

Rob Hunt summed up the mood in the home dressing room after this weekend’s dominant victory over Macclesfield Town, though.

There was no ‘we’re buzzing’, there was no ‘three points, onto Colchester’ – none of that tedious, PR influenced, modern-day footballer talk.

He simply stated no player can afford to be too excited at this stage, because that will lead to complacency – and how true is that.

You don’t even have to research examples of complacency to understand what Hunt is stating.

Two wins out of two started Town’s home league campaign last season, and we so often heard the phrase: ‘They think they’ve cracked it’.

What followed? A winless home run in the league that lasted until late November – shocking.

The truth is no player in the current Swindon squad that has been put up for press believes they have cracked it. There are few smiles because nothing has been achieved yet.

It’s refreshing, and – with a bit of luck – a sign of what is to follow.

What will be important in the coming months is man management – something many players have alluded to as Wellens’ strong point.

How can you keep the likes of proven first-team players Anthony Grant, Zeki Fryers, Ellis Iandolo, Michael Doughty, Kaiyne Woolery and Tom Broadbent happy when their place in the squad is never guaranteed.

Should a reserve team return to the Central League be considered? More behind-closed-doors friendlies should be expected, but competitive football cannot be beaten.

Perhaps that’s something for the management to consider – which they no doubt already have.

Regarding individual performances, Keshi Anderson and Jerry Yates’ relentless work-rate on Saturday was again outstanding.

In particulat, in no way should Yates have won possession prior to Swindon’s second goal on the stroke of half-time.

Hunt speaks for himself – two assists for a right-back, not bad. Danny Rose and Anthony Grant were again dependable figures in the middle – and we saw more movement from the latter this time as his fitness levels gather speed.

Eoin Doyle and Lloyd Isgrove impressed as usual, Ellis Iandolo has most likely kept his spot for Tuesday’s visit of Colchester United, while Dion Conroy and Mathieu Baudry delivered another solid show.

For goalkeeper Luke McCormick, it would’ve felt like an afternoon off – but a clean sheet nonetheless.

Wellens made one forced changed from the side that defeated Leyton Orient 3-1 on the road last week as Grant replaced the injured Jordan Lyden.

There was no great urgency from the visitors – four men stayed back for a free-kick that Theo Archibald won in the home half early on.

Daryl McMahon’s game plan for the Silkmen was clear – frustrate Swindon in the final third and break on the counter.

The former worked, initially. But Swindon’s patience on the ball started to weigh on the visitors’ defence, and a series of chances midway through the half were consequently presented.

Doyle fluffed his lines when getting minimal contact on a free header from a corner, but frustration soon turned into elation for Irishman.

Anderson picked up the pieces from another Doyl effort on 37 minutes to put Swindon ahead, before Doyle notched Town’s second on the stroke of half-time after excellent build-up play from Yates and Hunt.

A poor end to Macclesfield’s first half prompted changes. The error-prone Connor Kirby made way for Brice Ntwambe, while striker Arthur Gnahoua replaced winger Archibald.

The changes hardly impacted the game’s momentum – Doyle had a goal disallowed for offside before he later forced Macclesfield keeper Owen Evans to turn the ball behind for a corner after a strong piece of link-up play with Anderson.

The visitors’ frustrations were evident no more so than when Jay Harris verbally challenged central defender Theo Vassell following the former’s clumsy challenge on Anderson with the game now well into its last 20 minutes.

Minutes later, Macclesfield’s breakdown in spirit showed – as a rampant Swindon notched a third.

It was again Hunt and Doyle that combined following strong build-up play from Isgrove to pick out Anderson.

Without hesitation, Doyle – inside the D – leathered another right-footed first-time effort into Evans’ top left corner.

Three substitutions followed for the home side. Isgrove left the field for Kaiyne Woolery, while Grant received a standing ovation when making way for Adam May. Tom Broadbent later replaced Conroy.

Under new rules, Isgrove was required to leave the field on the far side. His lengthy walk around the pitch’s perimeter was anything but a chore, though.

The winger took the opportunity to lap up the support from his adoring set of fans and – chipped in with a high-five or two on his way back to the dugout.

That proved to be the highlight of the game’s later stages.

But another three points in the bag, and momentum is now firmly on Swindon’s side ahead of Colchester United’s visit on Tuesday.