Chuffed to bits!

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 11 February 2015


LEE Johnson hailed his players as their huge effort gave Athletic a 2-1 victory and put them in a season-high fifth place in the league.

Promotion-chasing Swindon showed their credentials in a contest they dominated. But the home side dug in to pick up three points thanks to sharp first-half strikes from Mike Jones and Conor Wilkinson.

Massimo Luongo pulled a goal back in the second half, but the visitors couldn’t manage to find another way past goalkeeper Jake Kean despite heavy pressure.

A fourth win in six games was due to a lightning-quick start, which Johnson said formed a major part of his strategy in defeating a side “too good for League One”.

“It was a monumental one,” said Johnson, after a contest which was watched by his chairman Simon Corney. “They have signed good players and have just become better and better. “I was chuffed with it. It shows how far we have come to play well against a top side.

“I said to the lads before the game that this one was a Championship game. I think they are a top-half Championship side - minimum. Nobody could accuse us of not having a go right from the start.

“I said to the lads they would have to go out in the first half-hour and shut down like their lives depended on it.

“It was fantastic to score two quick goals — actually it was 3-0; the disallowed goal was onside, the video showed.”

Wilkinson was taken off complaining of a sore hamstring in the 16th minute and Athletic will monitor his progress for the Colchester game on Saturday. With that match Johnson hopes to shake off an unwanted record against teams in the relegation zone.



ATHLETIC are sending out Valentine’s Day love to the fans by offering discounted match day admission prices for Saturday’s game against Colchester United.

The club has reduced match day admission to £5 for all supporters in the Rochdale Road stand and ZenOffice stand.

The club is hoping supporters will take advantage and #PackThePark.

Admission for #PackThePark will be cash only, at the turnstiles. Supporters who have already bought a ticket can get a refund.