Sutton travel down the M4 to take on Swindon Town, one of two clubs to achieve an EFL double over U’s last season, winning 2-1 at Sutton in October and repeating the scoreline at the County Ground in March as they went on to finish a point and two places above Sutton in the final table. They then lost in the play-off semi-final to Port Vale, the tie finishing 2-2 on aggregate and Port Vale winning on penalties.

Manager Ben Garner left to join Charlton in the summer, with goalkeeper Joe Wollacott following him to The Valley, while forward Harry McKirdy was a departure at the end of the recent transfer window, heading north of the border to join Hibernian. Josh Davison, who scored one of Swindon’s goals in March while on loan from Charlton, has now linked up with manager Johnnie Jackson at AFC Wimbledon. Scott Lindsay, who took over from Ben Garner, added five players to his squad on deadline day, including striker Luke Jephcott from Plymouth and defender Marcel Lavinier from Tottenham, while Jonny Williams and Louie Reed are likely to be in the squad, both having scored at Sutton in October, although Reed was sent off in the return game. 

Swindon have been the draw specialists this season, sharing the points in five of their seven league games, their one win coming at home to Rochdale and their one defeat at Harrogate on the opening day of the season.

Another deadline day exit from the County Ground, of course, was goalkeeper Lewis Ward as he moved to Sutton, while Tuesday promises to be a notable game for Harry Beautyman, who is set to make his 300th appearance for the club, having joined in August 2011 and then, after spells in the Football League with Northampton, Peterborough and Stevenage, rejoined us in January 2018. Striker Omar Bugiel is available again after injury, but Sam Hart and Ben Goodliffe remain sidelined.

We will be wearing our all black kit for the game.

Referee on Tuesday is Darren Handley from Bolton, who has been a Football League referee since 2014 and was in charge of last season’s 2-0 win at Carlisle. He also refereed U’s FA Cup defeat at Cambridge in November 2017.

Tickets for the game are on sale at the Club Shop until 12 noon on Monday 12 September, or can be bought at Swindon on the night at no extra charge. Our accommodation is in the Arkells Stand. Prices are: Adult £25; Over 65/Student £20; Under 18 £10; Under 11 £3. Wheelchair/ambulant disabled supporters pay the appropriate age-related price, with a carer admitted free. There is an away fans’ guide here.

The game will be live streamed for those who can’t make the journey, and passes can be bought for £10 here.

The Supporters’ Club coach leaves the VBS at 3.00pm.

For independent drivers car parking is available at St Joseph’s School (SN3 3LR), a short five minute walk to the ground, price £5. Leave the M4 at junction 15 and take the A419 north.  At the first roundabout take the first exit on to Marlborough Way, the A4259. At the next roundabout take the second exit to carry on in to Queens Drive. Continue until the next roundabout, where you turn right in to Drakes Way then bear left in to Ocotal Way for the car park.
 
For those travelling by train it only takes an hour from Paddington to Swindon, with a frequent service, and it is possible to return after the game and get back the same night, with the last train at 22.41. Swindon station is about a 10 minute walk from the ground. From the front of the station turn left onto Station Road. Facing the White House pub, head right onto Corporation Street. At the traffic lights turn left onto Manchester Road. At the end of Manchester Road turn right onto County Road. The entrance to the stadium is the second left.