An Aaron Drinan second-half hat-trick cancelled out Colchester United’s first-half lead, as The Robins made it back-to-back wins in the league.

Kylian Kouassi opened the scoring for the visitors; however, a 30-minute trio of goals for our star striker ensured Town claimed all three points.

Ian Holloway made four changes to the side which defeated Port Vale in midweek. Deadline day signings Dan Butler and Antwoine Hackford were both handed their Swindon Town debuts. Meanwhile, Billy Kirkman and Joe Snowdon both returned to the eleven.

Colchester United opened the scoring in the 13th minute after a strong run and pass from Moses Sesay teed up Kylian Kouassi, who powered home a strike off the underside of the crossbar.

Town’s first shot of the encounter came in the 16th minute courtesy of Ollie Clarke, but his attempt was well blocked.

Kouassi was involved again in the 22nd minute after showing his physical prowess to manufacture a shooting opportunity which Connor Ripley comfortably gathered to his left.

Ripley was called upon again seconds later as he denied Oscar Thorn’s low drive as the away side continued to apply the pressure.

Former Red Jack Payne was next to try his luck in the 31st minute; however, the midfielder blazed his right-footed attempt over the bar into the Town end.

Town had the chance to level the game in the 40th minute after a scramble in the box from a Mitch Clark long throw broke kindly to Snowdon, whose shot was well smothered.

The away side immediately responded up the other end as the ever-involved Kouassi flicked an improvised attempt into the gloves of Ripley.

The U’s almost extended their lead two minutes after the restart when Sean Raggett met Payne’s corner, but Ripley stood tall to deny the defender.

That sparked Town into action as Anthony Munda was brought down inside the box in the 48th minute by Jay Williams, giving Town a golden opportunity to level.

Aaron Drinan’s initial spot-kick was saved low by Thimothee Lo-Tutala; however the Irishman was on hand to convert the rebound to ensure his run of scoring in every home game this season continued.

Joseph Hungbo was introduced to the action in the 64th minute and nearly made an immediate impact from the bench, curling a wonderful left-footed effort just wide of Lo-Tutala’s far post.

Hungbo was involved once again eight minutes later, as he picked up the ball from 35 yards out before whipping a low bending effort narrowly past the post.

Swindon’s sustained pressure would eventually pay off in the 77th minute as the influential Hungbo slipped a ball through to Drinan, who fired into the top corner expertly.

Swindon Town v Colchester Utd EFL2 Game 5, The Nigel Eady County Ground, Swindon, Wiltshire, 05/09/2026, Photo Credit: Andy Crook

Just two minutes later, Drinan would secure his hat-trick, racing onto a Jack Thomson through ball, before slotting coolly under the legs of Lo-Tutala to give Town a two-goal advantage in a matter of minutes to make it three wins from three at the Nigel Eady County Ground this season.

Starting XI: Ripley, Clark, Negru, Clarke (Middlemas 46’), Snowdon, Drinan, Thomson, Butler, Munda (Debayo 75’), Hackford (Millard 46’, Hungbo 64’), Kirkman (Majekodunmi 46’)

Unused: Ward, Butterworth

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