Swansea 3-6 Blackpool 1 - Nigel Gigg, Pictures by Andrew Thomas

A beautiful warm day, a packed house and two teams needing to win for different reasons. If ever a crowd didn't need warming up it was today. But warm up they got with Enzo Macarinelli and Roger Freestone presented in front of the fans prior to kick off.

Roberto Martinez would have been disappointed to lose Alan Tate and Tom Butler to injury and young Joe Allen stepped up to take one of the places on the bench.

Side- Gueret, Amankwaah, Lawrence, Iriekepen, Austin, Britton, Craney, O'Leary, Robinson, D Duffy, Trundle. Subs- Oakes, R Duffy, Williams, Allen, Abbott.

The atmosphere pre match was certainly better than any game previously at the Liberty and was helped by the presence of around 1500 Blackpool fans virtually all clad in bright orange.

Despite the Swans starting well, it was Blackpool that had the first chance of the game with Andy Morrell stabbing the ball just wide of the post.

Swans hit straight back and Izzy Iriekepen almost grabbed a goal when he beat Blackpool keeper Joe Hart to a cross but couldn't direct his header goalward.

After some great football Swans did take the lead on 13 minutes. Swans won a free kick on the left but the danger seemed to have past as Dennis Lawrence went out to the right hand touch line to collect the ball. Dennis played a short ball to Lee Trundle and with seemingly nothing on and two men to keep him company, Trunds manufactured what would surely have won cross of the season and Izzy Iriekepen had the relatively easy task of heading in unmarked from 6 yards out. Trunds old striking partner at Wrexham would have looked on enviously at the quality of the cross and it would surely have bought back memories of the season 2003-04 when Trunds was responsible for setting up many a chance for Morrell in a season when he bagged 30 plus goals.

The goal lifted the atmosphere up another notch and lesser sides could have been knocked out of their stride by the intimidating atmosphere but Blackpool responded well and were beginning to control the midfield.

They equalised on 24 minutes when after a slick passing movement that left the Swans back line looking pedestrian, Andy Morrell found himself in space and lifted the ball over the advancing Willy.

Blackpool were now very much in charge and looked quicker in deed and thought. They continued to dominate central midfield and Keigan Parker and Andy Morrell saw plenty of the ball in attack.

On 31 minutes Willy Gueret denied Parker a goal after saving a well struck free kick but Parker was soon to get his name of the score sheet.

Again the Swans midfield could not retain possession and ex Swans favourite Adrian Forbes collected the ball and put the ball to the feet of Parker. He turned and fired a shot from 25 yards or so. Although well struck the shot was straight at Willy Gueret and if he hadn't moved would probably have hit his head. Rather than stand his ground and catch or parry the ball to safety, Willy flung himself into the air and threw an arm at the ball. Had he connected the save would have looked spectacular, as it was he merely missed the ball and was once more left with egg on his face.

Blackpool continued to dominate to the half time whistle and their control of the midfield had to be overcome if Swans were to get the win they so needed.

Roberto Martinez made a change at half time with Kris O'Leary making way for Tom Williams. Williams went to the left of midfield with Andy Robinson going central. A change was a must but many would have expected an again out of touch Ian Craney to make way. The other change Roberto made was to the formation, with Swans adopting a 3-5-2 style with Kevin Amankwaah and Tom Williams playing the wing back roles. This would add numbers to a battered midfield but the lack of numbers against two quality strikers could prove to be Swans undoing.

The change seemed to have paid dividends within two minutes of the restart. An Andy Robinson corner found it's way to Lee Trundle on the edge of the box. With his back to goal and surrounded by defenders Trunds controlled the ball on his chest and struck a left foot volley on the turn through a sea of legs and just inside the post.

Within another two minutes and the roof was almost lifted of the Liberty's roof as Swans were awarded a penalty.

Leon Britton ran at the heart of the Blackpool defence and was only denied by a last ditch challenge. The ball broke loose and Lee Trundle looked favourite to get to the ball but was fouled by Keith Southern. Mr Marriner who wasn't having the best of games got this one right and awarded the spot kick.

Lee Trundle stepped up, sent keeper Joe Hart the wrong way but was denied by the post.

If thoughts that this wasn't going to be our day had started to surface they were banished just five minutes later when Swans took the lead. A corner should have been cleared by the Blackpool defence and Izzy Iriekepen was given time to swing a left foot at a loose ball and send the home crowd into raptures.

Perhaps, with hindsight this was time to revert to 4-4-2 but Blackpool struck back just two minutes later. Willy Gueret was again centre stage. He failed to save a shot from outside the box and could only push the ball onto the bar. He was unlucky, however, that the ball fell straight into the path of Andy Morrell who headed into an empty net. Full marks though to Morrell for following up and he got his reward.

News was filtering through that Oldham had taken the lead against Chesterfield and that only added to the gloom that was starting to descend on the stadium.

Just a minute later and the dream was shattered. The back three was again exposed and Blackpool worked the ball superbly to create space for Morrell to complete his hat trick.

Roberto played his final card on 65 minutes bringing on Pawel Abbott for Kevin Amankwaah.

Despite throwing men forward there looked no way back for the Swans and Blackpool grabbed two further goals. Andy Morrell got his fourth benefiting from a mix up between Dennis Lawrence and Izzy Iriekepen and superbly lifting a left foot volley over Willy Gueret before Keigan Parker thumped home a sixth for Blackpool after leaving Dennis Lawrence for dead.

So a day that at times seemed so full of hope ultimately led to a thumping. But there was no shame in this defeat and all 18,903 would have felt they had seen a classic.

Ratings-

Gueret 4- Surely won't start next season as number one.

Amankwaah 6 – No replacement for Alan Tate.
Lawrence 5 – Found out time and again by his former Wrexham team mate.
Iriekepen 7 – Pick of a poor defence but did most of his good work at the other end.
Austin 5 – Not his greatest game and another found wanting against a front two always on the move.

Britton 7- Terrific first half and gave his usual 100% effort.
O'Leary 6- A few great challenges but failed to win control of the middle of the park.
Craney 4 – Seems to being going backwards and will be relieved the season is over.
Robinson 6 – Not at his best.

Duffy 6 – Quiet game by his recent standards.
Trundle 8 – Scored one, created another but will have nightmares about his penalty miss.

Subs –

Williams 6 – Help bolster the midfield.
Abbott 5 – Ran, chased but never a threat.
Allen 6- Not afraid to look for the ball and chance his arm.

Swansea 3-6 Blackpool 1 - Guto Llewelyn

In all honesty Swansea were tought a lesson today by undoubtedly the best
team we've hosted at the Liberty this season and probably ever!

It was a dissappointing end to a period where hope has been the focus as we
worked hard to wipe out the memory of Jacket's last matches! Adrian Forbes
said that if Martinez had been there 4 weeks earlier we would be challenging
for an automatic promotion spot! Who Knows really? But had we made the
play-offs we would probably have lost anyway to this team, because their
attitudes were spot-on. A passing team that finnished amazingly!

I must confess it wasn\'t a terrible performance by us today, but individual
players were really shaken, and that led to our downfall!

The game started well with both teams passing well within themselves.
Swansea then forced the first opening from a cross that was headed wide.
Nevertheless it set the stage for a game full of excitement and
opportunities!

It was another set-play that led to the opener. The ball whiped in for
Iriekpen to get on the end of it. The net shook and the stadium jumped.
Thousands of Jacks over-joyed. Swansea returned to their half, looking to
build on this magnificent opener.

And build we did, challenging the orange defenders, and forcing them to
work. Many opportunities appeared in the 10 minutes between our goal and
their equaliser.

Then the equaliser came, a mix up in the box, and Andy Morrell was there to
lift it home, over Gueret\'s stretched body. Our hearts sank in unison as
the satsuma end of the stadium began jumping and beating their drums! A
quick reply was needed, yet it didn\'t come. We looked impatient and sloppy.
Many passes weren\'t being completed, particularly in midfield, where Craney
and O\'leary weren\'t being given any room. Blackpool grew in confidence and
a long ball was sent into the box. It was very far to the left of Gueret\'s
goal, and Iriekpen seemed to have Parker under control. Then out of nowhere
he smashed the ball above Iriekpen\'s leg and over Gueret\'s head. Questions
may be asked over why Gueret was off his line, but in all honesty nobody was
expecting that shot.

Half Time couldn\'t come soon enough, with Blackpool playing some sweet
one-twos around Craney and O\'leary, and working their ways into the box.
Half time came and it was a deadly hush that ran through the stands,
shattered only by the drums of Blackpool.

Swansea re-emerged at the start of the second half with a buzz; the
substitution made, O'leary for Williams. Strange seeing as O'leary had
been tackling well, but Martinez obviously wanted to attack from the wings!

And attack we did. Williams received the ball and won a corner early on. The
corner then caused heaps of trouble for Blackpool. In the end the ball
landed at the chest of Lee Trundle. He turned quickly just outside the
six-yard box, with his marker glued to his back. He managed to just get the
volley. It creeped inside the post, and the score-board changed to 2-2. The
game was back on!

More attacking came, with Britton in stunning form. The ball was then played
by the impressive Duffy in front of Trundle, who ran into the box. On the
penalty spot the tackle came and Trundle went down. Penalty awarded, but it
surely shouldn't have! The ball evidently changed direction as the tackle
was made, suggesting a fair tackle. And I believe the ref thought so as
well! Deciding not to give a red card, even though it was a glorious
goal-scoring opportunity. The confidence levels were soaring as Trundle eyed
the goal. He stepped up. The keeper dived to his right, Trundle shot to the
other corner. But the post was standing in the way. Trundle looked amazed.

Yet the momentum continued. Another set-play and the ball fell in the
six-yard area. Iriekpen was there, much like Morrell for Blackpool's 1st;
The ball tapped past the confused keeper. And erruption followed, as fans
actually believed we could make the play-offs. And we weren't settling at
that. Pressing continued, as we aimed to get into the competition on
goal-difference.

Blackpool were certainly on the ropes. Chances came and went as we looked to
be in control of the game.

Yet again though, out of the blue Blackpool broke. Morrell again under
pressure from Iriekpen. And from a further distance he shot. Once again
Gueret was off his line and in trouble as the ball skimmed his bald head and
ended in the back of the net. Positioning and reaction weak from Gueret. 3-3
and Swansea became desperate.

Much like in the first half after we conceded our first, Blackpool took
control and authority. Hoolahan, Morrell and Parker running all over the
back 4. Even our old friend Adrian Forbes wanted to see us suffer.

I have to be honest and confess that I haven't got a clue about the order
of the other goals Blackpool scored. Another 2 came for Morrell, who was
having the game of his life. Keigan Parker then chipped in with a second at
the end! They were dominating for the remaining time. Bringing on Abbott and
debutant Allen made no real difference as they struggled to halt the
Blackpool surges.

Amankwaah was slow getting back into his own half for one of the goals.
Lawrence and Iriekpen's marking for a rebounded header was appauling, and
reminded me of Jermaine Beckford(Scunthorpe)'s goal against us a few months
ago. Gueret was then out of position on many occasions, leading to goals.

We couldn't complain! We had been tought a footballing lesson! We all stood
(those of us left at the end of the match) and clapped, whilst Blackpool
celebrated a hugely impressive if a bit pointless victory. I have to confess
to not staying for the lap of honour because of dissappointment and need to
get home.

Yet I watched and thought, out of everybody at the club only two people
deserved to be in the play-offs after this season!

Martinez and Britton. Both have been consistant, and have given it their
all!

Appart from that we must admit that we didn't deserve to win nor make the
play-offs when you look at the season as a whole!

We never beat any of the teams that have finished above us, and some players
have coasted. Even some quarters of the supporters need to be criticised;
for inventing the ironic jeer whenever Gueret caught the ball; for
criticising certain players after a few bad performances; for disputing
every single decision taken at the club!

Yet I'm very optimistic ahead of the new season in August! We must be
looking at an automatic promotion place!

Ratings-

Gueret-4- Caught out of position too many times, made no spectacular saves
and kicking was awful again.

Amankwaah-5- Slow and lazy. Couldn't handle Hoolahan at all. Struggled with
tiredness too.

Lawrence-5- Couldn't cope with Blackpool's speed and passing. Was all over
the place at times. Didn't give us much up-front.

Iriekpen-5- Scored two, but that masked a very very bad performance
defensively. Morrell had a field-day with him as his marker.

Austin-6- Solid as a rock! The only member of the defence that was! Clever
and careful, a priceless asset in this defence!

Britton-8- What a star. Ran all day for nothing. Created chances, and looked
up for the fight!

O'leary-6- Tackling was brilliant again, and his effort can't be
questioned. Passing was letting us down and was under pressure all the time.

Craney-5- Added very little. Showed determination at times in the first
half, but vanished in the second. Didn't bother shooting.

Robinson-7- Tried everything and was excellent when we were leading. Yet
when we were behind he was slow and lackluster. Poor fitness got the better
of him again.

D.Duffy-7- Must sign him. Very clever, and determined. Self-driven but never
got a chance today. More involved in the build up.

Trundle-7- Captain tried his hardest and battled hard, but missed penalty
had big effect on his performance! Skillful and creative, yet not involved
for the last 30.


Subbs:

Williams-7- A thorn in the side of Blackpool at times. Was quick and
troublesome. Went missing after 4-3.

Abbott-6- Added nothing really. A few nice touches but didn't have a shot.
Wasn't in the box 95% of the time.

Allen-6- Good start, made no big mistakes, but was powerless to halt the
orange tide. Energetic and a good passer. Didn't look bad.

So the season ends sadly, with us pondering and thinking "What if?"

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