Match Report

Whilst the rest of us have been over indulging on food and drink Roberto Martinez and his players have been training and hopefully not overeating in the build up to another vital game. With Saturday's game at Carlisle falling victim to the weather Swans lost top place to Forest. Today's visitors Cheltenham are struggling towards the foot of the table with a poor away record.

Side- De Vries, Rangel, Monk, Lawrence, Painter, Anderson, Britton, Pratley, Bodde, Robinson, Bauza. Subs – Tate, Butler, Orlandi, Scotland, Duffy.

Swans looked the quicker in deed and thought from the off and Guillem Bauza tested Shane Higgs inside the first two minutes with a shot on the turn.

All the early pressure came from the Swans and it was pretty obvious Cheltenham had come to frustrate and defend in numbers. They were defending deep with more often than not nine men behind the ball and even lone striker Paul Connor pulled back for free kicks and corners.

On 9 minutes a terrific Swans move involving Leon Britton and Andy Robinson ended with a superb strike from Ferrie Bodde that looked a certain goal only for Higgs to pull off a spectacular save.

The pressure on the Cheltenham goal was relentless and on 16 minutes Swans efforts were rewarded. Another terrific flowing move saw Leon Britton set up for a shot on goal. Leon's effort was blocked but he cleverly lifted the rebound over his own head and into the six yard box where Guillem Bauza headed goal ward. With Higgs seemingly having Bauza's header covered, Andy Robinson nipped in to deflect the ball in from two yards with the deftest of headers.

With most of the home supporters having only just sat down, they were on their feet again and celebrating Swans and Andy Robinson's second. Ferre Bodde threaded a pass through to Bauza whose clever dummy created time and space for Robbo. His finish was sublime with a left foot floater into the top corner.

Roberto Martinez would have expected that to be that and hope nobody picked up senseless bookings or got injured. However, just 60 seconds after effectively putting the game beyond Cheltenham, Ferrie Bodde sought retribution on David Bird with an over the top challenge that could easily have broken Bird's leg. Referee Mr Armstrong was anything other than strong showing the Dutchman just a yellow card for a truly shocking challenge.

Despite being two down Cheltenham seemed incapable of getting forward and they seemed to be working on just keeping the score down.

Leon Britton probably should have made it 3-0 but he dragged a shot wide of the post.

On 40 minutes Cheltenham, who had not come even close to a shot on goal won their first corner. There were ironic chants of 'easy, easy' from their supporters and for once they actually got men forward for the corner. However, their joy was short lived as Swans broke away from defending the corner and only a last ditch intervention prevented Darren Pratley rounding off a move that literally went from one end to the other.

Ferrie Bodde went close again from a free kick just before half time and was once more denied by the excellent Higgs.

Swans went off to rapturous applause at half time.

Cheltenham kept Swans players waiting for the start of the second half but if it was part of a master plan, it was soon in tatters as Swans scored their third within two minutes of the restart. Leon Britton put a slide rule pass into the path of Ferre Bodde and from a narrow angle he hit a powerful drive just inside the post.

Darren Pratley went close to making it 4-0 but Higgs somehow managed to save with his legs.

On 61 minutes Garry Monk who had seemed to pick up a back injury, was replaced by Alan Tate with Tom Butler replacing Leon Britton.

Guillem Bauza had a chance to get his name on the score sheet to cap his excellent display but headed straight in the arms of Higgs and Andy Robinson had a powerful drive beaten away by Higgs.

On 73 minutes the floodlights went off and just about every Swans fans held their breath. Thankfully with the light poor but by no means unplayable Mr Armstrong played on and power was restored a few minutes later.

Whilst the lights were off Roberto Martinez pulled off a masterstroke taking off the pale skinned Bauza and replacing him with the dark skinned Jason Scotland. It took Scotland just 60 seconds to ghost into the area and thump the ball past Higgs for Swans fourth.

Cheltenham, who had not a single shot at goal in the first hour of the game showed tremendous spirit and pulled a goal back through Steven Gillespie but it had come totally against the run of play.

Again Swans were wasteful in front of goal with Robinson, Butler and Scotland all having chances to score more. But nobody was going to complain.

With their rivals at the top of the table not having a good day Swans did themselves a power of good with another three points and another four goals.

Ratings –

De Vries 7 – Hardly anything to do.

Rangel 7 – Quiet game, virtually redundant in defence.
Monk 8 – Gave Paul Connor nothing.
Lawrence 7 – One slip up late on eventually led to Cheltenham's goal.
Painter 8 – Didn't put a foot wrong.

Anderson 8 – Another left back would have left the Liberty Stadium not knowing if he'd had a s##t or a haircut.
Britton 8 – Another great display.
Pratley 9 – Dominated the midfield.
Bodde 7 – Great game but lucky not to have seen red.
Robinson 8- Did brilliantly for his two goals.

Bauza 8 – Linked with midfield five superbly.

Tate 7 – Able deputy for Garry Monk.
Butler 7 – Slotted in well but finishing was woeful.
Scotland 8 – Who better to come on when the lights go off!

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