Match Report

What a night! A magnificent team effort on a great night for the Swans in Yorkshire - and this time the convincing win was against quality opposition who played good football, but who were swept aside by our incisive and fluent counter-attacking football. These parasites eh! Eleven points clear and we are all having to pinch ourselves now!

The injury to Pratley did not stop Martinez fielding an enterprising and attacking line-up. Bauza and Scotland were up front in a 4-4-2 line-up which saw a midfield four of Butler, Britton, Bodde and Anderson, and a back four of Painter, Lawrence, Monk and Rangel. Super keeper Dorus was in goal of course, with Robinson and Allen among the subs. It was clear from the off that we were not approaching this game with a stalemate in mind.

The first few minutes saw both teams desperately trying to play passing football, but struggling to master the conditions, with a fierce, swirling wind making life very difficult. This meant there was a lack of clear cut chances in the opening half hour, even though the game was fast and pleasing on the eye. Bauza had a couple of half-chances, one of which he made for himself after a marvellous mazy run; another from a low Anderson cross. At the other end, Donny fired in a few dangerous crosses, one of which Dorus punched away under pressure, and Price headed well over from a corner. So after a relatively even opening period, the breakthrough for the Swans was all the more welcome.

It came on 28 minutes when a terrific Anderson run led to him slipping the ball to Scotland on the edge of the area. In trying to make space for a shot, Scotland was fouled, and Bodde lashed the resulting free kick into the bottom corner with a terrific right foot drive.

Donny responded well, and a moment later their fans were celebrating when Jason Price nodded home from close range - but clearly from an offside position. They then mounted further pressure on our goal, and both Coppinger and Woods had decent efforts from free kicks which cleared Dorus' bar. But at the half time whistle we were confident that we had been worth our lead, just, in an even and entertaining tussle.

Unsurprisingly, Doncaster came out of the blocks with real intent and the opening minutes of the second half could have changed the course of the game. First, Bodde received a clattering head injury from which he fortunately recovered. Then an excellent and fluent Doncaster move culminated in Dorus making a sliding save at the foot of Price, who appeared to catch him late with a trailing foot. A melee followed with a lot of pushing and shoving, but fortunately, no cards were shown and Dorus recovered from the injury he sustained.

And the Swans responded brilliantly to this early buffeting by launching a counter attack on 5 minutes which led to the second and decisive goal. Bodde burst towards the area from a central position before playing a perfect sliding pass inside the full back to Scotland. Rather than shooting, Jason delivered an inch perfect cross to meet the well-timed run of Bauza, who tapped home from no more than a yard or so - a deserved goal to cap his excellent all-round contribution and a terrific assist from Scotland.

The Swans were well on top now and four minutes later came another key moment. As a Swans attack was repelled, the ball fell to Bauza in the centre circle. Cleverly and skilfully he slipped the ball between the two centre halves who had both pushed up, and hared after it, beating them both for pace and putting himself in a position where he was cantering into the area with a clear strike on goal. About a yard or so into the area, he was clattered from behind by Stephen Roberts, whose foul obviously denied Bauza a clear goal-scoring chance. Roberts rightly walked - but bizarrely no penalty was given - instead, a free kick on the edge was awarded after consultation with the clearly clueless linesman.

This lifeline spurred Donny on, and a minute later they nearly pulled one back when a shot was deflected just wide. Even at this stage of proceedings, the home side continued to look threatening and nothing was in the bag. But then Swans began to make their one man advantage count, and also freshened things up by bringing on Allen and Robinson for Britton and Butler. In the latter stages there was wave after wave of Swans attacks as our wide players in particular began to find more and more space. Anderson and Allen both had long range efforts before a Robinson free was deflected just wide of the outstretched leg of Bauza. Then a fine run and pass from Anderson searched out Scotland from close range, but the striker skied his effort.

Donny never gave up though, and on 82 minutes they produced another fine passing move which led to another excellent smothering save from Dorus. But soon the Swans were back on the attack, and a terrific run and pass from Anderson found Brandy in the box. The little man, on for Bauza, attempted to control the ball in a clear scoring position, and was bundled over from behind. Strangely, no card was shown, but this time a penalty was awarded, which Scotland despatched to put the game beyond doubt.

By now the Swans were playing exhibition stuff. Robinson was torturing them on the flanks, and Brandy was destroying them with his pace. Another neat move in the dying minutes saw Robinson tee-up Brandy for a close range goal to round off a fantastic night.

At the final whistle the team came over to acknowledge the excellent vocal support which they had received throughout, and were greeted by the cry of "Stand up for the champions" Premature - right now I am inclined to think not.

DeVries - 8 Some important interventions at key times
Rangel - 7 Not spectacular but very solid
Monk - 8 Rock solid and commanded the defence well
Lawrence - 8 A revelation tonight
Painter - 8 Got forward really well tonight as well as looking composed at the back
Anderson - 8 Some excellent forward runs and incisive passing into the dangerous areas
Britton - 7 Industrious and strong in the challenge
Bodde - 9 Fine goal and instrumental in almost everything
Butler - 8 A classy performance, particularly in the first half
Bauza - 8 A great effort all round and a deserved goal
Scotland - 8 Another terrific centre forward display, strong and direct

Allen - 7 Some neat skills in his cameo performance
Robinson - 7 Dangerous and skilful
Brandy - 8 Looked lethal in his brief appearance

And congratulations to Senor and Jones, who obviously approached the game in positive style with a clear intention to go out to win it. They got the reward their enterprise deserved. The FA Cup seems light years away now and a complete irrelevance. I know where I wanted to be tonight - nowhere but the Keepmoat. Well done to the team and the fans. Roll on Tuesday night.

Doncaster Rovers 0 - 4 Swansea City - Jim White

We held firm in the first half, very windy, first goal was a great Bodde free kick, low and hard in the bottom corner. Monk and Lawrence were outstanding, with no real pressure from Donny.

Second half we scored a great goal a tap in from Bussy, after great work from Scotland and Bodde.

They then had a man sent off and it should have been a pen after Bussy was fouled.

Got the 3rd goal when Brandy was brought down and Scotland put it away. 4th goal late on when all Donny fans had left, a Brandy tap in.

Pricey was dirty bastard and might have injured Dorus, Allen had a great game when he was replaced by Leon. Robbo looked great when he come on as well.

At the end we were taking the piss, my man of the match was Bodde closely followed by Bussy, Scotland Monk and Lawrence.

The world tonight is Green and Black! We were awesome!

De Vries 7 - Solid, few good punches. Came out bravely

Rangel 7 - Not his best, did what he had to do
Monk 8 - Solid and good in the air.
Lawrence 8 - Worked well alongside Monk
Painter 6 - OK but made one bad error


Butler 6 - Not outstanding, but a couple of tricky runs
Britton 7 - Industrious
Bodde 9 - Outstanding, bossed the game, outstanding set pieces.
Anderson 7 - Looked lively, created lots of space used it well

Scotland 8 - Really worked hard up front
Bauza 8 - Worked hard, right place right time - got their man sent off with a nice piece of skill

Subs-
Robinson 7 - Did well when he came on.
Allen 7 - Got involved, nice game
Brandy 7 - Quite feet, took his goal well.

Doncaster: Sullivan, O'Connor, Lockwood (Mills 46), Stephen Roberts, Gareth Roberts, Green, Wellens, Woods (Guy 64), Coppinger, Price, McCammon (Hayter 71).
Subs Not Used: Wilson, McDaid.

Sent Off: Stephen Roberts (58).

Booked: McCammon.

Swansea: De Vries, Rangel, Lawrence, Monk, Painter, Anderson, Bodde, Britton (Allen 62), Butler (Robinson 75), Bauza (Brandy 81), Scotland.
Subs Not Used: O'Leary, Tate.

Goals: Bodde 28, Bauza 52, Scotland 86 pen, Brandy 90.

Att: 10,358

Ref: Carl Boyeson (E Yorkshire).

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