Match Report

Roberto Martinez for once got it wrong with his tactics as MK Dons took a big step towards Wembley after grabbing a 1-0 win in the first leg of the Southern Area Final of the Jonnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Martinez made a number of changes giving starts to Kris O’Leary,  Darren Way and Fabien Brandy. However, unlike earlier rounds of the competition the bench was not packed with experience.

MK Dons included former Swans keeper Willy Gueret. The Dons have had a terrific season and have won 11 League games away from home this season, more than any other club in the Football League.

Side- De Vries, Rangel, Monk, Tate, Painter, Anderson, Way, O’Leary, Robinson, Bauza, Brandy. Subs- Austin, Allen, McDonald, Butler, Duffy.

Swans almost had the perfect start with Paul Anderson putting through Fabien Brandy for a one on one but Willy Gueret was quick off his line to deny him. It proved to be Paul Anderson’s last contribution and after just 60 seconds he was substituted for Shaun McDonald. The substitution was all about starting six players who were regular first team players but it was hardly within the spirit of the game.

 It was obvious the substitution was pre planned but it seemed nobody had told young Anderson who looked totally perplexed.

Swans looked much the better side early on and Dons two shaven headed centre halves were pulled all over the field by the guile of Andy Robinson and Guillem Bauza and the electric speed of Fabien Brandy.

Fabien Brandy had a second one on one against Willy Gueret but was again denied by the French keeper’s speed off his line. Brandy had a further chance but unselfishly fed Kris O’Leary. The midfielder had just Willy to beat but got the ball stuck under his feet before firing weakly into Willy’s body.

MK Dons only real effort in the first half was a shot from Jemal Johnson that Dorus de Vries in the Swans goal turned around for a corner.

Despite dominating the early stages and creating several great chances Swans seemed to lose their way late in the half and MK Dons were starting to get into the game.

Swans started the second half as they ended the first and Roberto Martinez made a surprise substitution on 55 minutes taking off the influential Andy Robinson for Tom Butler. With Shaun McDonald coming off second best more ofter than not against full back Dean Lewington, Robbo’s substitution seemed perverse.

That substitution of Robbo was made to look even more bizarre on 63 minutes when Guillem Bauza limped off with what looked like a thigh strain. He was replaced by Darryl Duffy, but it meant Swans had to play the last 30 minutes with no further substitutions available and with Darren Way and Kris O’Leary already, unsurprisingly, showing signs of fatigue.

On 68 minutes referee Mr Bates spotted an infringement that nobody else saw and awarded MK Dons a free kick 30 yards out. Swans players were slow to take up positions and seemed to invite Jemal Johnson to shoot. He took up the invitation and thundered his shot past Dorus de Vries to put the Dons in front.

From there Swans never really looked like getting anything out the game. Whilst the defence was solid, the midfield looked jaded with only Tom Butler providing any kind of threat. Shaun McDonald was given no chance whatsoever by Dean Lewington and whilst Darren Way and Kris O’Leary battled hard they are not the type of attacking central midfield player that was needed at this stage of the game.

Up front Brandy and Duffy were not given the service they needed but Duffy’s control was poor and he looked out of sorts again.

In the end Swans were probably glad not to concede a second.

For once Roberto Martinez seemed to get it totally wrong but all is not lost and surely he will now call on his big guns for the second leg.

Ratings –

De Vries 6 – Didn’t get down quickly enough for the goal.  

Rangel 6- Not the attacking threat he normally is.
Monk 7 – Solid but distribution not brilliant.
Tate 7 – Almost scored with a volley.
Painter 6 – Again as with Rangel didn’t get forward much.  

Anderson – Given 60 seconds.
Way 7 – A good return for an hour but tired late on.
O’ Leary 6 – Solid in defence but also tired and offers little in attack.
Robinson 8 – Good 55 minutes before surprise substitution.

Bauza 8 – Some lovely touches and excellent link play.
Brandy 6- Probably should have scored at least one of the chances he had.

 Subs-  

McDonald 5 – Given man of match in stadium but for what I’ve no idea.
Butler 7 – Only midfielder to provide anything late on.
Duffy 4 – Really has lost his way now.

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Swansea: De Vries, Rangel, Tate, Monk, Painter, Robinson (Butler 56), O'Leary, Way, Anderson (MacDonald 1), Bauza (Duffy 64), Brandy.
Subs Not Used: Austin, Allen.

Milton Keynes Dons: Gueret, O'Hanlon, Diallo, Swailes, Lewington, Cameron (Stirling 64), Navarro, Andrews, Dyer (Baldock 90), Johnson, Gallen (Carbon 89).
Subs Not Used: Howell, Abbey.

Booked: Lewington, Andrews, Navarro.

Goals: Johnson 69.

Att: 10,125

Ref: Tony Bates (Staffordshire).

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