Match Report

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After the poor performance on Saturday, Swans had the chance to get their season back on track against Paul Sturrock's Swindon Town. Swindon have started the season well and went into tonight's game lying 6th, four places above the Swans.

Roberto Martinez made a couple of changes to the starting line up with Darryl Duffy replacing Warren Feeney in attack and Paul Anderson preferred to Andrea Orlandi. Joe Allen who was a surprise omission from the 16 on Saturday made it onto the bench tonight.

Side- De Vries, Rangel, Lawrence, Monk, Painter, Anderson, Pratley, Bodde, Butler, Duffy, Scotland. Subs - Knight, Austin, Allen, Orlandi, Feeney.

Ferrie Bodde tried his luck after 60 seconds latching onto a poor punch from Swindon keeper Phil Smith but the Dutch midfielder's effort went well wide.



It was Swindon, however, that started the better and they looked as if they had come to play football and were prepared to attack and not just sit back and waste time from the outset as Brighton had on Saturday.

Swans had a couple of long range efforts and players seemed to be shooting on sight. However, they were having difficulty getting down the wings despite having two out and out wingers on the pitch.

On 19 minutes Swindon right back Jack Smith had treatment for what looked like a broken arm. When the game restarted with a drop ball, Swindon were still a man down. Swans returned the ball to Swindon from the drop ball with a clearance into touch near the corner flag and Swindon managed to gift possession straight back to the Swans. Jason Scotland skinned his marker and sent over a low cross that just evaded Darryl Duffy but Paul Anderson followed up and drove the ball into the corner of the net from 15 yards.

Swindon bounced straight back and Billy Paynter would have equalised but for a terrific save from Dorus De Vries. A minute later and again Swans were reliant on De Vries as he pushed away a goal bound header form a poorly defended corner.



Swindon were looking likely to equalise at any time with Paynter, Cardiff born Christian Roberts and Simon Cox all causing the Swans defence problems.

Referee Mr McDermid, who this season seems to be going for some sort of record with the number of yellow and red cards he has brandished, booked Swindon's Paynter and Roberts and Swans Darren Pratley late in the half.

Tom Butler and Jason Scotland had shots at goal but it was Swindon that ended the half the stronger.

Darryl Duffy was replaced at half time by Warren Feeney.



Swindon were quickly out of the blocks in the second half and Swans were very much on the back foot. Roberts was having a growing influence on the game and Swindon were soon dominating possession.

Swans were relying on breakaways but almost caught Swindon cold with shots from Tom Butler and Jason Scotland that Phil Smith did well to keep out.

Christian Roberts almost equalised with a left foot shot that flew wide after he had made a mazy run from the touchline to a chorus of boos from the East Stand.



Swindon got their deserved equaliser on 69 minutes and it was no surprise that Roberts was the scorer. Jamie Vincent started the move from left back, his chip forward was headed down by Paynter into the path of Craig Easton. Easton's ball to Roberts was perfection and Roberts finish was superb giving De Vries no chance. Roberts let himself down by taunting the East Stand with his petty 'Ayatollah'.

Roberto Martinez responded by bringing on Andrea Orlandi for Paul Anderson. Orlandi went to the left and Tom Butler switched to the right. The substitution proved a masterpiece immediately as Butler easily rounded left back Vincent and sent over a perfect cross that left Phil Smith stranded and Warren Feeney was on hand to head home from 3 yards.

Swindon picked up the gauntlet again and Roberto Martinez made his final substitution taking Jason Scotland off and bringing on Joe Allen to bolster the midfield.



The goal and Christian Roberts's antics had whipped the East Stand into a frenzy and the atmosphere was terrific for the final 15 minutes.

The game remained very open but Swans retained possession well and Swindon were starved of the ball and chances late on.

On the stroke of full time Swindon did get the ball in the Swans net but thankfully Mr McDermid spotted Simon Cox's blatant hand ball.

Swans ran down the clock successfully for the final 3 minutes of injury time and move into sixth place after this hard fought victory against a useful Swindon outfit.



Ratings-

De Vries 8 - Another excellent display.

Rangel 7 - Didn't get forward as much as usual but defended well.
Lawrence 6 - One really hairy moment late on.
Monk 8 - Pick of the defence.
Painter 6 - Up against a tricky winger in Roberts.

Anderson 7 - Never afraid to shoot or run at people. Took his goal really well.
Pratley 6 - Still way off his best.
Bodde 7 - Solid in the tackle but radar was offline for his passing at times.
Butler 7 - Provided the perfect cross for the winner.

Duffy 7 - His runs made a huge difference to us in the first half.
Scotland 6 - Seemed rather laboured.

Subs-
Feeney 7 - With Swans under the cosh for much of the second half, had to do a lot of tracking back and defending. Still managed to be in just the right place to notch the all important second goal.
Orlandi 7- Looked classy and held the ball up well.
Allen 7 - Help bolster the midfield late on and deny Swindon possession.

Swansea: De Vries, Painter, Lawrence, Monk, Rangel, Bodde, Pratley, Anderson (Orlandi 74), Butler, Scotland (Allen 76), Duffy (Feeney 46).
Subs Not Used: Knight, Austin.

Booked: Pratley.

Goals: Anderson 21, Feeney 74.

Swindon: Phil Smith, Jack Smith (Comminges 22), Vincent, Ifil, Sam Collins (Pook 89), Peacock, Zaaboub (McGovern 75), Easton, Roberts, Paynter, Cox.
Subs Not Used: Sturrock, Mohamed.

Booked: Roberts, Paynter.

Goals: Roberts 70.

Att: 10,135

Ref: Danny McDermid (Middlesex).

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