Match Report

Swansea City v Walsall
After an excellent performance brought no points on Saturday, Roberto Martinez would have been hoping for another decent performance for the visit of Walsall in the Carling Cup.

There were wholesale changes to Saturday's line up with only Dorus de Vries, Alan Tate, Marcos Painter and Leon Britton retaining their places as Roberto Martinez sought to give the rest of his squad a run out. Garry Monk returned from injury and there were debuts for youngster Joe Allen and Spaniard Guillem Bauza.



Walsall came with a full strength team packed with experience including veterans Paul Hall and Tommy Mooney.

Side- De Vries, Tate, Monk, Austin, Painter, Britton, O'Leary, Allen, Anderson, Craney, Bauza. Subs- Hawthorne, Rangel, Robinson, Duffy, Scotland.

Swans started with Guillem Bauza playing as a lone striker with Ian Craney playing just behind him. Walsall looked a big physical side all around the pitch and it was soon evident this would not be an easy victory.



Things didn't go according to plan early on with a dreadful error from Garry Monk putting Paul Hall through. Hall slipped the ball through to Daniel Fox and with just De Vries to beat he thumped the ball over the bar.

The game was lacking any sort of pattern early on with neither side retaining possession very well.

Too often Swans were devoid of ideas and moves ended with high balls pumped up to Bauza, who although winning his fair share of headers, had nobody close enough to collect his flick ons.



On 16 minutes Garry Monk hit a dreadful pass to Alan Tate who was hugging the touch line on the right. Tatey tried to be too clever and attempted to hit the ball straight back to his keeper. The ball never got near to Dorus De Vries and landed at the feet of Tommy Mooney. Mooney had just De Vries to beat but the Dutch keeper came off his line quickly to block Mooney's effort.

After looking second best for the first 20 minutes it was a relief for Swans to take the lead. Joe Allen picked the ball up outside the area and ran at the heart of the Walsall defence. He cleverly lifted the ball past the centre halves and raced through to collect the ball on the bye line. His excellent cross looked perfect for Bauza, but was partially cleared by a defenders header. It fell perfectly for Paul Anderson just outside the box and he fired his right foot volley into the corner of the net giving Clayton Ince in the Walsall goal no chance.

The goal seemed to transform the game and the Swans suddenly looked more confident and started to dominate.



There were further chances for Ian Craney and Paul Anderson and Walsall were denied any meaningful possession with Garry Monk and Kevin Austin snuffing out the rare attacks.

Swans were good value for the 1-0 half time score.

Paul Anderson didn't reappear for the second half and was replaced by Andy Robinson.

Walsall started the second half with a string of corners that Swans defended well. On 54 minutes Walsall almost equalised when Tommy Mooney wasn't picked up at a corner. His free header looked goal bound but Dorus De Vries stuck out a boot and cleared the danger.

On 63 minutes Jason Scotland replaced Leon Britton. Ian Craney dropped deeper into centre midfield and the impressive Joe Allen moved across to the right of midfield.



Ten minutes later Guillem Bauza was replaced by Daryl Duffy. Bauza received warm applause for his hard work and tireless running.

Swans were looking much the better side but not creating the clear chance that could kill the game off.

With ten minutes to go Alan Tate seemed to pick up a foot injury which saw him limp through the rest of the game. Garry Monk was suffering form cramp and young Joe Allen looked out on his feet. One thing for certain Roberto Martinez would not have wanted extra time with no substitutions left.

Ian Craney had a chance to finish things but delayed his shot and then fired into the legs of a defender.



With just seconds remaining Swans won a free kick on the half way line. Marcos Painter fed the ball through to Jason Scotland wide on the left. He drifted in field before unleashing a powerful drive with the minimum of backlit. The ball flew past Ince in the Walsall goal and would have come close to bursting the net.

It was a fitting end to another good performance.

Ratings

De Vries 7 – What little he had to deal with, he dealt with well.

Tate 6 – Another dreadful mistake, this time in didn't cost us a goal.
Monk 7 – A little rusty but a steadying influence.
Austin 7- We all worry about Big Kev up against pace, but when it comes to a physical battle there's usually only one winner.
Painter 6- Must have gifted possession away about 8 times tonight. Not at his best.

Britton 7 – Back approaching his best.
Allen 8 - Outstanding debut, looked for the ball all night and never afraid to try things'
O'Leary 7- In cycling terms he's our water carrier. Not the most creative but does the destroying role in midfield well.
Anderson 8- Superb goal and caused Walsall worries throughout the first half.

Craney 6- Looked happier in midfield but missed yet another chance.
Bauza 7 – Ran his heart out.

Subs-

Robinson 7 – Saw plenty of the ball and did well.
Duffy 6 – Missed one fairly easy chance that he would probably have buried at the end of last year.
Scotland 8- Strong as an ox with a lovely touch. Superb goal and looks a wonderful replacement for Lee Trundle.

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