Match Report

Swans hold West Brom to goalless draw

Kristian O'Leary lasted only 14 minutes of his testimonial match as Swansea City fought out an encouraging goalless draw with West Bromwich Albion.

O'Leary was given a guard of honour and a rousing reception before kick-off, but he had to be replaced early because of a bout of flu. The long-serving local lad was left to watch on as Roberto Martinez's men produced a promising performance which bodes well for their trip to Charlton next Saturday.

Both sides were close to full strength - injuries aside - as the start of the competitive stuff looms. Martinez went for Matty Collins ahead of Alan Tate at right-back, Tom Butler and Mark Gower out wide and Guillem Bauza up front on his own.

Gorka Pintado probably would have played but for the groin injury picked up at Chester on Thursday, but there was some good news in the attacking department with Jason Scotland deemed fit enough to play the last 10 minutes. West Brom included as many as 10 players who could be involved when they kick off the new Premier League season at Arsenal in a fortnight's time.

Albion are back in the top flight after winning the Championship title last May, but it was the current League One champions who carried the greater threat in the first period. Swansea kept the ball admirably against a side who became known for knocking it around last term.

Jordi Gomez had the first sighter of the afternoon, an ambitious long-range volley which sailed over the top.

The best move of the half came on 20 minutes, Ferrie Bodde playing a neat reverse ball to Gomez, who stepped away from a challenge before feeding Tom Butler down the left.

The Irishman left right-back Carl Hoefkens behind as he cut inside and fired a low shot which Dean Kiely palmed away at his near post.

West Brom's only first-half effort of note was a 25-yarder from James Morrison which arrowed into the arms of Dorus de Vries.

Gomez wanted a penalty when he tumbled under Jonathan Greening's challenge, then the on-loan Espanyol man shot straight at Kiely from distance. A run and cross from Gower ended with Bauza scooping an awkward volley over the bar. Albion boss Tony Mowbray sent on new signing Scott Carson at the break, and within four minutes the England international denied Swansea the lead.

When Marcos Painter lifted the ball over the top, Bauza broke the offside trap and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. But Carson stood tall to save as the striker tried to place a shot in the corner.

Morrison's run created Albion's best chance just before the hour, but winger Chris Brunt dragged his shot wide from the edge of the box. With Bodde pulling the strings, Swansea continued to have the better of it. But the Baggies came within inches of going ahead when Paul Robinson met Brunt's corner with a header which flashed across the face.

Substitute Albert Serran than started the best move of the match, lofting a ball to Bauza in the centre circle. He slipped a pass through for Febian Brandy, who twisted and turned his way through a couple of challenges before looking for Darren Pratley. Under pressure from the covering defence and off balance, the midfielder could only send his shot wide of the target.

Swansea: de Vries, Collins (Tate 84), Monk (Serran 75), Williams , Painter, O'Leary (capt, Pratley 14), Gomez (Allen ht), Bodde (Brandy 64), Gower (Orlandi 75), Butler (Shaun MacDonald 88), Bauza (Scotland 80). Subs not used: Soutar, Lawrence, Tudur Jones, S Morrison.

West Bromwich Albion: Kiely (Carson ht), Hoefkens, Barnett, Clement, Robinson, Greening (capt), Cech, Kim (Beattie 73), J Morrison, Brunt, Sherjill MacDonald. Subs not used: Hogkiss, Pele, Slusarski.

Referee: Dean John (Swansea).

Attendance: 5,996.

Booked: None.

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