Swansea City made a bright start against an Oxford side that went down from the second division with them last season but failed to make the breakthrough over 90 minutes.

Gareth Phillips came close to giving them a first minute lead with a 25 yard effort that flew just over the bar.

Chris Todd was also too high with an angled drive from a David Romo free-kick and a cross by Stuart Roberts was palmed away by Oxford goalkeeper Ian McCaldon.

But the Swans then ran out of steam and Joe Beauchump set up Andy Scott, whose shot on the turn beat Roger Freestone but was ruled out for offside.

Scott was just wide with a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area after he robbed Todd and Dave Savage was too high from thirty yards.

Swansea new-boy Mamady Sidebe had a shot well held by McCalden after good work by Todd, Michael Howard and Romo as the Swans swept forward again late in the half.

Half time

McCaldon came out smartly to smother a shot from Sidibe in the opening moments of the second half and a shot by Howard, that was deflected by Sam Stockley, wrong footed McCaldon and the keeper did well to make a reflex stop at the foot of the post.

The second half became increasingly scrappy and referee Lee Cable booked five players, four of them in a nine-minute spell.

Chances became few and far between for both sides as the game developed into a midfield battle played in the middle third of the pitch but the Swans were grateful for a great tackle by Todd on Stockley as the Oxford man burst into the penalty area.

Nick Cusack shot just over the bar from a Romo corner but Swansea could not make the break through.

Swansea: Freestone, Todd, Howard, Romo, Jenkins, Cusack, Coates, Phillips, Roberts, Watkin, Sidibe. Subs: Mazzina, Williams, Jones, De-Vulgt, Appleby.

Oxford Utd: McCaldon, Stockley, Guyett, Bolland, Hatswell, Ricketts, Beauchamp, Savage, Brooks, Scott, Thomas. Subs: Knight, Richardson, Gray, Tait, Folland.

Referee: L Cable (Woking)

SWANSEA City skipper Nick Cusack says it is important that his players forget the Martin Thomas factor when they take on Oxford at Vetch Field tomorrow.

Thomas returns to Swansea after signing for Oxford in the summer after a short spell at Brighton at the end of last season and a lot of the talk has been about his early return to the Vetch.

The added spice is that new Oxford manager Mark Wright has made the man the Swansea fans christened Psycho the skipper at the new Kassam Stadium.

But Cusack says the team must concentrate on their own games.

"I am sure Tommo will want to put in a good performance," he said.

"He is a friend of mine and after the game I am sure we will sit down afterwards and have a drink and a chat. But during the game it will be business as usual.

"We all know what Tommo is like as a player. He is strong and combative and that will not change just because he is playing against Swansea.

"There is no doubt he will be looking forward to coming back and he will receive a great reception from the crowd.

"But we have to concentrate on getting the three points and I know that all the players will be able to do that."

Cusack was delighted with the performance at Macclesfield last week but believes it is crucial to carry that forward to tomorrow and the rest of the season.

"Obviously it was a vital win last week," he said. "It was especially good as we were the away team.

"In some ways, although we are at home, this week will be a lot tougher," added Cusack.

"Last week we were feeling our way a little bit and that looked as if that happened at a few grounds because there were a few odd results.

"After losing their first game to Rochdale at home last week, Oxford will be even more determined to put things right this week.

"That could mean they will be looking to keep it really tight and make it difficult for us."

But Cusack reckons that the arrival of Mamady Sidibe could have a good effect on the rest of the Swansea strikeforce.

"It was good to see that we scored three goals against Macclesfield," he said.

"We haven't scored goals on a regular basis for about two seasons, so that is a bonus.

"Mama has shown he can pose a few problems for defences and I think Steve Watkin could benefit from that.

"We have to take that positive attitude into tomorrow and hopefully with a big crowd behind us we can keep the run going.

"The crowd will be important to us. It would be nice if they could turn up in their thousands and support us.

"It will not be easy tomorrow and we will need them to help us.

"But I still have to stress it's early days. We have to keep working on that positive attitude."

Swans look to get their own back for double defeat

JOHN Hollins has told his players to strike an early blow in the fight for promotion when they face Oxford United at Vetch Field tomorrow (3pm).

The Swansea City manager expects Oxford to be at the top end of the Third Division table come next April and knows tomorrow's result could turn out to be crucial. And he is keen to exact some revenge after two defeats at the hands of Oxford during last season's relegation campaign.

"Oxford are another team who came down last season and like us they believe they can do well in this league," said Hollins.

"They've changed their manager and brought in a few new players, including one of our old favourites in Martin Thomas.

"So there's lots to look forward to and I think it will be a good, tough football match.

"It would be very nice for us to get one up on them even this early in the season, especially as we didn't get anything from the two games last year."

Oxford, the only team to finish below Swansea last season, suffered an early setback in their Third Division campaign last week, losing 2-1 at their new Kassam Stadium to Rochdale. Swansea, by contrast, made the perfect start with an encouraging 3-1 away victory over Macclesfield. Even so, Hollins insists there is much room for improvement in the opening home game of the season.

"We are on the right lines but we can certainly get better," he said.

"We can't just settle for what we did last week because we'll soon be in trouble. We can defend better, create more and pass with more finesse.

"Hopefully we will do all that and win the game in front of a big crowd at the Vetch — though I'm not bothered what happens as long as we win."

Hollins could include midfielder Michael Keegan tomorrow. Keegan has recovered from the groin strain which kept him out last weekend, but long-term casualties Jason Smith and Ryan Casey are still not ready to return.

Andrew Mumford and Damian Lacey are also out injured, while Matthew Bound remains under suspension.

Joey Beauchamp's prospects of returning to the Oxford United side at Swansea this Saturday increased further last night when manager Mark Wright praised the application and attitude he showed in the derby win at Oxford City.

Beauchamp, who played no part in the U's opening Division 3 game of the season, a 2-1 home defeat by Rochdale, laid on three of the four goals and also hit the post as a strong United Reserves side won 4-2 at Court Place Farm in Tuesday's hastily-arranged friendly.

And Wright said: "One very big plus from the game for me was that Joey Beauchamp put himself about right through the match, and he has put himself in put contention for Swansea.

"Joey showed me a lot. There's no doubting what ability he has got. If there has been a question mark over him, it's over his application and whether the lad is too laid back and doesn't get stuck in enough.

"But his attitude was excellent and he showed me he wants to get back in and that's important."

Wright added: "We arranged the game to give all the players who were left out of the side on Saturday a match and me the chance to look at them.

"The Oxford City players were going in hard so it was a good chance for me to see how we responded.

"Sam Ricketts did well in the first half, Simon King showed what a good footballer he is and all through the side, there was a lot of endeavour."

Beauchamp has a history of doing well at Swansea. It was a loan spell to the Vetch Field, during which he scored twice in five games, that launched his career and he scored a brilliant 30-yeard goal on the ground in United's 2-1 victory there last season.

*Former Oxford United midfielder Nicky Banger is having a trial with neighbouring Swindon Town, where Malcolm Crosby is assistant manager, and played for their reserves against Bristol Rovers last night.

SWANSEA City chairman Mike Lewis has called on supporters to turn out in force to showcase the club at Saturday's home clash with Oxford United.

Appealing to ‘uncommitted' fans, he said: "Please consider a trip to the Vetch, show the rest of Wales what Swansea can do in terms of support.

"Send a message to investors that the Swans are alive and kicking and mean business.

"It is down to you. Not only the regular fans, but those who have doubted the club's motives in the past and stayed away. Isn't it time to give the club the benefit of the doubt?"

Lewis, who bought Swansea City last month for £1, is seeking investors as he aims to clear debts of around £800,000 left over from the Ninth Floor era.

The club is being run on a tight budget and will be at least until backers are found.

And after last season's desperate Division Two campaign and a summer of uncertainty at the club, a bumper crowd on Saturday would mean a boost to morale as well as finances.

"Bristol Rovers managed to pass the 10,000 mark for their first game," added Lewis.

"Gates were generally very good and it would be very petty of me not to mention the excellent gate at Ninian Park. How well can we do?

He added: "We are in a time of change — change for the better — so it is vital that the citizens of Swansea put some faith in our motives.

"Motives that are quite simple — security for the future and a reshaped board that makes allowances for the wider interests of Swansea."

Lewis suggested a supporters' representative and an elected member of the city council should sit on a new-look board.

Meanwhile, Swansea reserve Jason Jones and coach Glan Letheren will run a special goalkeepers' course at Olchfa School from 2pm to 4pm tomorrow.

The course costs £5 and boys and girls are welcome. To book call Linden Jones on 01792 633424 or Jane Edwards on 01792 459363.

Former Swans striker and boss John Toshack has followed former chairman Steve Hamer by lending his support to the Swansea City Supporters Trust.

Real Sociedad coach Toshack contacted the organisers of the trust with a message of good luck after hearing of their plans to help save the ailing club.

Toshack faxed the group, and wished them all the best: "I would like to take this opportunity of wishing the Swansea City Supporters Trust every success in their efforts to help the club during these difficult times."

Another name in the club's history pledged his backing yesterday, when former chairman Steve Hamer revealed that any organisation that existed to help the club's future must be applauded.

Welsh soccer clubs are once again near the top of the league for football violence, according to figures released yesterday which show the number of arrests for football-related offences went up 8.1pc last year.

The National Criminal Intelligence Service said arrests for domestic league games in England and Wales stood at 3,391 in the 2000-01 season, compared to 3,138 in 1999-2000. There were also more than 750 arrests in domestic and European club competitions and England and Wales international matches. Swansea City fans accounted for 72 arrests out of a total of 601 for Division Two as a whole last season, second only to Millwall.

And Cardiff City also accounted for more than 10pc of the total arrests in Division Three, with their 40 the second highest in the division. There were 24 arrests among Wrexham fans last season. NCIS warned that new strains of football hooliganism are developing. Bryan Drew, head of specialist intelligence at NCIS, said hooliganism was no longer characterised by the mass terrace affrays and running streets battles of the 1970s and 1980s.

"Football hooliganism is rather different from other organised criminal activities where profit is the main motive but as well as being violent it is also highly organised and attracts other serious criminal activity such as drugs dealing and counterfeiting.

"Travelling supporters provide a market for drugs as well as cover, through weight of numbers, for drug dealers. We think that payment card fraud may help these organised groups to finance travel and other costs." Chief Superintendent Neil Jellings, from South Wales Police, said, "In South Wales, we have two groups of thugs who align themselves with our football teams.

We have taken a strong and pro-active approach to policing, and will continue to do so. "This means that in the short term, arrest figures could actually rise. But we are determined to stamp it out." What do you think of the report? To Have Your Say,

VETCH Field legend John Toshack is the latest big name to back the Swansea City Supporters Trust.

Toshack, now coaching in Spain with Real Sociedad, faxed the trust leaders with a good luck message yesterday after hearing of its plans to help keep the club alive.

The former Swansea boss took the time out to send the fax.

"I would like to take this opportunity of wishing the Swansea City Supporters Trust every success in their efforts to help the club during these difficult times," he wrote.

Toshack joins ex-Swansea chairman Steve Hamer in backing the trust.

Hamer said yesterday he was right behind the moves and supported any group or body that helps to ensure the club stays alive.

The trust organisers have also received a boost for their launch day on August 27 with the news that a signed David Beckham shirt will be auctioned on the day.

Beckham wore the gold and white reversible shirt on Manchester United's recent tour of the Far East and organisers are expecting massive interest for the shirt as well as other items of other memorabilia up for auction at the official launch.

Anyone interested in joining the trust should write to Swansea City Supporters Trust, PO Box 314, Swansea, SA1 7YB for a membership form or telephone Tony Davies on 07866 650363.

A second-string Swansea side ran out 2-1 winners in a friendly at Afan Lido last night.

Andrew Davies gave the League of Wales side a first-half lead, but Richie Appleby's header and a 25-yard drive from Argentinian Nicolas Mazzina gave Swansea victory.

FORMER club chairman Steve Hamer has given his backing to the Swansea City Supporters Trust, which will be officially launched on August 27.

The trust is being set up by fans concerned about the future of the club who are aiming to secure a supporters' representative on the board of directors.

Similar schemes have been set up across England, with Lincoln City recently becoming the first fan-owned club in the Nationwide League.

And Hamer, who was sacked as chairman by Ninth Floor last September, believes Swansea should be the first club in Wales with a trust.

"I am delighted that the Swansea City Supporters Trust is gathering momentum," he said.

"It is imperative that the club survives, so any group or body that assists in that process has to be commended."

Joining the trust will cost just £5 per year, with each member having one vote on any decisions made. Putting more money in will not give individuals any more power.

"The money will be used to get the whole thing off the ground," explained trust spokesperson Marilyn Croft.

"Our goal is to be able to buy shares in Swansea City in order to get a director on the board and eventually to buy the club.

"We are doing this to secure league football continues in Swansea for generations to come."

The trust will be launched at the Patti Pavilion, Victoria Park at 5.30pm on bank holiday Monday, August 27 — straight after Swansea's home game with Cheltenham.

Interest in the trust has been gathering steadily since the first meeting of worried fans back in July.

Now organisers are hoping for a huge turnout at the launch, where an auction of football memorabilia will be held to raise funds.

"We are really buzzing about the interest because we are fans ourselves," added Croft.

Write to Swansea City Supporters Trust, PO Box 314, Swansea SA1 7YB for a membership form, or telephone Tony Davies on 07866 6506363.

Any businesses interested in sponsoring the trust are also urged to get in touch.

Swans fans unite to give team full support

SWANSEA City fans are being urged to vote with their feet and support their team at Vetch Field on Saturday.

David Morgan of the Independent Travelling Swans says he is fed up of the negativity among some sets of fans regarding the club's new owners and financial problems.

Now he wants to rally the troops to get behind the players starting with the home match against Oxford.

"I want supporters to forget all the negative talk which has been flying around lately," he said.

"There has been a lot of talk about possible investors at the club.

"If they are around, which I believe they are, then we as fans should prove to them that Swansea City is a club worth investing in.

"All talk of possible boycotts should be put to one side and we should get behind the team."

Morgan believes some fans are not fully behind acting chairman Mike Lewis but he reckons Lewis should be given a chance.

"We have to give the benefit of the doubt," he said.

"The potential investors/buyers need to see the positive side of the club and be shown that Swansea City is a club worth saving. We need to show that the club can again become a success under a new regime."

Morgan's words were backed up by Wayne Davies, who runs Amman Sports Tours, and Ugo Vallerio from Foscfa, the official Swansea City travel club.

"Those people who are knocking the club should put up or shut up," he said.

"I took a good number of fans with me on Saturday up to Macclesfield and the support was great. The result I think put will put 1,000 on Saturday's home gate. We have to support the team."

Vallerio also took a group of supporters up to Cheshire and was in agreement about this Saturday's match.

"Whether the fans like it or not, we are now in the Third Division and we have got the board we have got," he said.

"They have to get the benefit of the doubt. I am totally behind this call to arms and I want to see as many fans as possible at the Vetch on Saturday.

"Boycotts do the club no good at all. We are all Swansea City fans and the players need our support. Let's give it to them."

Skipper Nick Cusack has been given the all-clear to take on his old club on Saturday.

Cusack was taken off with a head injury in the 3-1 win over Macclesfield and it was feared he was concussed after a stray elbow had caught him on the head.

He left the pitch with a huge swelling on his forehead but following medical check-ups concussion was ruled out.

Meanwhile a Swansea City XI will take on League of Wales side Afan Lido in Port Talbot tonight (7pm) and Welsh League side Morriston Town on Thursday (7pm).

New striker Mamady Sidibe has revealed that Swansea fans are more passionate than those in France, and is delighted to have scored for the club.

Sidibe notched his first league goal for the club in Saturday's 3-1 win at Macclesfield, and said: "My job is to score goals, and if selected, that's what I want to do.

"It will be hard because people know Swansea will be among the favourites and will raise their game against us. However, if we play as we can, we can do well."

He added that he was delighted that the Vetch fans seemed to have taken to him, and that he had already noticed that the main difference between Swansea and the club he had played for in Paris was the passion of the fans. "That's a real boost," he said. "I'm very happy to be here."

Sidibe has now found a house in the city and is in the process of moving in.

Ref injury decision blasted

The Swans have attacked the way referee Mike Ryan handled a head injury sustained by captain Nick Cusack during Saturday's win at Macclesfield. Cusack took an elbow to the forehead which forced him to leave the field and eventually be substituted.

The club doctor has since confirmed that it is not concussion, which would have ruled out the skipper for a fortnight, but assistant manager Alan Curtis said: "We were under the impression that for any head injury, the game had to be stopped immediately. If so, why didn't the ref allow Nick to be treated on the field?

"He was dazed but the ref just let the game go on, and eventually told him that he had to go off if he wanted attention. That left us with just 10 men whilst we decided whether we had to take him off, and it was obvious there really was a problem - there was a big lump which everyone could see."

SWANSEA City manager John Hollins insists there is much more to come from his side despite their impressive 3-1 opening-day win over Macclesfield Town.

Hollins's side made the perfect start to the new Third Division season in what had looked like a tricky trip to Moss Rose.

But Gareth Phillips and new signing Mamady Sidibe scored early goals before Steve Watkin's late penalty left the Swansea management and players clearly delighted at the final whistle.

But Hollins suggested his side could and would move up a gear as they chase an immediate return to the Second Division this season.

"It's a terrific start, getting three points and scoring three goals on the first day of the new season," he said.

"But I'm still not satisfied. I want more. There are so many things which we can improve on."

Swansea were put under significant pressure in the second half as the home side chased an equaliser but the back-four stood firm to secure a much-needed morale-boosting win.

After last season's miserable relegation campaign and a summer of uncertainty at Vetch Field, the relief at the end was clear to see.

Now Hollins is only looking ahead.

"Last season is gone," he said. "We have put it behind us and I think the fans have also forgotten it too.

"They were in really good voice. They went to Macclesfield expecting something from us and they got it. Full credit to them."

He added: "Oxford next Saturday is now a massive game for us and the bigger the crowd at the Vetch the better."

Macclesfield manager Gil Prescott, meanwhile, felt his side could easily have gone on to win after Lee Glover's controversial penalty had hauled them back into the game shortly before the interval.

Nevertheless, Prescott was quick to praise Swansea, saying: "I thought they were a very good, tidy side.

"They could certainly be up there challenging in the top three of the table come the end of the season."

An impressive performance set Swansea off to a flying start in their Division Three campaign as they beat Macclesfield 3-1 at Moss Rose.

In an explosive opening period, Stuart Roberts lit the blue touch paper for the Swans as he crossed for Gareth Phillips to head home.

Buoyed by that early strike, the visitors took control and doubled their advantage with 20 minutes gone when Roberts crossed again for Mamady Sidibe to score.

Macclesfield were given a lifeline 12 minutes before the break when Swansea skipper Nick Cusack was adjudged to have pushed Darren Tinson in the area.

Lee Glover made no mistake from the penalty spot to put the home side back in touch.

After the break, the hosts came out more brightly and were unlucky not to find an equaliser when Chris Byrne hit the post and Glover saw his goalbound shot blocked on the line by a team-mate.

But the points were sealed by Swansea in the 88th minute when Jonathan Coates was brought down in the area by Dave Ridler, allowing Steve Watkin to thump home the spot-kick.

John Hollins was toasting new hero Mamady Sidibe with a glass of vintage French water last night.

His Swans got off to a dream start at ram-shackle Moss Road. All the despair of last season's relegation evaporated into the grey Cheshire sky as Gil Prescott's Silk men were tied up in knots by Sidibe's perfect cocktail of raw aggression and skill. The 21-year-old Frenchman ran Macclesfield ragged. He set up Gareth Phillips's crucial fifth minute opener and then added a crucial second 17 minutes later himself.

Ex-Wrexham favourite Steve Watkin bagged a third from the spot four minutes from time to seal the points and Hollins was struggling to conceal his delight later. The Londoner beamed: "I feel like drinking a glass of Chardonnay tonight, but I'll have to be content with cool French water, because I have to drive home later, but I think I will have a baguette crowned with frog legs!

"The ex-Chelsea manager was positively enthusing over Sidibe declaring: "He can't speak a word of English, but just think what he'll be like when he can understand instructions. "But I had a team of heroes out there. Nick Cusack, Gareth Phillips, Stuart Roberts - there were so many. "And Hollins is now calling for the Swansea fans to roll in to the Vetch Field for next Saturday's clash with Mark Wright's Oxford United. He said: "This club has to move forward as a unit - I'm including the players, fans, directors and myself in that. "This is a terrific win and I hope to see our fans responding.

"And even the Silkmens' boss Prescott is now a converted Swansea supporter. He enthused: "OK, I'll grumble and say that this was a false scoreline and we could have won – particularly if we'd got the score back to 2-2 in the second half. "But you have to say Swansea looked a very tidy side. They were solid at the back and lively upfront.

That Sidibe was a right handful - where did John Hollins get him from? "I think the Swans are bound to be up there at the end of the season -they'll be among the Third Division pace-setters all right! "Hollins was trumping the Silkmen before kick-off by including unsettled Welsh Under 21international Stuart Roberts on the right side of midfield. There is also a debut in British football for the towering Sidibe, but the other summer signings, Nicolas Mazzina and John Williams, were both marooned on the bench. On five minutes the Vetch side were in front in wonderful fashion.

Roberts centred from the right, Sidibe skilfully pulled back and Phillips drove into the net from 12yards.One minute later Hollins's army almost wounded their rivals again. Roberts again waltzed past Danny Adams on the right but Michael Howard's towering header sailed inches wide. Kris O'Leary was then frustrated as his looping header struck the bar, but a delighted Hollins was punching the air on22 minutes as his Swans walked into dreamland. Roberts - so effective on the right - sparked the menace and after Jon Coates had powered against the woodwork, Sidibe smashed home there rebound.

The Silkmen finally replied on 35 minutes as Lee Glover lashed in a penalty after Nick Cusack had needlessly held Darren Tinson in the box. Macclesfield were launching a host of raids after the interval and they should have levelled on 67minutes.Glover turned Michael Howard deep in the area, but Lightbourne failed to touch into a gaping net.

Substitute Richard Tracey then went close and the Swans were lucky to survive on 73 minutes as Byme's swerving drive took a massive deflection off defender Chris Todd. But Macclesfield were down and out on four minutes from the whistle as Watkin drilled in Swansea's third from the spot after Coates who had evaded two strong challenges was crunched by stopper Lee Martin in the box.