The official launch meeting of the new Swansea City Supporters Trust will take place after Monday's home game against Cheltenham.

The meeting will be held at the city's Patti Pavillion with the proceedings kicking-off at 5:30pm, 45 minutes after the end of the game.

Anyone interested is welcome and will be asked to contribute £5 towards the aim of raising enough money to purchase a seat of the new board at the club.

A number of ex-Swans players are expected to attend, and there will also be an auction of football memorabilia.

Swans hit by double striker blow

John Hollins has been hit by a double blow with the news that strikers Steve Watkin and John Williams will miss tomorrow's clash with Cheltenham.

Watkin injured his knee after just nine minutes in yesterday's 3-0 defeat at the hand of Lincoln City, and will now be out for at least a month.

Speaking to the club's official website physio Richard Evans said: "Watto has damaged his medial ligaments, and in a 'best case' scenario that usually means a 4-6 week layoff." Meanwhile Williams, who replaced Watkin, injured his ankle whilst attempting a shot on goal and will also miss Cheltenham's trip to Vetch Field. However the news is slightly better for Williams who is expected to be out for just a week.

"John Williams has sprained his ankle ligaments and the only cure is rest. With next week's game off it should mean he will miss only one game," Evans said.

Midfielder Gareth Phillips is back in training after missing yesterday's defeat although it is unsure whether he will be fit enough for tomorrow's tie.

Meanwhile former Swans defender Steve Jones will miss the trip to his former club after picking up an injury in his sides 2-1 defeat at Luton last Saturday.

A DREAM turns into reality tomorrow when Swansea City fans officially launch their Football Trust,a body they hope will give a future to the troubled Welsh side writes Gary Baker.

But the Trust,formed just a few weeks ago at a meeting at Swansea's Brangwyn Hall,have rejected suggestions made around the city that they are just a bunch of "internet anoraks".

Former Vetch Field greats like John Toshack have given rousing endorsment after it began as just a formulative chat in a pub a few weeks ago.

Now they are on course to raise at least £5000 and have already been offered a seat on the Swansea City board by Vetch supremo Mike Lewis should they raise enough capital.

They are expecting about 1,000 people from across the city to attend the launch which will include several players and messages from stars like Toshack and Max Boyce,at the Patti Pavillion at 5.30pm.

But to be branded as nothing more than an internet group has astonished the Trust.

One member said: "We are Swansea City supporters first and foremost and people in the steering comittee are professionals" "We totally deny that we are internet anoraks as has been said by some people"

"This is now worldwide,we have had peopel e-mailing us from all over Britain and the world asking for multiple application forms to join the Trust" "There is even a group called Global Jacks who want to get involved"

The Trust will hold a raffle(and auction) with several big donatons including a David Beckham shirt at the launch.

Swansea's problems continued to mount as Lincoln's three quickfire goals in the second half condemned them to another defeat at Sincil Bank.

Swansea boss John Hollins reshuffled the side which nosedived out of the Worthington Cup to Peterborough in midweek.

French raider Mamady Sidibe returned to the attack and there was also a start for unsettled Welsh under-21 international Stuart Roberts.

Hollins also handed a League debut to swashbuckling link-man Nicolas Mazzina, the 22-year-old Argentinean slotting alongside veteran Nick Cusack, who was also back in the line up.

Storm clouds had gathered around the stadium from before kick-off and the Swans had to ride out a storm in the opening few minutes.

Full-back Lee Jenkins saw yellow for pole-axing Peter Gain on the left after just four minutes and there were early scares for the visitors as Lee Thorpe and Steve Holmes had efforts charged away.

Swansea were reeling by midway through the second half as they conceded three goals in the space of 22 stunning second-half minutes.

Swansea trailed on 49 minutes, Kingsley Black hitting a curling ball from the left which Thorpe volleyed home from eight yards.

Lincoln then threw away a couple of gilt-edged chances, but it didn't matter as they doubled their lead from the spot on 63 minutes.

Young defender Chris Todd needlessly chopped down Thorpe in the box and Steve Holmes smashed home the resulting penalty.

And it got worse for the Swans with just 23 minutes remaining and Todd was again the villain.

The 20-year-old youngster was muscled out by Thorpe, the ex-Blackpool striker advancing to net with a crisp finish.

Teams:
Lincoln City: Marriott, Barnett, Bimson, Holmes, Morgan, Black, Finnigan, Sedgemore, Gain, Thorpe, Battersby. Subs: Walker, Brown, Pettinger, Buckley, Cameron.
Swansea: Freestone, Jenkins, Howard, O'Leary, Todd, Coates, Mazzina, Cusack, Roberts, Sidibe, Watkin. Subs: Romo, Williams, Jones, Keegan, De-Vulgt. Referee: J Ross (Chingford)

Swansea manager John Hollins has a trio of players out injured as his side attempt to bounce back from their 2-0 Worthington Cup defeat by Peterborough.

Hollins will be without defender Jason Smith, midfielder Damien Lacey and striker Ryan Casey. They are all expected to be out for a week to 10 days.

Smith's defensive partner Matt Bound also misses the game due to suspension but he will be available for Swansea's home game with Cheltenham on Monday.

Lincoln boss Alan Buckley is expected to name an unchanged side as the Imps entertain Swansea.

The Sincil Bank chief has no fresh injury worries to hamper his plans and is expected to keep faith with the same team who were beaten 2-1 by Grimsby in the Worthington Cup.

Defender Grant Brown should again start on the bench as he continues his comeback from a seven-month injury lay-off.

Midfielder Paul Smith remains sidelined with a back problem though.

The Imps will go into the game still searching for their first win of the new campaign but, according to assistant boss Keith Alexander, the performances so far have given plenty of encouragement.

SWANSEA City boss John Hollins has urged his players to fire their way to a minimum four-point haul over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Hollins's squad travel to Lincoln City tomorrow (3pm) before welcoming Cheltenham Town to Vetch Field on Monday.

And the Swansea boss is hoping to build on his side's promising start to the Third Division season by stretching their unbeaten league run to four games.

"I would happily settle for a win and a draw in the two games," he said.

"But we'll go for all three points at Lincoln. We scored three goals away from home against Macclesfield and we want more of the same tomorrow.

"We haven't scored yet at home, but we'll do it the hard way if we have to — getting the goals away from the Vetch."

Since their impressive opening day win at Moss Rose, Hollins's side have failed to muster a goal in two home matches.

Against Peterborough and particularly Oxford, they created shooting opportunities but failed to take advantage.

"It's just about finishing. We need to show a killer instinct in and around the box," added Hollins.

"I would rather my players shoot and miss than not shoot at all. I think it will come."

Under new boss Alan Buckley, Lincoln have made a slow start to the season. They have lost to Halifax and Grimsby and drew at Rushden & Diamonds.

And last time Swansea played at Sincil Bank, in the opening weeks of the Division Three championship campaign in 1999, a Jason Price header sealed a 1-0 win.

"That augurs well, but I have had reports on Lincoln so far this season and they have been unlucky.

"They have brought in some new players and made a few changes and I think it will be extremely tough, just like every other game in this division."

Stuart Roberts, Gareth Phillips and Chris Todd will be in Swansea's 18-strong squad having recovered from minor knocks.

Jason Smith, Damian Lacey and Ryan Casey all remain out with long-term injuries, while Matthew Bound completes his four-match ban.

Lincoln are expected to keep the same team which lost to Grimsby in the Worthington Cup in midweek.

They led against their First Division neighbours after a fine first-half display only to go down 2-1 thanks to a last-minute goal.

The pattern has been similar in all three of their games so far this term and Buckley was a little disheartened after defeat by his old club.

"We've got no luck going for us at the moment. All the luck out there fell to them and there seems little we can do about it."

Swansea from: Freestone, Howard, Jenkins, O'Leary, Todd, Roberts, Cusack, Phillips, Mazzina, Coates, Romo, Watkin, Sidibe, Williams, De-Vulgt, Jones, Appleby, Keegan

Lincoln from: Walker, Marriott, Barnett, Bimson, Morgan, Holmes, Sedgemore, Black, Finnigan, Thorpe, Gain, Battersby, Cameron, Walker, Pettinger, Brown, Buckley.

W HEN Gareth Phillips is away from Vetch Field, he likes to keep his distance from football.

But when he puts on a Swansea City shirt, he tends to get right in the thick of it.

Along with giant striker Mamady Sidibe, the pint-sized 22-year-old has played the starring role in Swansea's promising start to the new Third Division season.

Phillips, from Pontypridd, has been the chief irritant to the three sides Swansea have faced so far. And the midfielder's hard-working approach means he is becoming increasingly popular with Vetch Field fans.

"I'm just enjoying playing in the first team because I did not expect to be in the starting line-up at the beginning of the season," said Phillips.

"I would have settled for a place on the bench.

"I thought I played okay when I got in for the last 10 games of last year.

"That spell got me used to the pace of the first team and stood me in good stead for this season. Now hopefully if I can keep going John Hollins will have no reason to change things and I'll stay in the side."

Hollins, who described Phillips's display against Oxford as magnificent, will not be able to leave the Welsh under-21 international out if he continues to score goals from his midfield-anchor position.

Phillips notched his first senior strike and Swansea's first of the new campaign with a cool finish at Macclesfield.

"Scoring gave me a great feeling — especially as everyone has kept on telling me to get into the box and add goals to my game," said Phillips.

The goal at Moss Rose capped a remarkable rise for Phillips, who made his Swans debut as a trainee way back in 1996.

His first league start came early last season, but by January this year he had been sent on loan to Merthyr Tydfil.

Having returned to the Vetch, Phillips's fine form at the end of the Second Division relegation campaign earned him a first under-21 cap in the game with Ukraine in March and a new two-year Swansea contract.

Now he is looking to steer Swansea towards another shot at Division Two.

And despite a self-proclaimed lack of knowledge, Phillips believes Hollins's men can bounce straight back up.

"When I go home I go away from football — I might watch the occasional game, but I'm no Statto," he joked.

"I do know that every game in this division is hard and every team could

"At Lincoln, we must find the cutting edge which was missing against Oxford and in the first half against Peterborough and try to get another win under our belts."

Ahead of a weekend double-header in Division Three, Lincoln City captain John Finnigan admits the Imps need some points on the board – and quick.

All City have to show for two League games so far is a single point and Finnigan believes they have to get on the winning trail as they prepare to face Swansea at Sincil Bank tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

With a local derby at Scunthorpe to follow on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon, the Imps need to kick-start their season.

"We have to be looking at picking up three points against Swansea," admitted the Imps skipper. "Two games in three days, with the first one at home, gives us the ideal opportunity to put some points on the board and we must grab it.

"We have played well in patches so far especially in the first half of games, but we have to have the strength of mind to turn good performances into winning results."

Swansea arrive at the Bank unbeaten in the League with a win and a draw from their first two games back in the Football League basement following last season's relegation – just one season after winning the Third Division title.

And Finnigan fears they may struggle to make the return trip as quickly against an Imps side which is expected to remain unchanged.

"The Swansea game would appear to be our best chance of picking up maximum points and going into the derby match with Scunthorpe it would provide everyone with a lift," he said.

"I saw Peterborough play Cardiff last weekend when we didn't have a game and they looked pretty ordinary. Yet they beat Swansea 2-0 away in the Worthington Cup on Wednesday which gives me hope.

"Most of the players at Lincoln know what is like to have to adjust to Third Division football after one season in the second and having come straight back down Swansea will be keen to bounce back. Although speaking from experience it is not easy.

"Scunthorpe may have lost their first few games but I fancy them to do well and going there with a win under our belts will give us belief we can get a result there too."

Goals are the name of the game for Tony Battersby as he looks to fire the Imps to a six-point haul over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Lincoln City striker opened his account for the season in Tuesday's 2-1 Worthington Cup defeat at Grimsby Town and he is hungry for more as the Imps prepare for a return to League action.

City face two games in three days, entertaining Swansea on Saturday before travelling to Scunthorpe for the big derby on Monday afternoon – and Battersby is ready.

"It was disappointing to lose at Grimsby but although we played very well in the first half, we have to hold our hands up and say we were beaten by the better team," said Battersby.

"They are two divisions above us and it showed in the end, but we can take heart from the way we played.

"Now what we need to do is take that into the League games at the weekend. We have played some excellent football in patches so far but if we can get six points from these two games our season will be up and running."

The well-built front man is enjoying something of renaissance this term as he starts the season as part of manager Alan Buckley's first-choice strike pair.

Both Battersby (25) and fellow forward Lee Thorpe signed three-year contracts in the summer after impressing Buckley following his arrival as boss.

For Battersby it represents a complete turnaround in fortunes after spending the whole of last season on the free transfer list.

Not one club came in for the services of City's joint-record signing. But things seem to have turned out fine for the man who joined the Imps in a £75,000 deal from Bury in August 1998. Now he is determined to make the most of his second chance.

"I haven't had a great deal of chances so far this season – in fact I think the one at Grimsby was probably my first," said Battersby.

"But if Thorpey and me get the chances we will put them away.

"We know if we want to do well this season we are going to have to get at least 30 goals between us. We are both off the mark now so hopefully we are on our way."

Chris Todd looks certain to be fit for Saturday's trip to Lincoln despite coming off at half-time in Tuesday's Worthington Cup defeat.

Todd took a knock to the thigh in the 2-0 defeat to Peterborough, but considering the injuries that the club currently has, he feels it was right for him to come off.

He said: "It was quite a blow and it did slow me down. With Matthew Bound still suspended and Jason Smith injured it was right that I came off to avoid any further damage."

The young defender, who turned 20 today, has had some treatment on the injury and can not see a problem with him being ready for the trip to Sincil Bank.

The Swans are currently unbeaten in Division Three and they face a Lincoln side who are yet to win a game.

Michael Keegan and Andrew Mumford have both been included in the youth team who will travel to play League of Wales side Blaenrhondda.

Both players have a taste of first-team action but have been include in the youth side for the friendly tonight.

The game is essentially part of the build up to the new South West and Wales Youth Alliance League season.

The game will be Mumford's first taste of action since damaging ankle ligaments in pre-season.

Swans youngster Ben Davis has retained his place in the Wales Youth squad for two Under-19 UEFA Championship at the end of the month.

The 17-year-old is in the party for the trip to Estonia on Sunday, August 26 and the game against Poland in Estonia on August 28.

Lyndon Williams misses out with a ligament injury.

ASSEMBLY First Minister Rhodri Morgan has given his backing to the Swansea City Supporters' Trust.

The aim of the trust, which will be launched on Monday, is to guarantee Swansea City's Football League status for generations to come.

The plan is to buy shares in the club in order to get a fans' representative on the board of directors with a view to a takeover.

Fans are being urged to join by paying an annual £5 membership fee, which gives each member a vote.

Rhodri Morgan said he welcomed the scheme, which he hoped would secure Swansea City's future.

"Every true Welsh football supporter wants to see Swansea flying high again," said Mr Morgan.

"Anything that can be done to ensure the club's future is welcome and gets my full support.

"The club has made a major contribution to football in Wales — the Allchurch brothers, the Charles brothers, John Toshack, Jan Molby and Tommy Smith are just some of names that spring to mind.

"What is wanted now is a sound financial basis for the future of the club and a period of stability to enable it to realise its true potential. I wish the supporters' trust well in its aim to secure a long-term future for one of our greatest football institutions."

The trust will be launched at a meeting in the city's Patti Pavilion, Victoria Park, at 5.30pm.

An auction of football memorabilia will be held at the meeting, hosted by Swansea radio DJ Kevin Johns.

On offer will be a signed David Beckham shirt, a signed Swansea shirt, a Swansea shirt from the 1981 promotion-winning side and an Aston Villa shirt signed by Wales international Mark Delaney.

There is also a signed shirt from Llanelli-born Leicester midfielder Matthew Jones and the chance to dine with ex-England manager Terry Venables in London.

Diff'rent Records, in St Helen's Road, is donating 1,000 CDs which will be give to the first 1,000 people through the doors.

Swansea City assistant manager Alan Curtis said: "I am right behind the trust and give it my full backing."

(Membership forms will be available at the meeting or call Tony Davies on 07866 6506363.

Swansea City centre-back Jason Smith is hoping to make his long-awaited return from injury early next month.

The 26-year-old has played just once since Valentine's Day, when he damaged ankle ligaments in the LDV Vans Trophy defeat by Brentford at Vetch Field.

Now Smith, who is probably boss John Hollins's first-choice central defender, is targeting the home clash with Exeter City on September 8 as his comeback game.

"He is doing good work in the gym but is not quite ready to get back into the thick of it," said Swansea physio Richard Evans.

"I don't like making predictions, but it would appear that Exeter is a realistic target."

Following an operation in the close season, Smith had hoped to be fit to face Macclesfield on the opening day.

"Unfortunately, the recovery has taken him a little longer than anticipated, but he is not far off," Evans added.

Matthew Bound, Swansea's other missing defender so far this season, must sit out Saturday's trip to Lincoln to complete a four-match ban but will be available for the home game with Cheltenham Town next Monday.

Chris Todd is likely to partner Kris O'Leary at Sincil Bank this weekend having recovered from the thigh injury which forced him off at half-time against Peterborough on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Welsh rugby legend Gareth Edwards and entertainer Max Boyce have become the latest big names to give their support to the Swansea City Supporters Trust.

"I have been a Swans fan all my life and was very proud to play for the club in the Tosh (John Toshack) era," said Edwards.

"I support any worthy group, and I put the trust in that category, that is attempting to protect the future of this famous club at a very difficult stage in its history."

Boyce added: "Wales is a big village and any success our teams enjoy is shared by us all. For that reason alone I wish the trust every success."

The trust will be launched at 5.30pm on August 27 at the Patti Pavilion, straight after Swansea's game with Cheltenham at the Vetch.

John Hollins was understandably upset after seeing his side lose 2-0 in their Worthington Cup tie against Peterborough at The Vetch last night.

The Swans boss said: "We started well but didn't get the goal we needed - their goal in injury time was their first real attempt of the first half.

"I made some changes because with no reserve matches now I need to see my players in actual matches - training is no substitute."

He went on: "I made three substitutions in the second half, but really after that we were chasing the game, and when you do that you're always likely to give them the space to score.

"I won't be using that option of chasing the game again - that's not something I want to be doing."

However, the defeat has not dented Hollins's confidence in his team and he believes they can bounce back strongly from the setback.

He said: "It won't affect our morale one little bit going into Saturday's game at Lincoln, and we'll have Stuart Roberts back fit for that one."

Swansea were given a lift today with the news that defender Chris Todd's leg injury picked up last night is not as bad as the club first feared.

The centre-half limped off at half-time with a dead leg during last night's 2-0 Worthington Cup defeat against Peterborough, but after treatment on the injury today, it is thought he will be fit for Saturday's game at Lincoln City.

After Peterborough forward Dave Farrell's heavy challenge on Todd, manager John Hollins was quick to replace the 20-year-old with Nick Cusack, as Matthew Bound and Jason Smith are still unavailable for The Swans.

Todd said on the club's official web site: "I took quite a forceful blow to the thigh not long before half-time, and it reduced my mobility. With other players out, there was no way that the manager could afford to lose another defender - I had to come off to ensure I didn't do any further damage."

And he confirmed the damage to his leg will not threaten his fitness for Saturday by adding: "I'm in today to have a bit of treatment, and I would have thought I will take it lightly on Thursday. So I can't see any problems ahead of Saturday."

Chairman Mike Lewis has slammed the Welsh FA for blocking a move to allow The Swans, Wrexham and Cardiff qualify for European competition.

The three Nationwide League clubs wanted to play in the Welsh Cup competition this season that would have given the clubs a possible route into the UEFA Cup.

However, the FAW have voted out the proposal by 16 votes to 6, maintaining UEFA would not have allowed it as the three clubs play in the English Football League.

Lewis reacted with obvious disappointment, and said: "Take nothing away from the League of Wales clubs, but as far as European qualification goes, surely Welsh football would be better served by the bigger clubs taking part?"

The committee organising keeper Roger Freestone's testimonial season are asking fans to dip into their wallets to honour the Vetch stalwart.

The committee have produced commemorative t-shirts featuring the 33-year-old stopper, and these are available for £11 from: The Roger Freestone Testimonial Fund, PO Box 526, Clydach, Swansea, SA6 5LA.

They are also reminding people that tickets are still on sale for the testimonial dinner on Saturday October 6th, which is being shared with Glamorgan cricketer Steve James.

The event will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Swansea, and tickets cost £30 per person. These are available by calling Phil Sumbler on 07768 507695.

Swansea City manager John Hollins refused to blame his players after they were dumped out of the Worthington Cup with a 2-0 home defeat by Peterborough.

Goals from Neale Fenn and Andy Clarke stunned the Vetch Field crowd and booked Peterborough's place in the second round.

Hollins said: "We obviously wanted to progress in the cup but I don't think the players' attitudes or the way they played was at fault.

"I thought we moved the ball well in the first half and Peterborough had few opportunities until their first goal. That came out of the blue and I don't think we deserved to be behind at half-time.

"But Peterborough changed their formation in the second half and started to push through well.

"We still had a couple of chances but failed to take them, and when you are chasing the game you are always liable to leave gaps."

John Hollins vowed never to play three strikers again after Peterborough United ended Swansea City's hopes of a money-spinning Worthington Cup run last night.

Barry Fry's Second Division side coasted to a comfortable 2-0 first-round win on a miserable night at Vetch Field.

The home side's performance was reminiscent of the depressing displays which epitomised much of the last campaign, with Swansea lacking imagination up front and being easily cut open at the back.

Hollins's men had made an encouraging start with summer signings John Williams and Nicolas Mazzina prevalent and Steve Watkin heading just over.

But once substitute Neale Fenn had put Posh ahead just before the break, Swansea looked unable to respond.

Uncharacteristically, Hollins switched to a 3-4-3 formation in an attempt to save the game in the last 25 minutes, but his defence was left exposed.

And after Francis Green had casually sent Clarke through to seal an away victory, the Swansea boss insisted he would not switch to three forwards again.

"We made some changes, which I don't usually like to do, as we chased the game," said Hollins.

"That left us wide open at the back and playing with three up front didn't work.

"I don't plan to do that anymore. It's not our style and I don't want to do it because I want to keep our confidence high.

He added: "In the first half we used the ball well and we didn't look bad. They had very few opportunities and I don't think we deserved to go behind.

"But after the interval we gave it away too much and I didn't like the way we finished it. I won't be chasing games again."

Hollins admitted the early Worthington Cup exit was a blow but immediately turned his attentions to Saturday's Division Three trip to Lincoln City.

"This will not affect us. We will be flying for Lincoln," he said.

Swansea expect Chris Todd, who was substituted last night with a thigh injury, to be available for the long trip to Sincil Bank. Stuart Roberts should also be fit.

Swansea's dreams of a Worthington Cup run disappeared last night as they slipped out in the first round with barely a whimper.

Goals from Neale Fenn and Andy Clarke were enough to see Barry Fry's injury-hit side ease through to the second round and a possible tie with Premiership opposition.

A decent cup run would have swelled the coffers at the cash-strapped Vetch, but that never looked likely after former Tottenham striker Fenn hit a sweet left-foot shot past Roger Freestone in first-half injury time.

That came out of nothing after Swansea had dominated the opening half-hour, but Clarke's second, eight minutes from time, was always on the cards after John Hollins went chasing the game.

The lack of shots on goal and the ease in which Peterborough won this tie must have worried Hollins.

The second-half performance was poor.

The ball was given away too easily and the home side ran out of ideas.However, the most worrying aspect was that the only shot on target in the second period arrived a minute from the final whistle through a Nick Cusack free-kick.

It had all looked so promising earlier on as the Swansea rains came down to liven up a quality Vetch Field surface.

Nicolas Mazzina was given his debut and looked sharp in the opening minutes.

He set off on a dazzling run, beating two players, before Gary MacDonald slid in to knock the ball out for a corner on two minutes.

And five minutes later John Williams, making his first start of the season, was put free down the right by David Romo before showing he has lost little of his famed pace.

He got clear of Tom Williams and whipped in a super cross but Steve Watkin headed wide.

The former Wrexham man should probably have done better and if the chance had been taken it would have been unlikely that Peterborough would have come back, even at that early stage.

They were already without 12 players through injury and as Swansea pushed forward looked all at sea.

Mazzina had a good chance but slipped on the greasy surface and the hard-working Gareth Phillips saw his overhead kick deflect off Jonathan Coates into Connor's hands as Swansea pushed forward.

On 25 minutes Watkin had another glorious chance to put the home side in front, but for the second time he was unable to force Connor into a save with a header after another Williams cross.

Peterborough had not troubled Freestone at the other end and should have been out of the game.

Coates saw a delightful chip over Connor drift just wide on the half-hour and Williams saw his shot saved by the youngster on 40 minutes.

But that was the only shot that either keeper had to make in the half and for all Swansea's possession they did not really threaten Connor's goal.

Then totally out of the blue Barry Fry's men took the lead in first-half injury time.

Fenn had replaced David Farrell on 35 minutes and, after being booked for not retreating at a free-kick, the ex-Spurs man got clear of Lee Jenkins to fire home a sweet left-foot shot seconds before the break.

It seemed to knock the stuffing out of Swansea and gave the visitors the confidence to come forward.

Williams did see a shot go just wide for the home side soon after the break, but that was that on the creative front for most of the second half.

Swansea could not string two passes together and there seemed to be no pattern to the play as the visitors upped a gear.

Richard Forsyth saw his shot deflect wide off Cusack on the hour and on 68 minutes veteran David Oldfield's effort was saved by Freestone.

Hollins needed to try something different and brought on Richie Appleby and Mamady Sidibe with 25 minutes left.

He switched to 3-4-3 as he looked for goals, but the move invited Peterborough forward and Swansea defenders were left one on one at the back on a number of occasions.

The home side pushed forward but for all their possession never looked like threatening Connor's goal.

Too many times they over-complicated things when an early pass or shot would have brought dividends.

And as they forayed forward they became increasingly exposed at the back.

With eight minutes left the lively Clarke settled things with a simple second goal.

A superb pass from Francis Green split the Swansea defence and the former Wimbledon man was able to stroke the ball home.

Sidibe had a half-chance to pull one back on 84 minutes after Oldfield's mistake but he shot over and that was that.

Cusack did strike a sweet free-kick in injury time which forced Connor to punch the ball away but most of the home crowd had drifted away by then.

It was simply too little too late.

Swansea 0-2 Peterborough

Swansea City crashed out of the Worthington Cup tonight as a confident Peterborough United cruised through to round two.

A goal in each half gave Barry Fry's side a comfortable victory as the Swans never managed to breach the Posh defence.

Neale Fenn opened the scoring just before the break and the victory was sealed when Andy Clarke doubled the advantage on 61 minutes.

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

Peterborough: Connor, Joseph, Edwards, Farrell, Oldfield, Clarke, Williams, Green, Forsyth, MacDonald, Cullen. Subs: Murray, Hanlon, Bullard, Fenn, Steele.

Referee: M Warren (Walsall)

Swansea have confirmed that central defender Jason Smith is around a fortnight away from a first-team comeback after damaging ankle ligaments. Smith picked up the injury last February in the LDV Vans Southern semi-final against Brentford, and despite making a comeback in March against Stoke City, the problem reappeared and he has not played since. Smith underwent an operation in the summer to help the ankle heal, and Swansea physio Richard Evans has confirmed that despite hopes of Smith making the start of the season, a full comeback is not far away. "The doctor said at the time that it would take Jason six weeks, but he had hoped that he could do it in three or four. Unfortunately, it's taken him a little longer than anticipated, but he is not far off," Evans revealed. "He is doing good work in the gym, but is not quite ready to get back into the thick of it. I don't like making predictions, but it would appear that Exeter on September 8th is a realistic target," he told the club's official website.

Swans looking to cash in on cup and keep the run going

Alan Curtis says a win against Peterborough in the Worthington Cup tonight is important for Swansea City both on and off the pitch. The assistant manager says a first-round victory could mean a tie against one of the Premiership big boys in the next round which would bring some much-needed cash to the club.

"Obviously a cup run would help the club at this present time financially," he said.

"But it is also important for the team to keep up the unbeaten run.

"At this stage of the season we just need to keep on getting the right results. It would be great to get in the hat with a chance of drawing a big club in the next round."

Swansea hold the upper hand over Barry Fry's men in the past few matches between the two clubs. Goals from Giovanni Savarese and Ryan Casey rescued John Hollins's men from 2-0 down in the Division Two match at Vetch Field in January and earlier last season goals from Matthew Bound and Jason Price wrapped up the three points at London Road. But despite the recent record Curtis is expecting another tough match tonight.

"They have a few injuries and they haven't made that many new signings," he said.

"But they are a side who like to play good football. We have had some good tussles with Peterborough over the past two seasons and I think we know each other's games pretty well.

"We both know what to expect and it will be hard."

Kristian O'Leary trained yesterday after recovering from a stomach bug which kept him out of Saturday's draw with Oxford. But Stuart Roberts is doubtful after picking up a knock against Mark Wright's men. The winger has a calf problem and faced a fitness test.

There are no other injuries among Saturday's squad but Swansea may take the chance to give home starts to summer signings Nicolas Mazzina and John Williams, who looked lively when coming on as a substitute against Oxford. If Williams does play it is likely he will partner Mamady Sidibe up front.

Peterborough travelled without 12 first-teamers — most notably injured strike pair Leon McKenzie and Jason Lee Howard Forinton, Simon Rea and goalkeeper Mark Tyler were all hurt in the 1-1 draw with Cardiff on Saturday. Six other players are unfit, while Dean Hooper is suspended.

"The walking wounded now face a trip to Swansea and we will have to fight like tigers to get anything there," said Fry.

John Hollins looks set to name an unchanged side for the Worthington Cup visit of Second Division Peterborough United to the Vetch.

Defender Kris O'Leary had to withdraw from Hollins' squad to face Oxford United on Saturday, and if he hasn't recovered then skipper Nick Cusack will continue alongside Chris Todd at the back.

Hollins said: "We've had plenty of good games against Peterborough in the past, and with the match having to be settled tonight it should be a great contest. I hope people get down there to see it."

Likely line-up: Freestone, Howard, Todd, Coates, Phillips, Romo, Roberts, Jenkins, Cusack, Sidibe, Watkin.

Swans interim owner Mike Lewis will today continue his search to bring money into the club by talking to potential investors.

"Some people are coming down - I'm just asking them to have a look and see what they think," said Lewis. "To get new investors in we need good results on the field, good crowds through the gates and also for the people with money to like the feel of what's going on here."

He said that it felt like a year rather than just six weeks since he assumed control of the club but said that he and everyone else were 'up for it', and that off the field issues didn't affect the team's performance.

"I'm very optimistic for the future," he added. "The sooner I can share the financial responsibilities the better, but we're doing OK at the moment."

The Swans' 'Cygnets club' are reminding those wanting to join about enrolment details and membership benefits.

The club is for junior Swansea fans aged up to 15, and costs £10 for the year.

Members receive reduced prices on Swans soccer courses, along with goodies including a baseball cap, a birthday card signed by the players, a monthly members draw, reductions at the club shop, a newsletter, an opportunity to be a club mascot and a Christmas party.

To join, call the club on 01792 474114.

Swansea boss John Hollins is expected to name a similar side to that which was held to a 0-0 draw against Oxford on Saturday when the Swans entertain Peterborough in the Worthington Cup.

French striker Mamady Sidibe will continue in attack after an impressive opening to the new campaign.

There could also be a place in the starting line-up for fellow summer recruit Nicolas Mazzina. Veteran forward John Williams is also in contention for a starting berth after coming off the bench at the weekend.

Mike Lewis has described Saturday's home gate of 5,501 as 'acceptable' but added that fans still need convincing of the club's direction.

"I wouldn't mind that for most home games," said Lewis.

"Considering the weather today I'd call today a success - not a remarkable one - but a success."

He went to say that not many teams in the division could command that crowd, and that the fans had got behind the team and the manager.

"That's a marginal victory. There were no chats of 'Lewis out' so maybe the fans have realised that they may as well get behind me as there's no-one else."

He added that Tuesday's visit of Peterborough in the Worthington Cup was another big game, and after the draw with Oxford he predicted a crowd of around 3,500: "If we beat them, I'll pray for Manchester United away - that should see us OK at the bank!"

Swans boss John Hollins was generally satisfied with a point from Saturday's Vetch clash with Oxford, but knows his side can perform better.

Hollins watched as both sides struggled to find any openings in attack, and said: "I'm happy with the way we played. There were some good moves and some good passing - we just need the end product in terms of goals. I reckon if we play like that, more often than not we'll win."

Visiting manager Mark Wright agreed with Hollins, but added that he thought Swansea were contenders for promotion: "I don't think either side really deserved to win. Swansea were well organised and not many teams will come to the Vetch and take points.

"They'll be in the reckoning at the end of the season."

Swans goalkeeping coach Glen Letheren has spoken of his three Swansea goalkeepers, who have all received Wales international recognition .

First Simon Cole kept a clean-sheet for the Under-19s against the Faroe Islands at the Vetch, then Roger Freestone kept his place in the senior squad for the upcoming matches against Armenia and Norway, as did Jason Jones for the Under-21s.

Goalkeeping coach Letheren has a big part to play, and said: "I was delighted for Simon - he's learnt from Roger and Jason and will do from the Under-19 coach Neville Southall.

"I heard Jason did superbly for the Under-21s in their away game in the Ukraine in the summer, and he's worked amazingly hard, particularly on his strength. The difference on him in a year is incredible.

"As for Roger, he hasn't played in the last couple of internationals but fully deserves to be in the squad." Speaking of his own role in the trio's success, Letheren said:

"There wasn't a specialised keeping coach when I played, we were with all the other players. Now I think the individual training is great for our keepers, and possibly that's reflected in the recognition they've had."

Swans look to find a way to finish off the good work

Swansea City boss John Hollins will give his squad some extra shooting practice before tomorrow's clash with Peterborough following the goalless draw with Oxford United.

Hollins is out to ensure his side do not draw another blank in the Worthington Cup first round tie.

Swansea fought for a well-deserved point in a messy match against Oxford, but a little more quality around the penalty box would have given them all three.

"It was a very pleasing performance which featured three or four excellent passing moves," said Hollins.

"But I was not happy with the result because I know we can do better. "I will be working hard with the boys to make sure we finish off our good moves in the future.

"We had our chances and I thought we had the makings of a win but it just didn't happen."

Michael Howard, Nick Cusack and most notably Mamady Sidibe all went close but the deadlock could not be broken and Swansea failed to emulate their fine opening day victory over Macclesfield.

Even so, Hollins, with four points from two matches, is upbeat about the early Third Division exchanges.

"Oxford will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season," he said, "and I think overall if we play like we did against them we will beat most teams in this division.

"We had a very young side out and, apart from one little spell where they pushed us back, we played well for 90 minutes.

"It's a shame we didn't get a goal for the terrific crowd, but I think they will be happy with what they saw."

Hollins reserved special praise for man-of-the-match Gareth Phillips, who is rapidly making the role of midfield anchorman his own.

"He was magnificent. He came out on top in the midfield battle with Martin Thomas and I think he tackled everyone in their team except the goalkeeper!"

Swansea are hopeful that both Kris O'Leary and Stuart Roberts will be available to face Peterborough at Vetch Field tomorrow night (7.45).

Centre-back O'Leary missed Saturday's game with a virus, while Roberts was replaced at half-time having taken a bang on the head.

"If we play like that we can beat most teams in this division."

That was the verdict of Swansea manager John Hollins after seeing his side comfortably hold Mark Wright's Oxford to a drab score-less draw.

Hollins is probably right, but he must have been concerned by the return of the lack of firepower that dogged the Second Division campaign last season and ultimately saw them drop back into the Football League basement.

There was plenty of endeavour, plenty of spirit and a magnificent performance from Gareth Phillips which pleased the manager, but once more that killer touch was missing and Hollins admitted that was something he would he would look to improve.

"Phillips led by example and I thought everyone around him responded to that," he said.

"We had some super moves but we just needed the end product of the goal.

"I will be working with the players at finishing those moves off. But we will get better."

Oxford chief Wright set his stall out by playing with three strikers but the visitors found it tough going against Phillips and Co in midfield and resorted to the long-ball game.

This suited Swansea and also negated the effect of talented teenager Jamie Brooks down their right.

Brooks tormented Hollins's men last season on his Manor Ground debut but there was no repeat performance as Oxford time and again went for the ball over the top.

Maybe they were trying out Oxford old boy Nick Cusack. He was forced to drop into the back four as a makeshift centre-half because Kristian O'Leary pulled out on the morning of the game through illness.

But Cusack is too experienced to fall for that and the Swansea skipper handled almost everything that was thrown at him with ease.

Former Brentford striker Andy Scott did have a couple of half-chances and had a goal ruled out for offside, but the Swansea back four , marshalled superbly by Cusack, performed so soundly that Roger Freestone did not have a serious save to make throughout the 90 minutes.

Swansea made their intentions clear from the start as they looked to build on the 3-1 win at Macclesfield on the opening day.

Calls had been made for the fans to show their support in numbers and they answered them.

The North Bank was in full voice in the early stages and Phillips and Chris Todd were inspired to let fly with early shots that flew over the bar.

Former Swansea midfielder Martin Thomas also made his mark with an early tough challenge but he was being outfought in the cauldron of the middle of the pitch.

Oxford's back four were finding Mamady Sidibe a handful and his shot forced goalkeeper Ian McCaldon into a fine save on 36 minutes.

Sidibe was leading the line well and there is no doubt other defences will also find him hard to fathom out. For a big man he has great skill on the floor and he engineered the best chance of the game two minutes after the break.

The giant Frenchman was fed by Michael Howard, who had seen an earlier effort just skim past the post, and left Phil Bolland for dead with a sublime turn.

All he had to do was lift the ball over McCaldon and the three points were in the bag. But the goalkeeper, signed on Friday from new Scottish Premier side Livingston, smothered his effort. Ten minutes later he did superbly well to tip away a Howard shot which had deflected wickedly off Oxford defender Sam Stockley.

Woking referee Lee Cable had baffled both managers with some of his decisions and he sadly took centre stage as the game began to drift.

Five players — three from Swansea — were booked in the second half, including four in a hectic 10-minute spell of yellow-card madness.

No challenge seemed deserving of a booking and the edge was taken off the game.

There seemed no way through for Swansea although substitute John Williams did manage to scare the Oxford defence with a couple of late runs and shots.

But all in all defences were on top. Swansea needed a spark and it did seem strange that Argentinian Nicolas Mazzina did not replace David Romo who had one of his poorer games for the club.

Hollins would have been encouraged to see that his defence, minus the commanding Matthew Bound, Jason Smith and O'Leary, coped easily with the Oxford bombardment.

There were shades of the championship form of two seasons ago returning, but that age-old problem of scoring goals will have to be resolved if Swansea are to be up there challenging for promotion at the end of the season.

Oxford manager Wright summed the game up nicely.

"I don't think we deserved to win, then neither did Swansea," said the ex-England man.

"What I will say though is that they are well organised and they will be difficult to beat at the Vetch. Not many teams will come away from here with points.

"They will be there in the shake-up at the top at the end of the season."

There is no doubt that Hollins will agree with that. But, without stating the obvious, encouraging performances are no good without goals.

Oxford skipper Martin Thomas reckons his old mates have what it takes to get out of Division Three.

The former Swansea midfielder made a quick return to Vetch Field in Saturday's 0-0 draw and enjoyed every minute of the battle against his former team-mates.

He may have lost the midfield battle with man-of-the-match Gareth Phillips but there was enough to show that the old Thomas bite was still in his game and he relished every challenge. "It's a game I had been looking forward to," he said. "It was an enjoyable day. It was a good game for me and I think the team were up for it.

"It's a difficult place to come to. We needed the point on the back of our defeat last week and that's what we got. We played well last week but could not get the result so we knew how important this game was."

Thomas had a great chance to assess the chances of Swansea's promotion prospects and although only two league games have been played, he believes John Hollins's men will be up there at the business end come April alongside his new club.

"I think we have both got excellent chances of going up," he said.

"We both have good squads. Swansea still have a few players to come back into the reckoning and they will add to the strength of the team.

"I will be surprised not to see them up there at the end of the season, but the same goes for Oxford. We have a good set of lads and a good manager and I have no doubts we will be in with a shout of promotion."

Thomas admitted that the game was never going to be a spectacle for the fans, but said it was a choice between winning titles or entertainment.

"There wasn't much goalmouth action," he said. "But during Swansea's championship season if you were a football purist then you would not go to the Vetch expecting an exhibition of football.

"But at the end of the season we were champions. It's all about what you want — to be entertaining or win titles. I know what I would take."