Planet Swans ArchivesWith Smith & Bound missing by suspension, yet another change to the line up was required. De Vulght came in at right back with Steve Jones moving across to partner O’Leary is the centre of defence with Howard on the left. Midfield was Price, Cusack, Jenkins & Thomas and a forward pairing of Saverasse & Boyd.
The seating area allocated to away fans was near to its 250 capacity (225?). As the team warmed up at approx. 2.30 the heavens opened.
What was slightly odd was that neither JH or AC were out on the pitch and the warm up was carried out by Cusack. Maybe as a show of solidarity against the comments lately, the team huddled together before the kick off. Then maybe they were just trying to keep warm. J The game started with the Swans facing into the monsoon conditions and were slow to start. Cambridge looked up for it and were quicker to the ball. Our midfield was being overrun without any real threat, but on 10mins they scored Roger saved well but the rebound was put straight into the net as their player reacted before our defence. Another goal was very similar and the third was a pass across from left to right splitting the defence for their player to run onto and slide it passed Rog as he came out. Just over half an hour gone and we were three down. Cambridge were no better than us just hungrier.
Their tactics were on some occasions over the top with many late or niggly fouls. One late scare towards the end of the first half, when Rog came out to meet one their players who went down. The ref ran towards them taking a card out, luckily he had seen the dive and gave their player a yellow card.
Another yellow card followed for Ashby who had been having a go at winding Price up, the third attempt was seen by the assistant. We had 2 half chances from Saverasse & Boyd and a free kick from Howard. There was no real venom towards the team as half time came just the feeling there was no way back. De Vulght & Jenkins were replaced by Watkin & Lacey. This seemed a better balance as we went with three upfront. The driving rain had stopped which although we thought would benefit Cambridge in fact did the reverse as we started to control the game.
A lot of effort but the knockdowns were not finding the right man against a packed defence, with Cambridge playing more on the break. Another substitution half way through the half saw Roberts replacing the ineffectual Boyd. He showed spirit from the off and chased everything. On 75mins? A pinpoint cross from Roberts was met by Saverase who headed passed Perez. Was this just a consolation? More Swans pressure brought no reward until a minute from the end when a repeat effort from Saverase saw us pull back to 3-2 down.
The board showed 3 extra minutes could we in our wildest dreams score a third. The seconds passed away with the thoughts of ‘nearly’ but roared on by the fans Watkin got the third to send us all into raptures. A draw from the jaws of defeat. One more attack by us and then the final whistle. Roberts ran the width of the pitch to join the celebrations with the ecstatic singing fans, players applauded everyone was happy.
Yes we were from 3 down to draw against all the odds with a weakened team. On the journey home we listened to Phil from Pembroke saying that if we continued with the application shown in the second half we would soon climb the table. The question I would like to throw open to others at the game, is he right? I saw a team that played much of the second half like the first. The difference being we did not face the atrocious conditions of the first and the big plus of seeing the return of Lacey who actually wanted the ball and encouraged the others. Tony S stats have shown that we get results when he plays.
This result was ground out by route one football.Hopefully when S&B return we can at least put some depressing displays behind us.
