Merthyr 0 Swans 2

With this competition being the last possible saving grace for a beleagured team, Hollins named as strong a side as he could despite a long injury list. Gareth Philips & Price returned to the midfield in place of Romo & Jenkins, Howard replaced O’Leary.

Ex-Swan Player manager Keith Walker was injured so was unable to play.

The Swans started the show early with a great turn and shot which troubled the Thomas the Merthyr keeper.

Then on the counter attack Merthyr nearly equalised when Roger dropped a cross and a goalmouth scramble. The Martyrs seemed to be content on playing on the counter attack and certainly worrying Todd and Bound enough for them to drive meaningless balls forward when put under the slightest pressure.

On the 10 minute mark Savarese put through after defensive header back to to the keeper put him through but only for the ball to spin away and be tipped away for a corner by the keeper.

After some good work by Savarese 15 minutes into the match won a corner. From the cross Verschave’s glancing header was saved onto the bar, a goalmouth scramble resulted but a shot by Price was turned off the line & cleared.

Merthyr nearly took the lead when a freekick from Merthyr’s star player Ryan was headed against the post with Roger stranded.

The Swans startled by the near miss started to turn the screw and were nearly rewarded when Cusack was tee’d up from 30yds by Coates but his shot was well saved for a corner.

Moments later Savarese was played through but his shot was charged down from behind but Sava undetered picked the ball up again a layed off to Verschave for a shot which was deflected wide.

On the stroke of Half time however the Swans finally took the lead they deserved. A short defensive header landed with an inviting bouce for Philips who rocketed the ball into the net from 30 yds out.

2nd Half

In the opening minute Cusack should have doubled the lead. A free kick floated to the near post gave Cusack a free header but put it too close to keeper who saved well.

MoTM Philips had to take a back seat after picking up a knock to be replaced by De-Vulgt. Hollins changed from a 3-5-2 to a more traditional 4-4-2 with the extra defender on the field.

Some dazzling work down the right by Verschave took him to the bi-line, his cross was met by Savarese with a diving header but just sailed wide.

The Swans were starting to knock the ball around at ease, and were exploiting a lot of space in the Martyr’s half of the field as they tried to push forward for an equaliser.

After some great control down the wing by Coates, he sent the ball to Savarese who set up Verschave with a floating shot as the keeper was off his line but it went just over.

The Swans did take the clinching goal though just past the hour when a Fabiano cross to far post was headed back across goal by Price, the ball fell for Coates who volleyed it home from 10 yds unusally with his right foot.

The French Connection really looked the part on a pitch that made the Vetch look like a Paddy field. This was evident when some great work by Fabiano and Verschave with a series of 1-2’s in the box set up Verschave with a tight angle but he still forced good save from keeper.

Merthyr had some half chances but did very little to threaten the Swans goal apart from one header which just scraped wide.

Boyd came on in the final minutes but failed to get a foot on the ball.

In the end a highly entertaining match and should be just enough to see us through to the final.