Swansea 3 Rushden 0

There was an anticipation about the Vetch as Trundle’s name was read out as in the starting line up for the first time since an away win over Leyton Orient four weeks ago.

Freestone

Duffy O’Leary Iriekpen Howard

Durkan Britton Johnrose Robinson

Trundle Nugent

Subs: Murphy, Jenkins, Thomas, Coates, Jones

Swansea started brightly enough and all of a sudden there was someone working off Nugent to hold the ball and look to create chances. With Britton in one of his ‘run with the ball’ moods and Robinson and Durkan providing options on the flanks, Swansea all of a sudden looked more dangerous than in recent weeks. Two early corners though were both wasted by Durkan – failing to get either into play – and Rushden seemed to get their own lift from this.

Rodney (aptly named) Jack delighted a disappointing crowd of just over 5,000 by completely missing the ball when well placed and Roger was called into action to turn one shot away for a corner. Swansea’s chances were being created in the main by Trundle but several good runs from the maligned Michael Howard showed that this was to be one of his better days.

Roger was again called on to make a superb save as Rushden pushed for a goal but it was Swansea who struck first. Britton found Durkan wide on the right and his ball was played into Trundle who in turn fed Nugent. Nugent held the ball and found Trundle in space with the return pass allowing the striker to send the ball into the far corner with his left foot for his 13th goal of the season.

There was no hiding his delight as he turned to face the North Bank and I can guarantee that there weren’t too many people hoping that he was still injured at this point. Half time came with Swansea holding their goal advantage possibly not quite what Rushden were deserving but thanks to Trundle and Roger it was what they had.

Swansea started much the brighter in the second half and had doubled their lead before the game was two thirds old. Trundle received the ball in the penaltyarea and turned enough to lay the ball off to Nugent who drilled a low shot under the Rushden keeper into the net to effectively send Swansea through.

At this point Swansea tended to sit back more and let Rushden come at them and again they could have pulled a goal back bar the brilliance of Freestone who saved low down to his right when many other keepers would have been beaten. Despite more Rushden pressure though the back line of Howard, O’Leary, Izzy and Duffy were holding solid and frustration from Rushden led to a couple of minor scuffles in midfield.

The best though was yet to come. Durkan picked up the ball five yards outside his own area and ran into the space left by the Rushden midfield as their attack broke down. With Trundle peeling off to the left and Durkan heading that way a ball into space looked the odds on option. With a defender keeping one eye on Trundle, Durkand took the opportunity to size up the goal and send an exquistite chip over the keeper into the corner to give the Swans a third goal. The Vetch stood as one to celebrate this goal – worthy of winning any football match.

Soon after James Thomas replaced Trundle and the standing ovation that was due followed. The showman had played more than his part in a convincing win against, let’s not forget, higher division opposition. A shake of the referees hand signalled the end to his participation after a goal, an assist and a pretty big part in Durkan’s goal albeit without touching the ball.

Swansea played out the remainder of the game with some comfort and the final whistle signalled the playing of what a beautiful day for the first time since Huddersfield were beaten at the Vetch six games ago.

Man of the match this afternoon has to go to Trundle who without a doubt makes a huge difference to the play of the whole team – evidence perhaps in a much improved performance from Michael Howard. Roger deserves mention for three saves of the highest quality and Izzy and O’Leary who were both rocks at the centre of defence. Add to that what Robinson and Johnrose added to the midfield and Kevin Nugent reaping the benefits of someone to work off him and you have a big reason for the result.

This was closer to the Swansea we saw earlier in the season and long may it continue. Onwards to Round 2 and the draw tomorrow.