Planet Swans ArchivesBrian Flynn resisted the temptation to hand on-loan goalkeeper Williams a start preferring to stick with Roger in goals. Kevin Nugent though was relegated to the bench with the on loan Daniel Nardiello taking his place in the starting line up.
Freestone
Duffy Tate Iriekpen Howard
Britton Johnrose Robinson
Durkan Trundle Nardiello
Subs: Nugent, O’Leary, Thomas, Williams, Coates
The game started brightly enough with both sides seemingly ready to play an open attacking game. A couple of half chances to Lee Trundle early on seemed to set the tone for a game that at that stage looked as if it may have a Swansea avalanche written all over it.
Michael Howard and Kieron Durkan both continued that theme with good crosses that resulted in Nardiello unable to find the target as Darlington failed to create much at the other end of the pitch to suggest that they could break the deadlock. Howard himself could have opened the scoring when a cross from the right fell at his feet in the area but as his shot was blocked it bought loud appeals of hand ball from the Swansea players but to no avail as the referee waved play on.
Lee Trundle was continuing to look menacing as a couple of shots on the turn were charged down by the defence and Andy Robinson had two free kicks blocked by the wall. Kieron Durkan fared better with his free kick but was unable to find the target and at this stage Swansea were assuming complete control over the game.
They were forced though to wait until five minutes before the interval to break the deadlock. The ball was delivered from the left and Izzy and Trundle went for the ball together. As both failed to make a proper connection the ball fell to Trundle who, with his back to goal, simply hooked the ball over his shoulder and past the Darlington keeper to give the Swans the lead.
Shortly before half time that lead could have been doubled. Trundle won a long clearance in the air sending Nardiello through but his first touch let him down, not for the only time in the afternoon, and Darlington cleared with some ease. At half-time and 1-0 the Swans should have known that the game was theirs for the taking and if they wanted quite possibly with some ease.
Second half though was a different story as Swansea lost their way. Passes went astray too often and long ball was the resulting tactic. Fine when Nugent is in – pointless when he isn’t. Long balls across the field checked attacking runs and sloppy ball play all round could have cost the team.
Trundle was still looking menacing and the only real outlet for Swansea that was threatening the goal. A couple of fine turn and shots could have beaten a better keeper but it was not to be.
Flynn replaced Durkan with Coates and the disappointing Nardiello with Nugent in a bid to change things but it made little difference. Opposition manager David Hodgson was sent from the dugout for something he said, sorry shouted, at the referee following a late challenge no doubt his calls borne out of frustration at the way his team was playing.
Strangely his absence from the bench seemed to have an effect on their team as they came back into it. Whether this was because we allowed them is open for debate but an equaliser looked on the cards bar a wonder save from Roger, tipping the ball around the post when heading in the opposite direction. Anyone who questions his worth to the team can look no further than this save to say that it as least two points he has gained us this season. O’Leary replaced Duffy late on as the game died into a 1-0 win for the Swans – the important factor of the day being the three points gained. We will play better than that this season and lose.
Man of the match for me was Trundle. Without a doubt the man that always looked likely to create something for us and with players again on an off day then he had little competition. Roger had little to do what he did do he did well and again Michael Howard had a good game. Izzy and Tate are looking a formidable partnership at the back but again we suffered outside the back line with the midfield still, I believe, missing the influence of Martinez and the outlet of pace that they gain through Maylett. Trundle was forced to create on his own and Nardiello continues to disappoint. The subs of Coates, Nugent and O’Leary added very little to the performance on the day.
It’s another win and as the Top 6 bunch up to within four points of each other, a vital win for us. First half was a decent enough performance – second half we just lost our way.
