Swansea 2 Hull 3

Swansea 2 Hull 3

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Kenny Jackett made his managerial bow at the Vetch on the back of two defeats at Rhyl and Lincoln and was greeted with a warm reception with many appreciating the task at hand that he was facing. With injuries mounting again at the Vetch the side had an unfamiliar look to it – especially in defence – as the Swans lined up like this

Freestone

O’Leary Rees Rewbury Fieldwick

Maylett Martinez Corbisierso Robinson

Connor Trundle

Subs: Murphy, Roberts, Coates, Pritchard, Maxwell

Hull started by far the better side and could have been one or two goals to the good by the time they took the lead on 10 minutes. Having already had one disallowed and one chance go a begging from some indecision from Roger Freestone it was Danny Allsopp who put them ahead. He worked his way into some space on the right hand edge of the area and with no challenge coming in he hit a low shot that went in off the far post to send a decent sized travelling support into celebration mood. You would have been forgiven at this time for fearing the worst as the Swans were slow starters and there was the potential here for a heavy defeat especially with so little first team experience in three of the back four lining up.

But the last week seems to have rubbed off on them somehow and there was more battle shown across the park – loose balls were not always conceded with an almost gift-like attitude and passes found their own men rather than those of the opposition. Robinson came close a couple of times as did Trundle as Swansea fought to get their way back into the match – a feat that they managed almost on the stroke of half time.

Kristian O’Leary had his shot blocked on the edge of the area and as the rebound fell to Robinson he looked for all the world as if he was going to shoot. However, one control a side step and a shot later it bobbled in front of the Hull keeper and over him into the back of the net to pull the Swans level and deservedly so on the first half display.

At half time there was hope that the goal would lift Swansea to even better things in the second half and in truth it could have done. Maxwell was brought on for the ineffective Corbisierso during the interval and despite his extra weight he made some good touches in the centre of midfield. Swansea were marginally the better side when Hull took the lead on the hour mark. Burgess’ shot from the edge of the area looked no trouble for Roger but inexplicably he tipped the ball up in the air and only succeeded in tipping it over his head and into the back of the net much to the dismay of his fellow defenders who were acting pretty much as a solid enough unit at the time.

2-1 to the visitors and Swansea were starting again as they had done in the first half. In recent weeks we have seen the team roll over and give up the ghost at this stage but today was different as they looked to create some chances and managed to do so with some intelligent off the ball running and some neat passing movements. Robinson, our biggest threat of the afternoon, saw one thunderous (trademark) free kick tipped onto the bar and Rewbury was denied a goal on his first league start by a despairing dive from the keeper as the Swans threatened an equaliser – something they managed seven minutes from time. A long throw in from the right was flicked on by Connor and after a couple of mis kicks it fell to Trundle and he buried his left footed (what else?) shot into the corner of the net. The mood lifted inside the Vetch and the crowd got behind the team as they hoped for an equaliser.

There was one more goal to come but sadly for the majority of the 6,000 crowd it was the visitors who got it but only after a loud appeal for offside. A hull break down the right looked to have created the offside call but no flag was raised and as the ball came across it was Burgess again who dived to head in what was the winning goal. The Hull bench stood to celebrate along with their directors and fans as they moved three points closer to their ultimate goal of second division football next season.

There was just enough time for a Robinson drive to inch just past the post but that was the last chance of the afternoon and a decent game had resulted in Swansea’s fifth successive defeat but definitely a massive improvement in play over some of the previous four.

Man of the Match – without a doubt again Andy Robinson on his return from injury. Not a vintage Robbo performance but one that stood out once again. Credit has to go to the youthful centre back pairing of Rewbury and Rees at the same time – both who played in a manner beyond their inexperience in terms of appearances.

Hull – a promotion side no doubt. Not overly skillful but fit and fast and do a job that they intend to do and do it very well. This will be their last league visit to the Vetch no doubt about it.

A disappointing Easter in terms of the two results but improved performances will bring their own rewards in good time the more time that Kenny has to work with his players. And of course, an enjoyable game to watch is another reward of that work. The rebuilding for next season has already started?

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Why not check out the latest Vetch Verdict on the BBC site?