Planet Swans ArchivesAdrian Forbes took his goal tally to three in three and Lee Trundle his assists to three in two to send the Swans back to the league in the top of the table clash at the Vetch Field this evening.
Forbes came sliding in at the back post to convert Lee Trundle’s cross a minute before the break and yet again one goal was enough for the Swans as they made it six home wins on the bounce after waiting so long for one to come along.
With crowds around the Vetch aplenty before the game, it had the promise of a great game as new leaders Leyton Orient arrived looking down on the rest of a division for the first time since 1992. With the Swans tucked in behind them purely on goals scored, a tight encounter was promised especially with Swansea having won more games than any other side in league two and Orient having lost the least.
The visitors started the brighter and a cross from the right hand side was so nearly converted by Alexander within ten minutes as the Swans defence gave too much space to their opponents in the centre of the area – a problem that was evident to those that saw the Southend defeat on Saturday afternoon.
Swansea though were creating chances of their own and a Lee Trundle goal was ruled out for offside – the forward just advancing ahead of the defenders onto a through ball from O’Leary.
Orient were still finding space in their attach with Carlisle in particular dropping several yards of Ricketts on a few occasions causing a few problems in the Swansea defence. Two long range shots fizzled just wide from Orient as the game threatened a goal and in return Andy Robinson saw a couple of his own long range efforts fly wide and over.
The Swans looked certain to take the lead around the half hour mark as Lee Trundle turned his defender as seemingly only Trundle can do but his shot from the left hand side agonisingly rebounded back off the post with most of the Swans support ready to celebrate the forward’s fifth goal of the season.
Connor was next to have his chance as Robinson chased what looked to be a lost cause on the left but managed to keep the ball in play and deliver a superb cross into the middle but slightly before the advancing Connor whose header flew just wide of the post
Orient should have taken the lead five minutes before the interval when they took a quick free kick on the right hand side and a ball into the middle saw their striker with a full view of goal succeed only in hitting his shot against the post and thankfully for the Swans to complete safety. The game was beginning to flow but it took a great Swansea move to break the deadlock just before the interval.
Trundle was played in on the left hand side of the area by O’Leary and as he looked up he tried to pick Connor out in the middle. The ball eluded both Connor and the defender but it was Forbes at the back post who slid in and his shot hit the back of the net to give the Swans a lead that as it turned out they were not to lose.
Trundle and Forbes still had time to combine again and another Trundle cross, this time from the right was headed downwards and goalwards by Forbes but this time blocked by a defender in what turned out to be the last action of the first half.
Trundle’s tally of three assists in four days will be of great comfort to Swans fans who are used to their front man shooting more than passing but this is creating a better all round player and more beneficial to us. At the back the first half the Swans were slightly disorganised giving Orient too much space but the lead was ours and could the second half see us build on that.
As it turned out it didn’t but what did follow was a highly entertaining 45 minutes between two sides who could both have added to the evening’s scoring with the woodwork rattled once more.
Forbes was superb going forward in arguably his best game in a Swansea shirt and for my money was a clear winner of the man of the match award – the sponsors choice on the night being that of Garry Monk.
Orient though were never far out of the game and despite Swansea having the better chances – two of Forbes crosses being cleared from under the bar it was Lee Trundle who spurned a hat-trick of chances to increase the lead – one being well beaten away by the Orient keeper.
Orient themselves saw a 30 yard free kick rebound back off the stanchion much to the relief of Willy Gueret. Leon Britton was an introduction for the injured Andy Robinson whilst Fitzgerald made a rare appearance in place of the tiring Paul Connor but even at 1-0 the Swans didn’t sit back on their lead and looked to increase it even in stoppage time.
Trundle’s tricks were causing problems in the Orient defence and he was hacked down on a couple of occasions in a game that rarely saw a very bad tackle but still produced three yellow cards for the visitors – one of their players being booked incorrectly instead of Alexander.
The Swans though were good value again for the win that took them back to the top of the league – a position they will look to consolidate this weekend against Darlington.
