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Swansea City’s worst run in 16 months ended in sensational fashion as they romped home 5-2 at Walsall this afternoon. Roberto Martinez, Bayo Akinfenwa, Owain Tudur Jones, Kevin McLeod and Paul Connor were all on the scoresheet as Kenny Jackett’s men ran riot.Walsall had high hopes of at least a point when they twice came back to equalise – the second a highly debatable Willy Gueret own goal which had Swansea raging. In the end that didn’t really matter, though, as Jackett’s side clocked up their biggest away success since Kidderminster on Boxing Day last year. Jackett’s men had come into the game needing a lift after consecutive defeats against Huddersfield, Doncaster and Reading. The Bescot Stadium, one of the Football League’s earliest new grounds, has never been a happy hunting ground for Swansea – their last visit, back in 2001, ending in a 5-1 thumping. There was some good news for the visitors before kick-off, with Kevin Austin passing a late fitness test on an ankle to take his place in central defence. Alongside him came Izzy Iriekpen, returning from suspension in place of Christian Edwards in the sole change to the team that started at the Madejski Stadium in midweek. There was a switch on the bench, too, where Andy Robinson finally returned after his seven-match suspension. Walsall player-boss Paul Merson made four changes following their Carling Cup exit at Crystal Palace, including leaving himself out of the 16 altogether. One of those to return after the Saddlers’ first defeat in 11 matches was ace striker Matty Fryatt, rumoured to be playing his last game for the club before leaving for the Premiership. It was another of the reinstated Walsall players, midfielder Kris Taylor, who had the game’s first serious effort on goal, forcing a sprawling save out of Willy Gueret inside 90 seconds. But Swansea were giving as good as they got in a frantic opening, Kevin McLeod testing home keeper Andy Oakes with a stinger from the edge of the penalty area. The visitors were starting to enjoy themselves when they almost fell behind to a Matthew Wright shot that deflected off Fryatt and trickled past the post. And Swansea enjoyed good fortune with the bounce of the ball once again as they went in front after only 15 minutes. Paul Connor’s persistence had created the opportunity, keeping the ball in play near the byline and then pulling a pass back to the lively McLeod. His touch teed up MARTINEZ, who drove goalwards from 25 yards and watched in delight as the ball deflected off Craig Pead into the net. Swansea might have been celebrating again minutes later when an excellent Leon Britton ball offered Connor a sight of goal. But the former Rochdale forward, starting a league game for the first time this season, scuffed his left-foot shot straight at a grateful Oakes. It could have been 2-0, but instead it was 1-1 within nine minutes of Martinez’s rare strike. The dangerous Fryatt was tripped after turning Iriekpen in the box and referee Mick Russell had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. There were no heroics from penalty expert Gueret on this occasion, the Frenchman diving the wrong way as FRYATT stroked home. Iriekpen and Austin were working overtime trying to handle Fryatt and strike partner Jorge Leitao as Walsall upped the tempo after the equaliser. Yet it was Jackett’s side who almost regained the advantage seven minutes before the break when Britton forced an error from the dallying Paul Smith. The ex-Gillingham midfielder gifted possession to Connor on the edge of the box and, after a touch on from Akinfenwa, Britton smacked a shot past the post from 15 yards out. Merson’s men went even closer in stoppage time, Ashley Westwood thundering a header on to the crossbar from Taylor’s free-kick. Half-time: Walsall 1, Swansea City 1. So nearly behind at the break, Swansea stormed back in front after the restart. AKINFENWA had already wasted one opportunity through poor control when he notched his second goal in four days barely 90 seconds into the second half. Alan Tate was the architect, nicking possession off Steve Staunton outside the Swansea penalty area, then advancing 40 yards before playing Connor in down the right flank. With the Walsall defence sleeping, Connor squared for his partner to score. Just as in the first half, Welsh celebrations did not last long. The second lead lasted only three minutes, in fact, as Walsall drew level in bizarre and controversial fashion.
There appeared little danger as Sam Ricketts attempted to help a hopeful long ball back to his goalkeeper. But the Welsh international’s header looped over Gueret, leaving the keeper scrambling back to gather as the ball bounced towards his net. GUERET got there with a yard or two to spare, but ended up carrying the ball over the line under pressure from Leitao. With the travelling camp screaming for a free-kick, Hertfordshire official Mick Russell awarded the goal. Gueret and Co could not believe the decision – their hosts couldn’t believe their luck. At least Swansea were not grumbling for long. The excellent Britton almost put them back ahead within three minutes but Oakes leapt to save. A lull of sorts followed – there were at least two quiet minutes – before a crazy contest really got going. First Tate and Akinfenwa combined neatly to set TUDUR JONES galloping towards goal. Oakes didn’t come, so the former Bangor City midfielder smashed the ball into the corner of the net for his first professional goal. The boos were ringing around the Bescot two minutes later when more good work from Britton sent MCLEOD clear down the left. Seven days after his first Swansea goal the Scouse winger got lucky, deflecting his second home almost inadvertently after his first shot came back off Oakes. The amazing spell was not over, CONNOR sidefooting his first of the season after yet more good work from Britton and McLeod.
REPORT: EVENING POST PICTURE: SCFC.CO.uk
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