|
There was always going to be a thought train of ‘After The Lord Mayor’s Show’ following the five goal demolition of Walsall over the weekend and in truth the Swans probably did try their best at times to let Barnsley into it but a combination of desperate defending and poor finishing ensured the White Rock points were the Swans for the taking and they currently occupy one of the promotion spots at the end of August – who would have thought that 23 days ago?
Those that were at Walsall spent pre match enthusing on what they had seen and expected more whilst those that weren’t just enjoyed the beer. The queue for the ticket office grew from just a handful to the full length of the South Stand with just twenty minutes to kick off – it can’t have been possible for all of them to see the start surely?
Kenny Jackett clearly decided that the lure of Lee Trundle was too much to keep Paul Connor in the side and he sent his team out with just that one change to the side that started on Saturday
Willy
Tatey Izzy Kev Sam
Leon Roberto OTJ Macca
Trunds Bayo
Subs: Robbo, Murphy, Connor, Freezer, KOL
And Swansea started the better side of the two and deservedly held the lead inside fifteen minutes. Macca had already gone close when he received the ball from Trundle on the edge of the penalty area. One look, one swing and one goal as he placed an unstoppable shot past the keeper to send the crowd into mode celebration and spark the Swim Away celebration joined by an impromptu fan on the pitch. 1-0. We want 5?
And for 15 more minutes, the Swans buzzed. Passing football that we haven’t seen for a while and predictions of Jackett ordering hoofball seemed as far away as a cold Tuesday night in Carlisle. Trundle was off the pace and we could all see it but backed by a midfield playing so well did anyone really care at that moment in time? Bar maybe Paul Connor.
But as the half hour passed we let Barnsley back into the game. More and more they came at us and more and more we looked disjointed. We needed the break but it was more than ten minutes away. And with ten to go, they equalised. Burns shot and Willy only managed to palm it into the net – Barnsley were level where they didn’t deserve to be. And they possibly should have led at the interval as they peppered us for the remaining minutes of the half and only the intervention of bodies in white shirts kept us level.
Jackett had the chance to calm his troops and he managed it well enough as they started the second half the better. And the second half was one of pure entertainment with shots raining in on goal almost constantly.
But, as has been so often in the past, it was a moment of Trundle brilliance that put us back in front. A free kick 30 yards out in the middle is only going to result in one player having a pop and Trundle struck it perfectly to give the Swans the advantage and his 3rd goal of the season into the bargain.
As the game got niggly the substitutions started to arrive. Robbo replaced Leon, KOL for Martinez and the Swans moved to 4-3-3 with Macca joining Bayo and Trunds up front. Swansea sizzled, Barnsley battled but there was no addition to the score but that wasn’t for the want of trying. Trundle and Bayo both passed up superb chances to bury the game and Robbo was denied only by a diving save from the keeper. At the other end, Barnsley hit the post and had one disallowed but it was man of the match Macca who had the final say as he drilled home a Bayo lay off to secure the points as normal time passed to injury time.
It was the win we so desiredand as we enter an enforced two week break we do so with the squad and team in great shape and the potential of a very good season ahead of us.
MATCH PICTURES TO FOLLOW
How do you rate the players – share your views below
|
