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Maybe the eulogies that followed Sunday’s home draw with Walsall may prove to be a little premature as Andy Robinson struck a 86th minute winner for the Swans to put real pressure on 2nd placed Brentford tonight.
Robinson’s superbly executed free kick was the least the Swans deserved after a half hour assault on the Brentford goal led by Rory Fallon and Adrian Forbes – two inspired substitutes from the Jackett camp.
And maybe it was somewhat appropriate as the people who get fingers pointed at for being the villains are tonight being credited with the praise for this win and rightly so. When you get the knocks then enjoy the good times.
After the euphoria of the win at Colchester on Tuesday night and the upcoming trip to the Millannium Stadium, there was just the one change from the side that won through on Tuesday night with leading scorer Lee Trundle not surprisingly restored to the starting line up. Maybe more surprisingly was the non appearance of Tom Williams but lets not read too much into that – nights like this are not for conspiracy theories – his girlfriend had a baby yesterday
Big Willy
Tatey Lowe Monk Sam
Big Leon Roberto KOL Robbo
Bayo LT10
Subs: Murphy. Super Rory, Little Leon, Forbesy, Way
Swansea definitely had the worse of the first half with Brentford looking a continued threat to the Swansea defence which was bolstered by the home debut for the on loan Keith Lowe – a reasonably effective home debut at that.
And it was most definitely against the run of play that the Swans took the lead on 20 minutes. Ricketts cross from the right somehow ended at the feet of Leon (I honestly cannot remember whether it was direct or deflected) and his shot turned into a pass for Bayo to slide home (just) past the diving keeper. White Rock rose as one (bar the Bees fans) to celebrate the goal that could have been the catalyst we needed.
And it probably was for a while until we conceded our customary goal from a corner 10 minutes later. You know the drill. Corner comes in, opposition man heads it pretty much unchallenged, Willy picks ball from back of net. One each.
Brentford pushed a little harder but for ten minutes before the interval, Swansea showed what could be on offer in the second half, Trundle’s quick free kick was just beaten out by the keeper whilst Robbo saw his deflected wide as the Swans exerted their first real pressure of the game – pressure interrupted only by the half time whistle.
No changes at half time and no real direction from either side for the first ten minutes of the second half. Until Jackett decided that Forbes and Fallon should replace Martinez and Akinfenwa. Bayo didn’t look surprised, Roberto did but right no nobody can deny that the changes worked. Forbes fitted in left wing, Robbo in the middle although both Forbes and Britton interchanged on the flanks throughout the second half.
And from then on in it was pretty much relentless stuff as Swansea pushed and Brentford defended as you would expect a side at the top of the table to do. Fallon almost made an immediate impact with a cut inside and a powerful shot that was deflected over whilst Trundle, Britton and Forbes were combining well with Robinson doing what Robinson does best.
At the other end, after 15 minutes of pressure being soaked up, Brentford could have taken the lead when hesitation on halfway between Monk and Lowe left their man to run through but under pressure from Ricketts, the shot was well saved by Willy.
But that would have been a travesty as Swansea pushed despite the advancing minutes on the clock there still had to be belief. And that belief looked as if had led to a goal after an incredible passage of play. Brentford found Lee Trundle unmarked in their penalty area and his shot was well saved by the keeper but it fell to Forbes who took one touch and had his shot well saved by the keeper only to see it bobble up and Fallon win the header downwards for it to be cleared – with some claiming the ball was over the line. Was it just not going to be our night?
Well, yes it was. Andy Robinson won the free kick and dusted himself off to execute the perfect free kick into the corner of the net to give the Swans the lead and to cue a massive burst of badge kissing from Robbo – something that is the normal forte of his great mate Lee Trundle. Badge kissing works and the fans celebrated with their hero and the Swans hung on.
A great second half performance and proof that we can play football with Rory Fallon on the pitch and proof that Rory Fallon can play football with us. And for that reason I shall single Fallon out for the man of the match pickings.
Well done Swans, the promotion dream is back alive even if the ball remains firmly in Brentford’s court.
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