Skipper Tate headed home Mark Gower's injury time free kick to earn a point for the Swans as it looked as if they were going to end up without any reward yet again.
It seemed as if the best chance had passed Swansea by as the returning Lee Trundle had missed a glorious opportunity just minutes earlier to bring the Swans back level after they trailed for most of the second half.
And again it ended an afternoon of frustration for the Swans who seemed to have the lions share of possession but only really threatened for a sustained period after the introduction of Trundle midway through the second half. His presence seemed to lift the Swans performance and maybe there should be a chance to start in the attacking midfield role that was filled so well last season by Jordi Gomez.
Paulo – as expected – handed a debut to Craig Beattie the club's new record signing who wore the Number 9 shirt worn so well by Jason Scotland for the past two seasons. With Rangel and Monk suspended in came Matty Collins and Marcos Painter to complete a back line with the Swans lining up as follows
Dorus
Collins Tate Williams Painter
Britton Orlandi Lopez
Dyer Gower
Beattie
The return of Trundle had placed an estimated 1500-2000 extra people on the gate with over 14,000 turning up for the game to see if the Swans could grab their first league goal of the campaign at the Liberty whilst I suspect a few were also wondering if we could maintain 11 men on the pitch after the madness of midweek.
The Swans started well enough although one too many players appeared to be a little bit off the pace and that in itself was enough to stifle any attacking threat that we may have – for the first twenty minutes or so anyway.
Beattie was getting little quality service of his own with the midfield of Britton, Orlandi and Lopez seemingly unable to provide the passes that could break through the Watford defence. It was Mark Gower who came the closest to opening the scoring when he met Collins' (?) cross with a thundering volley that came back off the bar – the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in an uneventful opening period.
No changes at half time and little change in the style of play during the opening stages of the second half made you wonder if there was ever going to be a goal in the game. Swansea were gaining the slight upper hand but there was little to test the visiting keeper as they lacked the touch that would stretch Watford at the back.
But there was a goal to come and it came after Williams lunged in and was penalised with a foul and a yellow card for his trouble. It was a decision the crowd disagreed with but it did seem to be a foul from where I was sat but that does not excuse the sloppy defending from the resulting free kick. Graham received the ball almost unmarked and his shot seemed to elude De Vries (through his legs?) and went into the back of the net to give the visitors the lead – a lead they probably didn't deserve.
Paulo's response was immediate and Trundle came on to a huge standing ovation from the Liberty – replacing Leon Britton in the process. He was immediately in the game and whilst match fitness may not be perfect he seemed to lift the players and he wanted the ball where others were quite not so forthcoming.
Swansea all of a sudden started to threaten a little more – Beattie looked more lively with a strike partner alongside him whilst both Painter and Collins seemed to be more in the attack as the Swans looked for the equaliser. Beattie had what seemed a strong shout for a penalty turned down whilst Painter threatened as he burst into the box but was unable to bring the ball under total control.
It looked like a fairytale return for Trundle as he was presented with the easiest chance of the afternoon just a minute from time when the ball came perfectly onto his head but somehow he steered his header wide when it looked easier to score.
And that everyone assumed was that until Tate rose highest to head home Gower's free kick and rescue a point for his team – a point that on balance they deserved.
Five games into the season, five points on the board and two weeks off now due to the international break is probably just what the Swans needed as they look to their physio team to get the missing players back to fitness. And midfield wise we really need that to happen sooner rather than later.
