Planet Swans ArchivesThere are some things that you wait ages for and Gower’s first competitive goal was one of those. Today was his 53rd appearance for the club but finally it was time to lose the burden of not scoring during the first 52 appearances in a Swans shirt.
He was on hand to hammer home a clinical cross from Angel Rangel to break the deadlock against a QPR side already down to ten men thanks to the sending off of Martin Rowlands for two bookable offences.
Ten men became nine men and one nil became two nil thanks to Lee Trundle but it was Gower’s moment that broke the deadlock on an afternoon which always suggested that the first goal would be the most vital.
And the fact that it was Gower that got the first almost made it doubly special as he took a yellow card for his celebration that saw him engulfed by his team mates and several members of the South Stand to a visible relief that was always going to come with the first goal.
But if it was the name of Gower that went on the scoresheet it was the name of Dorus De Vries that Paulo can thank for keeping the scoreline to 0-0 after two top class saves in the opening minutes of the second half to keep the scoreline blank. First from point blank range he kept out a header that seemed destined for the back of the net whilst minutes later he was again called into action to keep out Routledge’s effort that again looked destined to open the scoring.
And that started off an eventful second half and probably summed up what was one of the Swans better performances of the season on an afternoon when the confidence slowly seemed to be returning to the side.
The Swans lined up at the start of the game as follows
Dorus
Rangel Monk Williams Tate
Britton
Dyer Pratley Gower Butler
Dobbie
The opening stages of the game saw the visitors gain an early upper hand and the Swans looked a little shakey at the back as a couple of efforts fizzed just past the post and bar at the end of some enterprising play from QPR. In fairness to the visitors they look a lively side who came here with every confidence that they could build on their useful start to the season.
But slowly the Swans got into the game and Dyer in particular was causing concern in the Rangers defence whilst the midfield was slowly gaining a control on the game whilst Dobbie was always a willing outlet up front.
At the back we were slowly getting more secure and chances were appearing as holes started to show in the QPR defence. Shots from distance though were not testing the visiting keeper although a low stinger from Dobbie did but the 0-0 half time scoreline I guess should have been no surprise – it’s almost become the norm at the moment.
QPR started the second half in similar fashion to the first – on top – and the previously mentioned saves from De Vries were the only things that kept us on level terms at that moment. But we were soon to be handed an initiative as Rowlands hacked down Dyer and immediately turned to start his walk to the tunnel having been booked in the first 45 minutes and knowing a second yellow was on it’s way.
How many times have you seen written that people found it harder against ten men and you wondered if that would be the case today especially with QPR always looking a threat on the attack – a threat they actually continued when they went down to nine men but it was the Swans who opened the scoring.
Rangel’s cross was hammered home by Gower at the far post and the Swans were ahead with the second goal by a non defender from open play in the league this season. It has long since been commented that “When Gower gets one……” and if his confidence in front of goal was ever dented then today should at least lift that – nice one Mark!!
As the Swans looked to build on that, the game opened up and both sides went in search of a goal that – certainly from our point of view – would kill the game off. And that task became easier when Ben Watson was shown a second yellow card in five minutes for deliberate handball and the visitors were down to nine men.
The Swans were in total control and prepared to pass the ball around patiently waiting for the gaps that would inevitably appear. Dyer created one of those gaps and had the choice of Trundle and Gower to pick out as he burst into the penalty area. Trundle was nearest and the perfect pass was finished with some ease to double the Swans advantage and secure the three points.
Time was played out with no scares at the Swans end but a couple of half chances for the home side but there was no further scoring and the three points were gratefully accepted in a good performance.
7 points from the last 9 available is good form to head into the international break with and Paulo can reflect on a job well done whilst Mark Gower can finally remember what it’s like to score a goal.
