Swansea 3 Macclesfield 0

Swansea 3 Macclesfield 0

Swansea moved closer to a fully fit squad with the inclusion of Lenny Johnrose, James Thomas and Karl Connolly on the bench and Brad Maylett who passed a fitness test this afternoon in the starting XI. Kris O’Leary was recalled in place of the injured Leon Hylton with Richard Duffy lining up for his debut start for the Swans at the Vetch.

Freestone

Duffy O’Leary Iriekpen Howard

Maylett Britton Wilson Robinson

Nugent Trundle

Trundle could have put the Swans ahead early on when he flicked a Britton cross from close range but the shot was well saved by the Macclesfield keeper who may have guessed at that point that he was in for a busy night.

The first half was in the main controlled by Swansea with plenty of neat football and shots. Wilson showed that he is the free kick man from the right hand side with two attempts on target which lacked the ‘fizz’ to really test the Macclesfield keeper whilst Trundle’s free kick from the left sailed just over the bar as Swansea looked to create the opening that could easily have opened the floodgates.

It was just past the half hour that the opener came. Wilson played in Britton who beat his marker with his first touch and advanced on the keeper. You just sensed that this was to be the moment and the shot was half saved but only enough to help the ball into the back of the net as Leon turned to celebrate in front of his beloved North Bank. Chants of ‘Leon Leon’ were followed by a rendition of ‘Happy Birthaday’ and the Swans were on their way.

Duffy added a second just before the break – the best goal of the night. Wilson crossed from the right and Duffy rose to direct a powerful header downwards and into the net for his first senior goal and a deserved one from a player that defies his early years.

2-0 at half time and the promise was there for more. Robinson extended that lead early in the second half with a goal that quite probably should have been disallowed but frankly who cares? Was this to be the night that Swansea threatened the 8 goals against Hartlepool from 25 years ago?

In truth, it could easily have been but for some great goalkeeping. Robinson, Wilson, Trundle, Britton and Nugent all had goalbound efforts blocked by the keeper who not only saved well but held onto them when the ever hungry Trundle or Nugent were looming in.

Trundle turned on the style as the half developed with some wonderful trickery on the ball that could fill a ‘showboating’ programme on Sky on it’s own. This man is one of the most exciting players that I have seen at the Vetch in my quarter century down there and is a pure joy to watch.

On individual performances. Several players stood out for me tonight. Duffy was inspired and has his place on Saturday’s teamsheet cemented as far as I am concerned and who is to say that it won’t be his place for some years to come. His touch and attacking play is superb and he compliments that so well with his defending. Izzy and O’Leary looked solid at the back although both could work on their distribution – there are sometimes other options open than to look for Nugent. Howard equalled Duffy first half with his overlapping but second lost that ability.

In midfield, Britton found the space tonight afforded by a team not wanting to hack him down at every opportunity and Maylett is what Maylett is. A winger in the true sense of the word who takes his man on – how we have screamed for this and now we have it. His fitness showed in the second half and I felt maybe he should have been replaced earlier than he was. Robinson and Wilson were quiet although you can see the Premiership rubbing off at Wilson at times and I feel he is able to stand in for Robbie well while he recovers.

Trundle – as mentioned before full of tricks and you sense the anticipation when he has the ball. He could still learn to pass more but you can’t blame him for holding on when he can turn two players inside out at the turn of the eye.

I’ve saved for the end my personal man of the match in Kevin Nugent. For me he will be an unsung hero tonight who never gave up and won much in the air. You could see at the end that he was knackered – a pure sign of giving it all and leading his side on the night by example. He was pushed close for me by Duffy and Britton.

Taking a negative – Connolly instead of Durkan was a better option?

It’s hard to see this side being stopped at the Vetch when they are on this kind of form and it really is a pleasure to watch. I struggle to remember a Swansea side who produce this kind of entertainment and can only gush more praise on the people that made it possible.

3-0 was a great result – it could so easily have been 6 or more but we’re back on the top and I can’t wait for Saturday.

One Happy Jack!

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