Swansea 4 Scunthorpe 2

Swansea 4 Scunthorpe 2

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Paul Connor hit two goals on his Vetch Field debut as the post Brian Flynn era started with three points for the Swans after they fell behind to a sucker Scunthorpe blow. Kevin Nugent and Andy Robinson with a penalty were also on target.

The overnight rain had eased come kick off time but a strong gale blew around the Vetch Field as you couldn’t walk around the ground without seeing microphones and TV cameras looking for the fans reactions to the surprise departure of Brian Flynn and Kevin Reeves earlier in the week. Yours truly did a two minute interview with Soccer Sunday so expect to see that crammed in before the two minutes and twenty two seconds of coverage.

After much debate the Swans lined up as follows:

Freestone

Byrne S Jones Tate Howard

Roberts Martinez Britton Robinson

Nugent Connor

Subs: Murphy, Trundle, Coates, Maylett, Connolly

A swirling wind around the Vetch Field made for some interesting high balls in a pretty dire first half livened up only by one goal from either side. Scunthorpes’ was a result of a defensive mix up between Tate and Jones who managed only to get in each others way before the ball was played out to Taylor whose powerful shot was no match for the dive of Roger Freestone to give the visitors the lead. The questions would have been asked around the Vetch at this time regarding the decision to get rid of the management as the Swans had looked unable to break down a Scunthorpe side who themselves were being denied their normal game plan by the wind.

Swansea though drew level with a needless penalty conceded by the visitors. A good deep cross from Stuart Roberts on the right was always going to evade Connor but a shove in his back left the referee with no hesitation but to point to the penalty spot – Andy Robinson duly converting the chance to bring the Swans level. Renewed optimism at half time?

And that optimism was rewarded within two minutes of the re-start. Stuart Roberts again broke down the right and his cross was converted by Kevin Nugent to give the Swans the lead. And two minutes later it could have been three as Tate got his foot to a Martinez free kick from the right only to see the keeper save at point blank range to deny the centre half his second goal of the season. This was already looking like a much improved Swans display on recent performances and also on the first half showing.

There was a further lift on the hour when top scorer Lee Trundle returned to action. Copies of the Evening Post around the ground showed Trundle on the front page claiming that Flynn should have had more time but time was not something Trundle needed to ignite his partnership with Connor – something that could prove to be very valuable to the Swans as they move forward.

Another cross from the right was touched by Trundle within a minute of his appearance and although the keeper saved, the rebound fell only to Connor who hammered home his first Swansea goal and gave the home side a two goal cushion.

But they weren’t finished. On 70 minutes a sharp through ball saw Connor break one on one with the keeper and he showed the composure needed to round him as he dived and as he slid the ball into the back of the empty net, Swansea fans rose as one to ask the question ‘is this what Trundle has needed all season’ If Connor was Brian Flynn’s parting present to the Swans then on this kind of form thanks Brian, we do appreciate it.

With 20 minutes left there was time for Swansea to increase their lead and as Brad Maylett replaced the tiring Andy Robinson, Roberts switched to the left wing leaving Maylett on the right. After maybe seeing his confidence boosted by a couple of recent goals Maylett was again showing the ability to take on the defender and reach the by line and a couple more goals could have followed – one chance falling to Connor who could have completed a hat trick.

In the middle of those two chances Scunthorpe pulled a goal back through Taylor after a goalmouth scramble. The referee chose to ignore the flag of his linesman and gave the goal but this was to be Swansea’s day and the winwas more than welcomed.

You can draw your own judgements whether this was Flynn’s team proving a point that he was the man for them or whether they just wanted to put the week behind them and play to win as they should do. On the showing, the first half was no real improvement on recent weeks- the second half was markedly so.

A disappointing crowd of 4,400 – down through the rugby and recent performances in the main went home happy.

Clear man of the match for me was Paul Connor – this could be the strike partner that Trundle has needed for so long and a return to two wide men definitely made the side look more effective and dangerous going forward – especially in the second half.

How long Alan Curtis is in charge remains to be seen and the name of Steve Cotterill becomes mentioned more and more often as a replacement for Brian Flynn. Full credit to the players today for the will to win even when a goal behind and long may that continue.

A new era has opened at the Vetch and it has started in the best possible way.

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Why not check out the latest Vetch Verdict on the BBC site?