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Jan Molby was left to fume a referee decision in the first half that was the only real point of interest in the first 45 minutes before the Swans returned to their best for the second period.
With their goalkeeper lying still on the floor, the official allowed play to continue and a flick header from Paul Connor hit the back of the unguarded net to give the Swans the lead and much protest from the Kidderminster touchline.
Molby on three occasions told the fourth official that ‘it was b ll cks’ and in fairness he was right as a decision went the way of the Swans, seven days after they felt hard done by at Yeovil with the award of a late penalty after an offside claim.
Connor’s delight was in complete contrast to Molby’s reaction as the Swans took their places back ready for the kick off whilst the opposition keeper received lengthy treatment for an injury sustained from a challenge with Izzy from the previous corner.
It was a decision that would have rightly infuriated any manager and as the opening goal of the game I would expect that Molby will claim it to be a turning point in an otherwise dull first half.
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With Garry Monk suspended, Jackett opted not to bring Alan Tate back into the fold, moving Kevin Austin into the centre of defence, Ricketts switching to left back and a Vetch debut for Andy Gurney at right back.
Tate though was in the action after half hour when Izzy was taken off after a challenge on the edge of the area that presumably tweaked his ankle slightly.
However, the first half past Connor’s goal was producing little of excitement and it was no surprise when the 45 minutes passed with just the one goal as both sides struggled in a swirling wind at the Vetch.
Whatever was said in the dressing room at half time was the right thing to say as the second half saw Swansea attack at will and the end result was to flatter Kidderminster who offered little resistance to some swift passing, moving and shots at goal.
Lee Trundle was in on the act after just 8 minutes of the half, receiving the ball with his back to goal, turning onto his left foot and sliding home from six yards in typical Trundle fashion. |
SWANSEA |
| Gueret |
| Gurney |
| Austin |
| Iriekpen |
| Ricketts |
| Forbes |
| Martinez |
| O’Leary |
| Connor |
| Trundle |
| Robinson |
|
KIDDERMINSTER |
| Danby |
| Burton |
| Hatswell |
| Jenkins |
| McHale |
| Appleby |
| Brown |
| Foster |
| McMahon |
| Christiansen |
| Langmead |
|
REFEREE |
| F Graham |
|
ATTENDANCE |
| 6,462 |
This was to set the trend to the half that showed Trundle back to his very best with some deft touches and complete winding up of the opposition defenders.
Robinson struck the post and had two more powerful efforts saved by the keeper as Swansea found the space that they found so easily 12 months ago and Kidderminster looked as if they were ready to be buried under the pressure.
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Connor and Jenks challenge for the ball |
At the back the new pairing of Tate and Austin were keeping at bay what little Kidderminster had to offer leaving space for Ricketts and Gurney to join the attacks that were increasing in numbers.
Both Forbes and Robinson were creating space on the flanks and Trundle in particular was combining brilliantly with Robbo out on the left creating some great runs.
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Izzy watched on as the corner is cleared |
Connor was booked despite his protests after some handbags after Trundle was felled and the only real mystery seemed to be over why the referee had to ask his linesman on three separate occasions which player he was booking. I assume that his memory isn’t what it used to be as he kept running back to the touchline to ask the question again.
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Goals |
Two chances came and went Connor’s way after a pull back from Forbes and a pin point cross from Trundle but the striker got the reward that his efforts deserved when he tapped in Leon Britton’s cross three minutes from time.
Britton had come on for Forbes ten minutes earlier and looked like a dog let off his leash as he ran and ran at the Kidderminster defence – on that showing a starting place will be his again sooner rather than later.
Nugent had a goal disallowed soon after he replaced Connor but three was a more than satisfactory finish to an afternoon that started with controversy and ended with Swansea playing arguably their best football of 2004.
The sponsors man of the match was announced as Kristian O’Leary, my own personal choice would have been Sam Ricketts who is impressing me more and more each game. |
| Swansea |
| Connor (16,87) |
| Trundle (53) |
| Kidderminster |
| None |
| Card Count |
| Booked |
| Swansea |
| Trundle 45 |
| Connor 62 |
| Gurney 73 |
| Kidderminster |
| Appleby 30 |
| McMahon 61 |
| Sent Off |
| Swansea |
| None |
| Kidderminster |
| None |
| Match Pictures |
| CLICK HERE |
Last week was a game of two halves which the Swans lost but today the difference in the second 45 minutes was just incredible. If that was down to something in the half time tea then let’s have a cuppa at 2.45 in future.
The real joy though has to be seeing Trundle back to his very best and the smiles exchanged between Kenny Jackett and Kevin Nugent during the second half suggested that they liked what they saw and that a plan was coming together.
Make no mistake Kidderminster were a poor side but not many sides would have lived with the second half performance. 13 points from 8 games, onwards and upwards!
CLICK HERE FOR MATCH PICTURES |
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