Tranmere 2 Swansea 2

Rejected by Tranmere in the past, it was probably fitting that it was Robinson that popped up at the end as it looked as if all hope had gone for the Swans despite pretty much constant pressure for the second half having been on the receiving end in the first half. And fighting back from a goal down twice in the game shows the spirit currently running through the squad as they stretched the unbeaten run in the league to six and, along with Huddersfield, opened up a five point lead over the chasing pack.

Backed by a travelling support of 731, the Swans lined up as follows

Big Willy

Tatey Izzy Monk Sam

Leon KOL OTJ Macca

Bayo Lord Lee

Subs: Forbsey, Roberto, Robbo, Big Kev, Connor

Swansea were under the cosh pretty much from the opening minutes as they struggled to get a foot on the ball and control the play as we know they can do. Tranmere were finding space at will and were also first to every (and there were plenty) loose ball. Aiston was giving Ricketts a torrid time down the flank and Monk and Izzy looked flat for much of the first half. Tranmere had already shown their intent when Willy was forced to finger tip a ball onto the bar before they scored.

And when they did take the lead it was simplicity in itself. Francis found himself in space just inside the Swansea defence and basically just run at the Swansea defence. As we parted to give him a sight of goal he needed no second invitation and his shot went past Willy at the near post to send the home fans into excitement and the away fans wondering if this was to be just another one of those days. It was no less than Tranmere deserved and as they pressed again it was hard not to wonder if there was worse to come.

Swansea though were being assisted by misplaced or overhit passes from the home side and when the Swans were handed a free kick on the edge of the Tranny area you just wondered if this was the moment for the quiet Trundle. It wasn’t and his free kick was blocked by the wall but the ball fell invitingly for Mcleod whose perfect cross was headed home with a bullet header from Tudur-Jones. The Swans had played their ‘get out of jail free card’ to effect and with a minute to the break it was surely to be 1-1.

Nope. Tranmere lofted a ball over our defence and the impressive Delroy Facey ran onto it and calmly waited before placing the ball under Willy to give the home side a 2-1 advantage – a scoreline possibly still flattering from our point of view.

Changes were needed at half time and Jackett played the card that most people at the ground could call with the introduction of captain Martinez at the expense of KOL. Robbo was the second addition for Macca and it was to set the tone for a completely different 45 minutes. Whilst much of the first half had been played in front of the Swansea fans, the same fans were relieved to see much of the second half get played there as well. Roberto provided the calming influence that we had missed in the first half and the hit and hope ball had disappeared and Swansea were playing some football again. Forbes for Britton was the final throw from Jackett with 20 minutes to go but that was after Facey had missed a glorious chance to wrap up proceedings when he blasted over with an open goal calling his name.

Monk appeared to have missed the chance to save a point for the Swans when he blasted over following a save from a low Trundle free kick and frustration looked like it would be the word of the day for the Swans. That was until that man Robinson stepped up to become the hero in front of his watching family. Tudur Jones (?) had a shot blocked and as the ball broke free Robinson beat Trundle to the ball to hammer home and the Swans were level – deservedly so. There was still time for Forbes to hit the post with a header but that would have been harsh on the home side but would we have complained?

The whistle signalled what in the end was definitely a point won for the Swans rather than two lost and with Southend losing again – the top two are beginning to see real daylight forming between them and the chasing pack which can only be good news. Two home games are next on the agenda for the Swans and 6 points from those would go down very very well.

Swans MOTM for me will be a close shave between Robbo for his goal and Roberto for being Roberto with the latter just edging it – his introduction changed the game for us and I say that with no malice intended against KOL.

Well done for keeping battling Swans and as they say “That’s why we’re top of the league”

JACK ARMY!