Planet Swans ArchivesThe Swans moved into the top five of the division this afternoon with a comfortable win against a Millwall side who, on the evidence presented this afternoon, will be playing League Two football next season.
Make no mistake about it, the two goal difference could easily have been double or treble that and the visitors could have little to complain about had it ended that way. And to be honest, I write that without even thinking that we hit top gear at any stage during the afternoon although there was little doubt that we wanted this far more.
With changes inflicted on us due to injuries to both Darren Way and Kevin Amankwaah, the Swans lined up as follows
Willy
Tatey Big Den Izzy Williams
Leon Pratters OTJ Robbo
Rory LT10
Subs: Jones, Butler, Oakes, Bayo, Austin
A perfectly respected minutes silence for those that lost their lives at Aberfan 40 years ago yesterday was a credit to both sets of fans with not a single murmur heard from the crowd during the 60 seconds. It was the quietest that the Liberty was to be for the next 90 minutes or so with several scuffles on the pitch matched by a hostile atmosphere off it. Hostile in a good way though as it made for a lively game and something that all too often is missing when we have small away followings.
Millwalls best chance came in the second minute when hesitation between Izzy and Lawrence allowed their striker to nip in but when well placed he snatched his chance to put it wide and leave the game not on the receiving end of the early goal.
And from that moment on it was Swansea’s game. A midfield of Pratley and OTJ battled for every ball and won many as Millwall were simply over run and outplayed. Tate and Leon combined as well on the right as Robbo and Williams did on the left with the only half disappointment being Rory Fallon who just looked off the pace for much of today’s game – a game in which he could easily have thrived.
We had already hit the bar when Lawrence stooped to head home when unmarked from the resulting corner and he celebrated his first Swansea goal in front of the East Stand. A piece of Trundle magic could – and should – have doubled the advantage minutes later but the left foot could only drag it wide when the right foot would have surely slotted it home.
Tate was booked for winning the ball and the first of many scuffles also saw Craig booked for retaliation. Comic moment of the game was the game stopping for a Millwall player to get treatment to a head injury before Haynes (?) elected to tell us he was passing the drop ball back before then running with it. A booking for being a cheat (unsporting behaviour) ensued and a five minute scuffle that resulted in three minutes of stoppage time. You can work out the maths on that one.
With several other chances going begging in the first half there was still a worry at half time that one goal may not be enough but within five minutes of the restart. Trundle was fed by Robinson who had won the ball with another sterling effort and as the striker lost control it was Fallon who picked it up, hit a cross goal shot that succeeded in finding Britton who scored for the second weekend running. At two nil the game was as good as over.
And with Millwall beaten, the Swans created plenty of chances to really bury them in almost Bristol City fashion from twelve months back. Pratley, Britton and Tate were finding space so easily that I swear at one point that they were considering selling off some of the land they had there was so much of it. Poor final balls or poor decision making at times cost us more goals.
Trundle missed a penalty after he himself was fouled inside the box and his powerful shot rebounded off the keeper who probably knew little about it. There could have been more, there should have been more but by the final whistle we had to settle for the two and the joyful sight of the young Chris Jones making his league debut.
Swansea into the top five and heading off to Northampton for a game against a side that is yet to win at home this season. Oh how we would like to maintain that run for them
Onwards and for today upwards.
