Planet Swans ArchivesWhat a difference a week makes. Seven days ago we were clinging on to a goal lead and on the receiving end of constant Blackpool pressure. It was a day that they could not find the target until seven minutes from time and even then we got a point.
Today it was our turn to hand out the battering although for our efforts we had five goals to show for the display and it could have been so many more had it not been for an inspired visiting keeper. It may sound strange but he pulled off some great saves but was powerless to prevent what was a Swansea onslaught.
This was the kind of display that we showed at the early stages of last season but haven’t produced for over twelve months. It was a display that if we could produce week in week out then we would win promotion at a canter with attendances back on the up again in the process. However, for now lets just enjoy the one display because next week it will mean nothing. But today was a joyful day.
Family Day at the stadium meant that my seat in the East Stand was vacated for others to enjoy whilst I moved for the first time behind the goals to sample the view from the South Stand. A sell out in the South Stand saw Santa Claus the main attraction before kick off and when I saw Rory Fallon ask him for “four clear cut chances today please” I just knew that it was to be a good afternoon.
Marcos Painter and Darren Pratley returned to the starting line up after injury and suspension respectively giving the Swans line up a more familiar, if not a stronger feel to it
Willy
Tatey Big Den Kev Imelda
Britts Pratts Craney Robbo
LT10 Rory
Subs: Mesilan, Oakes, Bayo, Izzy, Amankwaah
And the scene for the afternoon was set when within sixty seconds the Carlisle keeper had pulled off a ‘top drawer’ save. Britton, Tate and Pratley combined with ease before a cross was met by the unmarked Fallon with a flying kick that was clawed off the line. A glance at the clock says thirty two seconds gone – what a start that would have been.
But that just delayed the inevitable. A Trundle corner was half cleared to Robinson whose shot was parried but only to Dennis Lawrence, to yards out and with nobody in front of him. One nil with eight minutes gone. The rout was underway.
Seven minutes later one became two. Tate’ quick throw found Pratley in acres of space and his perfect pass from the right found Fallon whose first touch was more than enough to beat the keeper and it was two nil.
Swansea were simply buzzing at this stage. Passes were going exactly where they needed to go, Britton and Pratley had all the space in the world and Craney and Robinson were creating at will. It was surely only a matter of time before the lead was increased.
And it was. Robinson burst through the middle before unleashing a thirty yard shot that gave Westwood no hope and the Swans were three goals to the good. There were 27 minutes on the clock. This was a canter.
Kevin Gall threatened to pull one back but his shot rebounded back off the crossbar with Willy well beaten but it was a rare venture upfield for the visitors who were already beaten now and their objective was a sense of respectability. There could have been more before half time but when the whistle sounded it ended the best first half display of the year by the Swans and a three goal advantage was the very least we deserved.
The second half didn’t start at the same pace as the first ended but within 17 minutes of the restart we had two more goals to show for our efforts – both of them made by Lee Trundle but neither scored by him.
A long clearance looked just that when Trundle set off in pursuit but he made it and looked up from his position on the left to see a perfect run from Pratley that was found by the perfect pass and finished with a perfect shot across the keeper into the corner. Perfect. Four nil.
Five was three minutes later. This time it was Trundle on the right cutting in looking to get in on the goal action. His shot was blocked but Fallon turned and shot home from close range, Swansea had a handful and there was almost half an hour to go.
Ricky Ponting declared this morning and five hundred and something for five, Swansea declared at 5 this afternoon as they eased off the tempo a little but still had good chances through Trunds, Robbo, Fallon and Craney. It could so easily have been more but it wasn’t to be.
A late substitution saw Mesilan replace Painter but that was just to give people a run out as the work had been done, so very well, by the starting eleven. Pratley was announced as man of the match which would have been deserved but to a man we performed this afternoon and that is what we need to do again and again if we are to realise the Chairman’s dream of Championship Football next season.
This was what we needed and if I ended last week with a call for much improvement this week the call is simply – same again next time lads.
Well done one and all.
