Planet Swans ArchivesThere is still something eerie about the Liberty Stadium when there are only two stand open and deep into the distance you can see a small away support tucked away into the corner. And I guess maybe there is something worse that that small away support tucked away in the corner outsings the home support but that’s another story for another day.
At least from now the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy starts to get interesting. You can almost see the twin towers arch in the distance as you suddenly realise there are only four sides left in your section and one of those will get to play at Wembley. Sadly the competition’s biggest draw of the season – Leeds United – are knocked out this evening so Swansea are instilled as the favourites to triumph for the second time in three years.
And if I were a Yeovil fan this evening I would probably feel that my team didn’t deserve to lose but, hey I came away from Oldham on the opening day thinking the same thing and we didn’t beat Forest and we deserved to – them is the breaks you know cider munching people.
The game itself passed in pretty much a haze of mediocrity as too many mistakes, too little goalmouth opportunities and a general feeling of “nobody wanted to be here tonight” encompassed the Liberty Stadium as the Swans took their unbeaten run to 10 games stretching back almost two months to a defeat at Elland Road.
Tinkerman (!) Roberto again made the changes with his selection as predicted although there was no placed for the predicted return of Darren Way.
Doris
Amankwaah Monk Tate Austin
Anderson Pratley Allen Orlandi
Duffy Bussy
There is little doubt that Yeovil had the best of the first half chances and should have been at least a goal to the good before we took the lead. Confusion reigned on more than one occasion in the Swansea defence and a combination of frantic defending, good keeping and poor finishing kept the scoreline to nil nil.
Alan Tate had already disappeared and re-appeared for treatment and application of a head bandage when he played a big part in the Swans taking the lead five minutes before the break.
A Paul Anderson corner from the right found its way to Tate who fired a low shot that Mildenhall could only parry before it rebounded to the head of Bauza who headed in from a range that he couldn’t miss from – his fourth of the season and his third in two games – surely worth a start Friday on his current form? The relief was evident and the Swans were ahead.
Half time came and went and the second half followed a similar pattern to the first. Misplaced passes, sloppy play and the occasional half chance to either side was the name of the game as Yeovil again dominated possession but Swansea had maybe the slightly better chances. De Vries was called upon once to keep the Swans in the game whilst Duffy had the best shot Swans wise in the second half that was well saved by Mildenhall.
Bodde, Butler and Scotland were introduced at varying intervals during the second half and whilst Bodde and Butler made a difference it wasn’t significant enough to say that it really gave the Swans the upper edge. But in fairness they were never really tested second half as Yeovil seemed to lose heart – maybe believing their departure from the competition was inevitable.
Five minutes of injury time passed with no incident and the Swans progressed into the area semi finals – the last 8 of the competition overall.
The Premier Club man of the match was given to Alan Tate although I would have picked his defensive partner Garry Monk who was once again immense at the heart of the Swansea defence. Well, as immense as you can be in a poor game to watch!
Another step closer to Wembley – back to league action on Friday!
