Planet Swans ArchivesIn a game which the Swans dominated pretty much from the off and only an inspired performance from the home side’s second choice keeper – Paul Sueke – stopped them winning by some ease in terrible conditions.
The match was delayed by over 15 minutes at the very staff as torrential rain in Sussex caused delays in sweeping the rain off the covers that had been on the pitch for the last couple of days and as the Sky TV cameras waited eventually the two sides emerged from the sheds in which they got changed. Looking for an upset there was always a fear that Horsham could strike us back especially after chance after chance went begging
As expected Roberto Martinez rung the changes in his starting line up bringing in Tate, Austin, O’Leary, Allen, Orlandi, Butler, Bussy and Feeney to the side that started on Tuesday. Reverting back to the traditional 4-4-2 line up, the Swans were as follows
Doris
Rangel Monk Tate Austin
Butler KOL Allen Orlandi
Bauza Feeney
The Swans hit the ground running in total contrast to the tie against Billericay and Feeney in particular looked dangerous in the opening moments. He was booked for taking a free kick too quickly – a free kick that saw Sueke paln it away only to collide with the post as he scrambled across his goal and he received treatment for his injury. But far from hampering him it seemed to inspire him as he kept the Swans at bay with a series of good saves, good command of his area and a general decent all round display. Butler on the right hand side of goal was a constant thorn in the first half as the Swans played down the slope but into the wind. Feeney and Bauza were also playing with threat and it was the two of them that eventually combined to give the Swans a goal. Feeney held off the defenders as he moved down the right edge of the penalty area and his cross was neatly fired home by Bauza – the Spaniard’s fifth goal of the season.
It wasn’t through all plain sailing for the Swans and throughout the first half, Horsham were a constant threat although they failed to deal too well with the wind that was in their favour – certainly not as well as the Swans seemed to deal with it in the second half. And with a half time lead behind them the second goal always seemed to be coming even if it was never to arrive. Orlandi came into the game far more in the second half and was the threat that Butler was in the first half although it was Butler that came closest to doubling the Swans advantage when his well struck looping shot rebounded off the bar to safety.
Changes were made as Duffy, Robinson and Britton were thrown into action at the expense of Feeney, Orlandi and Butler but it made little difference as the Swans carried on searching for the killer second goal. Maybe has Bauza directed his header into the net it would have made all the difference as Horsham found themselves level against the run of play soon after. Alan Tate was adjudged to have pulled back the Horsham player in the area and the referee Kevin Friend had little doubt as he pointed to the spot and with 5 minutes left Lewis Taylor smashed home the penalty to send the home crowd into wild celebrations.
The remaining five minutes and five minutes further of stoppage time were played with Horsham probably the most likely to grab a winner but in fairness it never looked like coming. The final whistle and Horsham celebrated possibly the best result in their history and the Swans were left with the prospect of a replay at the Liberty in just over one week’s time.
This was a game that we dominated. It was a game where we created enough chances to win several times over but it was one of those night’s where it wasn’t to be – a mixture of great keeping, poor conditions and poor finishing cost us and Horsham rightly so can celebrate their achievements and it was a night that the FA Cup proved what magic it can provide.
We should still progress into Round Three and at least in the replay we will know exactly what prize awaits the victors.
Onwards and upwards – two league games to worry about first.
