Planet Swans ArchivesPutting aside any discussions of arbitration hearing, the Swans gave their supporters the send off we craved with four goals in the first half – including a hat-trick from Guillem Bauza as the Swans went goal crazy.
There were moments where the Swans were at their very best during the course of the afternoon and it became very evident very quickly in the game just how much influence Garry Monk has had on the team this season – undoubtedly my player of the season by some distance even when you consider how strong the competition has been. Monk was outstanding again at the heart of defence and seemed to add a composure to proceedings that has been lacking at times.
And with Paul Anderson totally outstanding in the first forty five minutes there was little that Leyton Orient could do to compete with the Swans as they looked the classic "nothing to play for side" during that opening period. The Swans strung some excellent passing movements together and were good value for the four goal half time advantage.
And on the day that the memorial bust was unveiled in tribute to Swans legend Robbie James maybe it was somewhat appropriate that the Swans delivered a performance worthy of the divisional champions.
Along with Monk and Anderson, the Swans gave a start to Owain Tudur Jones – his first since November 1996 whilst Marcos Painter was back in place of Kevin Austin at left back and Angel Rangel in again at right back
De Vries
Rangel Monk Lawrence Painter
Anderson Britton OTJ Robinson
Scotland Bauza
So, the four goals. Anderson grabbed the first – probably the best of the lot – when he cut inside and hammered an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area past the Orient keeper to give the Swans the lead – there was less than 19 minutes on the clock. He ran to 'deliverance corner' delivering the swim away probably earning him legendary status in that part of the ground.
Bauza grabbed the second. Anderson crossed from the right (at least I think it was Anderson) and Scotland tried to grab it under control. He was probably pushed and had Bauza not been on hand to fire home it would/could/should have been a penalty but the shot was stabbed home. 2-0, 25 minutes gone.
Ten minutes later it was three. Scotland broke the offside trap from a Robinson pass (again I think it was Robinson) but was halted by the Orient keeper heading it clear but only to Bauza who showed great composure to slot home into the empty net from 30 yards. Easy enough it sounds but you see these missed quite often but not today this was the end of season party.
And his hat trick came just before half time when he headed against the bar and down and the linesman's flag signal heralded a hat trick for the Spaniard and a four goal advantage for the Swans – great stuff.
As happens so often the second half after that always ends as an "after the lord mayors show" type thing and that was how it proved today as the second half never lived up to the excitement of the first. Scotland missed not one, not two but three great chances to increase his goal tally past the 30 goal barrier but it just wasn't to be.
Wayne Gray grabbed the only half of the goal as consolation for Orient after a cross that evaded Dorus De Vries but it was not to dampen the party as the Swans celebrated their promotion in style – only time will tell whether there is silverware to go with that or not.
This was a great day – roll on Brighton next weekend and thank you to Leyton Orient for their great touch of the guard of honour at the start
