Match report

Video clips

The first thirty minutes brought plenty of youthful promise for the Swans as they dominated an Oldham side that looked as though they hadn't got out of bed. Phillips and Coates battled gamely in the middle of the park, and Roberts and Verschave continually stretched the opposition with their pacy running, and Boyd twisted and turned (with or without the ball) to create more headaches for the visiting defence. And through some neat approach play, the cygnets fashioned a number of threatening attacks, whilst barely looking under any sort of threat themelves. Indeed, Oldham's only impact on the half was a series of vicious challenges on Jason Price, the third of which resulted in a booking for their thuggish centre forward, Matthew Tipton.

The first clean strike came from Boyd, who struck a low shot goalwards after some superb wing play by Roberts, only to see it saved. Verschave also produced a sound strike on goal, which was parried by the keeper, but the Swans took a deserved lead after 22 minutes when the Oldham keeper rushed from his goal but scuffed his clearance striaght to Roberts. In one of the classic moments of the season, Stu calmly controlled by the ball with his left foot before chipping a delightful lob over the retreating keeper into the back of the net. Some would say it was an open goal, but the coolness of the finish summed up why this player has been one of the few shining lights of this dismal campaign. And he came close again shortly afterwards, striking a powerful shot following a jinking run, this time foiled by the keeper.

At half time it was looking like a cakewalk for the Swans - at least some respectability salvaged. But it was not to be. A breakaway goal on the hour saw to that, as a simple through ball caught our back four flat footed, and on-line striker Sam Parkin found himself in a one on one with Jason Jones - he coolly rounded him and slotted the ball home (no blame on Jason for that one). Suddenly, the whole pattern of the game changed, and Oldham were sparked into action. They began stringing passes together and generally dominating the play, and apart from a couple of decent runs and crosses from Roberts, we failed to fashion anything dangerous going forward.

In a desperate attempt to salvage the game, we made a radical tactical change, bringing on Cusack for Todd, and moving to a 3 - 3 - 4 formation. But from the kick off disaster struck as the visitors broke down our left side, exposed by the absence of Todd, and after a strange ricocheted cross, the ball was struck home by Parkin. The visiting fans, strangely vocal considering how quiet they are at their home ground, went into raptures. Our own fans, who had spent most of the game singing anti-Cardiff and anti-England songs anyway, predictably directed their ire towards Hollins.

The last 20 minutes was all "Loony Tunes". The Swans brought on Appleby for Phillips, and moved to a 3 - 2 - 5 formation. To be fair, Richie played well for this spell, showing some good control and some nice touches. He nearly brought us back into it when he struck a superb dipping volley from the edge of the box, which had the north bank celebrating a goal, before seeing the ball come back off the inside of the post. In the final minutes, Mumford came on, operating as a lone midfield play-maker, as the Swans moved to a 3 - 1 -6 formation (no kidding), with John and Alan indulging in some "Championship Manager" tactics to try to salvage something (well, why not!). It was amusing in the final minute, with 9 Swans players in the opposition half, and the ball at the feet of Jason Jones, to hear one north-banker berate our keeper for hoofing it long!!! Quite what he expected him to do with it, I don't know! The final whistle saw little reaction at all from the home fans, many of whom had already made their way towards the nearest hostelry.

Jones - 7 To be fair, had little chance with goals and otherwise had nothing difficult to do.
Howard - 6 Struggled to make an impact going forward.
Price - 6 As above, but worked very hard.
Todd - 6 A definite safety first approach, but he is maturing with every game.
Bound - 7 Always a safety first approach and did not deserve the criticism that he got from some north bankers.
Jenkins - 5 Very disappointing - his control let him down and he was weak in the tackle.
Coates - 6 A tidy performance from a player who is a long way off his best.
Phillips - 7 A very combative first half, though he faded in the second (perhaps not surprising - he is a promising young player)
Roberts - 8 (MOM) A great first half performance, in which he roved to both wings and looked dangerous in every attacking position. Great goal too. Faded in the last half hour.
Verschave - 7 A lively and dangerous first half, but a relatively innocuous second.
Boyd - 6 Looked good in the first half hour, but then disappeared from view.
Cusack - 5 Brought on in a desperate target man role, but barely won a header (not really his fault, as this is not his position)
Appleby - 8 A nice cameo from Richie, who showed that his temperament seems to be improving as well as his game.
Mumford - Not on long enough to make an assessment, but battled hard in his midfield role.

So as we draw a veil over this awful season, we will not doubt all be reflecting on what when wrong and when. Today was the season in microcosm - early promise, a lot of youthful exuberance, some nice moments, an early zenith, but then it all fell apart...big-time! Still, I predict a win at Oxford, next week. And there are some nice away trips to look forward to next year (Rushden is local for us!!!) "If you're all going to Shrewsbury, clap your hands!!!"