Exeter
Van Heusden
Whitworth
Watson
Campbell
McConnell
Cronin
Ampadu
Roscoe
Tomlinson
Roberts
Read

About 350 hardy Swans fans gathered behind the goal at St James Park today. Among them a fair smattering of internetters, including Gary, Dai, Andrew, etc. It was good to see all of them, but a particular pleasure to see Tony & Michael Santore from Pennsylvania - after todays performance, we hope they'll be coming to more games! Also spotted making his way into the game before kick-off was Mike Davenport - ex physio.

As for the game, the Swans remarkably produced a terrific team performance, by far their best away performance of the season, to outclass an Exeter side that was made to look anything but play-off candidates. The Swans dominated from the start, making most of the running in a subdued opening period, but without forcing a clear chance - a shot wide from Sidibe being their best effort. The Swans front two (Watkin & Sidibe) were linking together well during this period, and were being ably supported by the darting runs of Brodie who was operating just behind them. The rest of the midfield were equally industrious, particularly the hard-working Cusack. But it was the raids down the right flank by the excellent Terry Evans that were proving our best attacking weapon in the early stages, with several testing crosses being delivered by the full-back. The best of these on the 20th minute was cleared away by ex-Swan Kwame Ampadu.

In the 24th minute the Swans faithful were screaming penalty as Sidibe broke through, following a neat ball by Brodie and seemed to have his shirt tugged by a desperate home defender. Shortly after the home side launched their first serious attack of the game when a low cross was cleared by Cusack. On 33 minutes a flash of brilliance by Brodie very nearly set big Mama through on goal, but he was foiled by the outstretched leg of a defender. And a few minutes later we produced our best move of the game which resulted in a Terry Evans cross causing mayhem in the home defence. We had a flutter just before half time when Roger dropped a corner but the resulting shot was blocked by the Swans defence. But we still had time to almost snatch the lead when another great move down our right saw Sidibe feed Watkin who crossed to Brodie who then touched the ball to the overlapping Michael Howard - his low strike was well saved by Van Heusden.

We reflected on a first half in which the Swans had gelled particularly well as a unit, but had not yet capitalised on their territorial domination. Our defence however, had been superb, with the Centre-back trio of O'Leary, Sharp and Mumford looking particularly mobile and robust (not too much turkey for these lads!) So there was plenty of reason for optimism for the second half.

And the lads did not let us down. Tactically, we made a subtle change by taking a more direct approach, and it was not long before the blistering pace of Sidibe was leaving the Exeter full-backs roasted. We nearly took the lead on 49 minutes - Sidibe laid the ball back to Howard, who crossed for big Mama to head on goal. Substitute red-haired keeper Fraser parried, and Coates seemed to be pushed as he failed to net the rebound. Exeter responded with a good ball into the box which was cleared well. But we were soon back on the attack when a neat move culminated in a disappointing Brodie shot. We were now passing the ball particularly well and looking extremely mobile in attack. On 55 minutes another good cross by Howard found Sidibe, whose neat touch set up Brodie for a vicious shot which was deflected wide for a corner. At this stage it was all Swansea and it was no surprise when another twisting Sidibe run led to him being brought down in the box in the 57th minute - Watkin converted the penalty coolly.

The Swans were now rampant and a minute later Sidibe again rounded the last defender and was foiled only by a desperate save by Fraser. A minute later a great burst of pace from big Mama carried him past 2 more defenders and he seemed set to double our lead but his powerful low strike hit the outside of the post. The Captain Cusack got in on the act - his excellent drive from 25 yards parried behind by the overworked (small keeper!) Fraser. The shell-shocked home side tried to muster some response but their best effort was another low cross which was volleyed clear by Cusack. Then on 70 minutes we got the second goal that we deserved. Another mazy run from Sidibe, this time past 3 defenders, allowed him to set up Steve Watkin who coolly controlled and fired home from 12 yards.

The joy was marred a little when Sidibe then left the field (keep up Gary!) with an ankle injury - lets hope its not too bad. He was replaced by Williams & the Swans were undeterred as Big John took up the battle where Big Mama had left off, and began to torment the left side of the Exeter rear-guard. On 78 mins Watkin shot wide after some good work by Williams, and the home sides only response was a wayward effort which well cleared our cross-bar. The third goal did not flatter the Swans when it arrived in the 86 minute. Williams dribbled past 3 defenders before firing in a low shot, which was well saved by Fraser - the terrier like Watkin retrieved the rebound & squared to Coates whose initial shot was parried but he was able to convert the rebound. The final whistle brought great joy to the visiting supporters and players alike.

Freestone - 8 Did not have a direct shot to save but marshalled the whole team well.
Howard - 7 solid in defence & supplied some good crosses
Sharp - 7 mobile & good in the air
O'Leary - 7 looking increasingly solid in this role
Mumford - 8 rock-like at the back & distributed the ball well
Evans - 8 terrier like defending & some excellent raids forward
Coates - 7 supported the attack well & deserved his goal
Cusack - 8 dominated the midfield & prompted many of the 2nd half attacks
Brodie - 7 some neat work behind the front 2
Watkin - 8 took his goals brilliantly & held the ball up well
Sidibe - 9 they just couldn't contain him - looked dangerous everytime he got the ball. Would have scored a 10 if he'd got a goal!

subs
Williams - 8 took up where Sidibe left off!
Phillips - replaced Brodie - not on long but battled well

NB a word on the tactics of Addo/NIcholas - the more direct style of the 2nd half worked well to our advantage, and we refused to sit back on a 1-0 lead, preferring to press home our advantage with more goals. Good stuff.

This was a comprehensive & thoroughly deserved victory achieved in the most desperate of circumstances. When we see performance like this it is difficult to understand why we are not in the top 3... but then we remember the reason - a malodorous pratt sipping cocktails on the gold coast! If he'd seen the game he'd have trouble justifying not paying the players! But if they can produce a performance like this then surely there is some glimmer of hope? Roll on Cheltenham.