1. Freestone
2. Jenkins
3. Howard
4. Cusack
5. Todd
6. O'Leary
7. Coates
8. Phillips
9. Sidibe
10. Watkin
11. Roberts

12. Mazzina
13. Romo
14. Williams
15. Jones
16. De-Vulgt

    ---

 Macclesfield

1. Martin
2. Hitchen
3. Adams
4. Ridler
5. Tinson
6. Byrne
7. McAvoy
8. Eyre
9. Keen
10. Lightbourne
11. Glover

    ---

12. Wilson
13. Tracey
14. Askey
15. Munroe
16. O'Neill

Macclesfield Town 1 - 3 Swansea City

Clive Gareth & David Hughes

What seems to have been a long close season, today finally arrived, but it just didn't seem like the first Saturday of the season. First days are normally "T" shirt weather, but the early sunshine turned to rain as we set out. The omens looked bad as the M6 was at a standstill so we cut across country arriving at the ground at 2.30 just before the FOSCFA coaches who must have been held up in the traffic. The ground now has a new stand running the length of the pitch, to the right as you look from the visitors end, small but with executive boxes at the rear. The crowd was 2,300 of which approx 300 were Jacks.

The Swans lined up with Rog, Jenkins, O'Leary, Todd and Howard the back four, with Coates Phillips Cusack & Roberts in midfield, and Watkin & Sidibe up front. The Swans played in the new all yellow away kit which took some time to get used to. After a bit of end to end stuff with no real chances we took the lead on 5mins.

Sidibe found himself on the bye line near the edge of the box but blocked from cutting infield, but with neat footwork turned inside the defender and put in an inch perfect chip pass to Phillips who slotted home. Much of the first half was played from area to area but we did have about 3 scares when Macclesfield crosses cut through the central defence but luckily nothing came from them.

On more than one occasion the central pair were drawn out of position but Cusack dropped to fill the gap. After a bit of pressure from the Swans including the ball hitting the bar with nobody following in we got our second, for the second time we hit the bar but it dropped into the path of Sidibe who doubled our lead shooting into an unguarded net.

We were now clearly on top but not in total control as Macclesfield were still probing for gaps. With us hoping to make half-time with a 2 goal lead, they were awarded a penalty for what must have been a push or shirt pull by Cusack, it was up the far end but it seemed as if it was only the ref who saw anything. After the penalty Cusack continued to argue and was booked.

If he did commit a foul then he must have a long look at himself as the player was heading away from goal and was no threat. Secondly as captain being booked for arguing is a total waste. The last goal the Swans conceded in their last season in the third was a penalty. scored by Lee Glover.

The scorer today Lee Glover. There was still time for more action before half-time when inside 30secs there were loud appeals from the away fans for a penalty when Sidibe was clearly fouled when attempting a cross and also pushing in the area.

The linesman bottled it and came under verbal barrage from the fans. Half time came with us happy to be in the lead but still angry bout the decision.

Macclesfield started the brighter in a half that saw many periods of drizzle, hich made the ball skip across the surface. After about 15mins Cusack went off with what looked like a head wound and was replaced by Romo.

Romo had been ready to come on for 2mins but the ball was in play, even when we had a chance to put it out, we continued with 10 men. For the mid period of the second half we lost our shape nd some of the neat passing of the first half was gone. We were now starting to defend deeper and deeper and without some desperate blocks and backs to the wall Macclesfield would have pulled level.

During this time Roberts was replached by DeVulght and Sidibe by Williams. Macclesfield were now in control and when a cross from their right cut across the Six yard box Lightbourne failed to make contact for what would have been a certain goal.

With us still talking of the luck a long ball upfield was met Coates beet one man and chased the ball towards goal, and a combination of defender & goalie brought him down inside the box. Watkin took the penalty sending the goalie the wrong way.

The pressure was now off and we played out the remaining minutes for the 3 points. The final whistle saw joy from players and fans alike. An away win and scoring 3 we must be dreaming.

It's one game but we can take some positives from the game. We have Smith & Bound to come back which without taking anything away from todays pairing should strengthen the defense.

Roberts today showed a bit of rustyness but when match fit can be a threat. Sidibe showed nice skills and was always looking for the ball, lets hope he can take the rough stuff which will surely come his way. Phillips played well as did Jenkins in his unfamiliar right back role. With the positives come negatives Coates did defend well but his attacking play and distribution has to improve. Watkin again seemed lacking in speed of thought, chances don't wait.

Overall an encouraging start to the season, but lets not get carried away, as we must play as a solid unit for 90mins.

WE ARE JOINT TOP OF THE LEAGUE

Soccernet.com

An impressive performance set Swansea off to a flying start in their Division Three campaign as they beat Macclesfield 3-1 at Moss Rose. In an explosive opening period, Stuart Roberts lit the blue touch paper for the Swans as he crossed for Gareth Phillips to head home.

Buoyed by that early strike, the visitors took control and doubled their advantage with 20 minutes gone when Roberts crossed again for Mamady Sidibe to score.

Macclesfield were given a lifeline 12 minutes before the break when Swansea skipper Nick Cusack was adjudged to have pushed Darren Tinson in the area.

Lee Glover made no mistake from the penalty spot to put the home side back in touch. After the break, the hosts came out more brightly and were unlucky not to find an equaliser when Chris Byrne hit the post and Glover saw his goalbound shot blocked on the line by a team-mate.