The torrential rain on the way to the match looked ominous but although the game started in rain it gradually eased away during the first half leaving the pitch slippery and with a few puddles.

As predicted, Cusack left out many first-choicers to give some of the other new faces and young players a run out. Marsh in goal, a back 3 of Theobald, O'Leary and Sharpe, Phillips and Howard as wingbacks and Cusack and Jackson in midfield. Up front Moss played the target role alongside Keaveny with Watkin just behind them.

Swans started brightly winning a corner within 2 minutes and Watkin first trying to charge down a goal-line clearance from their keeper and moments later going round him but to no avail. Swans looking the more settled for the first 15 minutes before the game got a bit scrappy.

Keaveny was chasing everything and looked hungry but his first touch often let him down. Theobald looked very composed at the back and didn't waste his passes but kept them simple.

Neither team had any clear cut chances but on 19 minutes Keaveny robbed a defender and fed Watkin on the left who picked out Moss at the far post. His first touch wasn't the best but he still had room to squeeze the ball home from a tight angle. This should have steadied the Swans and we hoped for more goals but seconds later Keaveny missed an almost open goal when he managed to shoot about 10 yards wide from about 10 yards out with only the keeper to beat. However, the goal only spurred Hednesford on and a good cross from their right was just too high(!) for Kevin Francis. Their equaliser followed on 24 minutes and came from a very good passing move started and finished by their busy No 10, Mark Jones who hit an unstoppable volley over Marsh from about 20 yards out. Minutes later, a good run by their No 7 came to nothing as Cusack tried to remove the guy's shirt.

The rest of the half was uneventful although there was a good interchange between Moss and Keaveny which looked promising (but wasn't) and a good tackle by Sharpe who was seemed to be reading the game well.

The Pitmen started the 2nd half brightly but 8 minutes in Marsh rushed to dive at the feet of an onrusing forward and stayed down for a long time receiving treatment before slowly getting to his feet and being replaced by the very solidly built youth keeper, Simon Cole. Hope it's not serious.

After and hour, Kris O'Leary was replaced by Jamie Rowbury and although he looked confident and capable for a youngster, the defence didn't seem as well organised.

Most of the play was in the Hednesford half but wasn't creative or productive. Then Cole dived low to his right to save a free kick from just outside the box and the ball was scrambled for the first of three Hednesford corners as they started to apply some pressure. After 75 minutes, Moss got a knock and was replaced by De-Vulgt which left the Swans with 2 right wingbacks and no target man. Phillips switched to the left but seemed to occupy the same territory as Howard although they started to link well together.

For the last 10 minutes, the Swans started to pick up loose balls as their superior fitness began to tell and they looked the better side again although both Sharpe and Theobald had to make important tackles to keep Hednesford out. Twice Cole landed heavily especially after a diving two fisted punch and he looked hurt but soldiered on as the game petered out.

So what of the new players?

Theobald looks like a good pro - composed and a good reader, should be a useful addition.
Keaveny is sharp and looks hungry and will chase anything but was less effective when Moss went off. Could be a good sub when playing against tiring defenders.
Marsh had little to do. Moss has potential but needs to find the right partner and establish a working relationship but I can't believe he's better than Thomas or Wood on this showing.
Jackson - some good touches but didn't catch the eye often, maybe a bit lightweight like Romo?
Of the more established players, Sharp played well and the defence was definitely better with O'Leary in it. Cusack puzzled me at times. He wants his team to play on the deck but was often guilty of playing route 1.
At no point was it difficult to tell who was the professional team but Swans never really dominated the game and created very few clear cut chances. Having said that, this was nowhere near a full strength side but it should really have done better even though the conditions did not help.

Not one to get you jumping out of your seat.

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