Match report

A CLANGER by stand-in keeper Brian Murphy cost the Swans in the Bradford City Centenary tournament.

With Roger Freestone injured, recent signing Murphy fumbled to gift the Dons a second just after half-time.

Sloppy defending allowed striker Darren Mackie to score on 26 minutes.

Swans midfielder Karl Connolly forced a save from Davie Preece with a 25-yard free kick, but Murphy dropped Stephen Payne's cross and Paul Sheerin volleyed in from close range.

There were a couple of clangers from the Republic of Ireland Under-20 international, most memorably when he fumbled a straightforward cross that allowed Aberdeen to go 2-0 up in Saturday's match.

Against a formidable Scottish Premier League outfit - tournament winners after overcoming Bradford City 5-4 on penalties in the final - the Swans enjoyed plenty of possession but created few chances of note.

Leon Britton barely had a sniff of the ball, Lee Trundle was unable to turn some moments of wonderful skill into shots on target... even Martinez was subdued by his standards.

Demonstrating the kind of killer instinct Premier League teams possess, Aberdeen took the lead on 25 minutes with their first shot, striker Darren Mackie lifting the ball over Murphy.

But, needless to say, the Dons were a far stronger outfit than anything Flynn's men will encounter in Division Three next season.

As a spectacle, this tournament was nothing to get excited about - at times there was probably more noise at the local library than inside Valley Parade - but that was of little concern to Flynn.

"As far as I'm concerned, it was a great exercise for us I'm glad we took part," said Flynn, who also praised two excellent performances from winger Kieron Durkan, the Swans' best crosser of the ball.

"We didn't get off to a perfect start against Aberdeen - you can't expect to be perfect in your first proper pre-season match - but the victory against Coleraine is a nice lift.

"And though I now have a good idea of what my first-choice XI will be for the new season, although that doesn't mean I won't be influenced by others."

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