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Bristol Rovers 2-1 Swansea
Report by Nigel Gigg, Photos supplied by Andrew Thomas
After a run of four defeats, three under Kenny Jackett, Swans made the short journey across the Severn Bridge to the Memorial Ground to play Bristol Rovers.
 This time last year every Saturday was greeted with a sense of fear and trepidation, now thanks to some decent early season form, which saw us top the League we lie mid-table. Still, a huge disappointment with the quality of individual players at the club. Our players had little to play for today other than pride and of course the odd contract.
Kenny Jackett, apparently, has not had the greatest of responses from his players to date, but everyone of the travelling fans was hoping for a further step forward after an improved showing last Saturday. Our opponents, Bristol Rovers, lay 17th before today's game and would want the comfort of two or three more points to ensure their continued League status.
Bristol Rovers were captained by former Swan Christian Edwards, who supposedly was a signing target for us early in the year.They also included former Sheffield Wednesday U.S international Graham Hyde.
Several Swans players returned from injury including Izzy Iriekpen, Alan Tate, Leon Britton and Kevin Nugent. Hell alive, by June Karl Connolly and Leon Hylton may be back!
Freestone
O'Leary - Rees - Tate - Fieldwick
Maylett - Britton - Martinez - Robinson
Trundle - Connor
Subs: Murphy - Iriekpen - Coates - Roberts - Nugent
After a very quiet opening, Swans took a surprise lead on seven minutes. Trundle played a short pass through a static Bristol Rovers defence, which Paul Connor read perfectly. He ran through leaving his marker flat-footed. Facing keeper Kevin Miller on a one-to-one, he hit a lovely right foot shot past the right hand of the keeper and into the corner of the net.
In defence we were having a few awkward moments with Fieldwick being given a torrid time on the left and Matthew Rees having a real battle with Bo Henriksen.
On thirty minutes, Bristol Rovers got the equaliser. Andy Robinson needlessly played around with the ball in front of the back four, and lost possession to Henriksen, his cross was met by Graham Hyde whose right foot shot beat Roger despite him getting a hand to the ball.
On thirty-six minutes Rovers almost took the lead as a hole opened up again on the left of defence, and Henriksen's cross shot was turned goalward only for Roger to pull off an excellent save.
On the stroke of half time Trundle again fed Connor but from a narrow angle, and with the ball on his left foot he shot well wide, almost decapitating Becky and Sophie in the process.
Honours even at half-time, Bristol Rovers had done their homework and attacked young Fieldwick at every opportunity and unfortunately he was found wanting far too often. Maylett once again flattered to deceive on the right not offering the outlet he should, but Connor was a livewire causing them problems. In midfield Britton and Martinez just about got the better of things.
For the second half Izzy replaced Fieldwick. No real surprise as for a few minutes at the end of the first half Kenny Jackett was in conversation with Izzy pointing to the left back spot.
On fifty-five minutes, after dominating the first ten minutes of the half, Swans almost went behind when a dipping volley from Aaron Lescott bounced just in front of Roger, but Rog managed to claw it behind for a corner.
On seventy-five minutes, Kevin Nugent replaced Lee Trundle who never really caused Rovers any problems with most of his tricks failing to come off today. He looked disappointed to come off but did nothing to warrant staying on. He may feel aggrieved that Maylett was not withdrawn and I have to say that would have been my choice.
Kevin Nugent almost scored with a couple of minutes of coming on when he headed a Robinson cross just wide.
On eighty minutes Maylett lost the ball for the umpteenth time giving away a throw in. Rovers took it quickly and substitute Agogo ran past Rees, Tate and finally Iriekpen before slotting the ball past Roger. It was a quality goal, but Matthew Rees in particular should have got a better challenge in.
On eighty-seven minutes, Agogo hit the post with a left foot volley as Swans left gaps at the back in search of the equaliser. Roger then made a finger tip save to deny Rovers a third goal.
Swans never looked like getting the equalising goal, and I am sure if they had, the referee would have disallowed it. He seemed to give every 50-50 decision to Rovers, and by the end was ignoring every physicial challenge whether legal or illegal on a Swansea player. He was ably supported in his imcompetence by his short sighted assistant in front of the Swans fans.
So another defeat a decent performance, but nothing to show for it.
Roger - 8 - Saved our bacon more than once.
O'Leary - 6 - Not the long-term solution at right-back.
Rees - 6 - Tried hard but his inexperience led to the second Rovers goal.
Tate - 7 - Marshalled the defence, and easily the best defender on the day.
Fieldwick - 3 - Just not ready for the Football League, Brentford can see he is not ready and Bristol Rovers could also see he wasn't ready and tormented him for forty-five minutes.
Maylett - 4 - After some improvement in recent games it was back to the bad old Maylett.
Britton - 6 - Some nice touches and ran everywhere for ninety minutes.
Martinez - 7 - The pick of the midfield on either side for seventy minutes.
Robinson - 5 - Cost us the first goal, guilty of trying to do too much himself, again!
Connor - 7 - Took his goal well and our only real attacking threat today.
Trundle - 5 - Still some way off the player he was some three months ago.
Subs:
Iriekpen - 6 - Not a left-back but thrown in the deep end to rescue the sinking Fieldwick.
Nugent - 6 - Almost grabbed a glory goal with a header, but starved of any decent supply after that.
Roberts - Not on long enough.
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