Match report

Many player ratings and comments now on line

Swansea City 4 Bury 2

So let’s start again, 9th August 2003. A scorching hot day, new players on display, at home to a team tipped as one of the favourites for promotion. Sounds familiar, deja vue?

Well this time we can guarantee the outcome this season will not be the same as the last one. One question asked over the last 3 months has already been answered. Could the club hang on to the returning fans?

A crowd today of 8826 including 150 Bury fans in the Jewson, question answered. The City of Swansea has woken up, we have a football club.

The line up due to injuries etc

The now accustomed pre-match huddle was met with a crescendo of noise from the fans. The scene was well and truly set.

It was a frantic opening, considering the heat, with both teams not prepared to give each other any space or time. The first chance fell to Bury as the Swans retreated, but a miss kick by Preece saw the danger cleared. It didn’t take long for the ground to erupt. A deep cross from the left was met by the unmarked Maylett on the volley from the corner of the six yard box, sending the ball back across goal into the corner of the net.

What a start to the season, a good way to settle the early nerves. Not really, as from the restart Bury could have drawn level when a sharp shot from the edge of the area only just cleared the far post. A lucky let off, as the defence, who were taking time to gel, backed off the attacking forwards. Bury were coming more and more into the game and it was no surprise that they equalised, the problem was it was a gift. A deep cross from the left should have been taken easily by Murphy, but he misjudged it and could only flap at the ball as Preece headed in.

After 2 more half chances to Bury the Swans took a grip of the game and could well have scored another 2, if only the right options were taken. Maylett having a good half cut inside and went for glory, instead of passing inside, and the shot was easily saved. In a similar situation Trundle cut inside his man and with Thomas free to his left decided to go for goal and the chance was gone. With half time approaching Trundle used his close skills making an opening but spooned his shot onto the roof of the West terrace.

Considering the heat, it had been a good half, but it was a half of what might have been. Half time chat of what would we change. Howard on for Hylton, as he was being caught out of position by being to adventurous, and Coates on for Connolly, who was struggling with the pace of the game. The third change should we bring on Rog for Murphy to add presence in the area. Or would it shatter Murph’s confidence. Luckily not our call as Flynn decided to leave well alone.

From the re-start the Swans carried on where they left off and pressurised Bury. The only problem was that chances came to the right foot when we now have a higher percentage of left footers. As the game entered the last 10mins were we to be paid for those missed chances. No, luck was on our side, as a shot from mid goal outside the area by Maylett took a deflection and with the keeper diving to his right, the ball went left into the corner of the net. From nerves to confidence in a few seconds. Surely we would see out the remaining minutes. Bury made changes to chase the game but it was the Swans who scored again. A Martinez corner saw a bit of head tennis with Trundle getting the last touch on the line. We were now totally relaxed as the 3 points were ours. It’s never that simple as the defence went to sleep allowing Bury to pull one back. Another give away goal. With visions of it ending 3-3 Britton went on one of his mazy runs ending with a powerful shot that was blocked by the keeper, Britton headed the rebound across goal but far of the post, Trundle collected and laid a simple ball back across goal for Maylett to get his hat-trick. 4-2 and we were now safe as we played out the couple of minutes.

In the blistering heat the players never stopped, full marks for their efforts. Water brakes being seen for the first time at the Vetch.

A few observations.

We still think it was a mistake to play Murphy ahead of Rog, we needed more experience at the back. Although Murphy did pull off one excellent save late in the second half as a cross zipped across the area.

O’Leary was the lynchpin in defence.

It took time for Johnrose to settle in his new role, and was caught drifting to the edge of the box ( a midfielders role)

Jones is one for the future but did look shaky at times due to the inexperienced defence.

Hylton tends to give attackers too much space. He gives more going forward but Howard may have been the better option today.

Connolly was missing for most of the first half but did play his part later, although is far from match fit.

Finally Trundle, exciting and exasperating. He can turn on the magic with the ball at his feet, but can also drift out of the game.

None of the comments are meant to be criticisms but just to highlight that it was not all positive today. The sapping heat would have played its part, but it is evident that the defence needs strengthening. It was a great start and a great result, the team showed character against a useful team.

One final comment on something that many may have missed.

After the players had left the field, two fans took a ball and went for a kick about on the pitch. Whilst this would not have been included in a referees report it still shows that the pitch is not classed as a no-go area by some. They were removed by stewards, but it is something that shows that the fine and the further outstanding £5,000 is not hitting home to some. It was in no way a pitch invasion, but just harmless fun but the pitch must be out of bounds.

Swansea City 4 Bury 2

That looked to be it as the sides laboured under the burning sun, but the encounter exploded in the closing 10 minutes.

Debutant Lee Trundle extended Swansea's lead, substitute Lee Connell replied for the visitors, before Maylett sealed the game with a late strike.

Swansea:

Murphy, Jones, O'Leary, Johnrose, Hylton, Martinez, Britton, Maylett, Connolly, Thomas, Trundle. Subs: Freestone, Howard, Nugent, Coates, Durkan.

Bury:

Garner, Unsworth, Swailes, Strong, Woodthorpe, Duxbury, Clegg, Singh, Nugent, Porter, Preece. Subs: Connell, Berrass, Kennedy, Whaley, Seddon.

Referee:

Trevor Kettle (Berkshire)