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Swansea City 1 Doncaster 1
Match Report from Nigel Gigg, Pictures by Gary Martin
Swansea v Doncaster
Despite back to back wins the lack of a new striker was something of a disappointment prior to tonight's game. Why oh why the club let all the hype out to the South Wales Evening Post, and build people's hopes only to let them down again and again. Connor and Conlon join a long list of players who were supposedly close to signing.
Still Doncaster arrived at a vibrant Vetch Field and included the ever-impressive JJ Melligan and ex-Cardiff beanpole, and another supposedly former Swans target, Leo Fortune-West.
Swansea started with Kristian O'Leary at right back replacing Stuart Jones.
Side:
Murphy
O'Leary - Tate - Iriekpen - Howard
Roberts - Britton - Martinez - Robinson - Coates
Nugent
Subs: Freestone - Jones (S) - Maylett - Corbisiero - Thomas
The game started at a furious pace, it was obvious Doncaster hadn't come to grind out a draw. They appeared very well organised and attacked at every opportunity.
Swans, for their part, looked to attack at every opportunity but Nugent, again playing the lone striker's role, was left isolated too often.
On fifteen minutes, Swans almost took the lead when Martinez found Stuart Roberts with a quick ball, his first time inch perfect cross, had three Swansea players bearing down on it and was turned wide by a Doncaster defender under huge pressure.
Two minutes later and Doncaster almost took the lead. A free kick from the right was not picked out by our centre halves and Chris Brown's flicked header hit the underside of the bar before bouncing to safety.
The game's first booking came on twenty-two minutes when Brown caught Izzy Iriekpen after the ball had long gone.
The game was an excellent advert for Division Three with some wonderful attacking football. Doncaster invariably had three up-front and probably were shading things territorially and keeping possession well.
They almost scored on thirty-minutes when Brown forced a full length save from Murphy. Within a minute however a wonderful through-ball by Kris O'Leary was brilliantly flicked on by Kevin Nugent and found Stuart Roberts, coming in from the right, slid a first time shot below oncoming Warrington in goal. He celebrated in front of his followers on the North Bank.
Half-time and Swansea probably lucky to be 1-0 up but rewarded for their hard work.
Swansea almost doubled their lead early in the second half when a Jonathan Coates cross saw Stuart Roberts launch himself at the ball which just eluded him.
On fifty-five minutes nearly a goal made in heaven. Stuart Roberts was released by Leon Britton on the right, took the ball past his marker, and slid the ball across the six-yard line with his left foot; the keeper was fortunate to stop the ball with his feet.
Unfortunately the Swans gave up the lead just a minute later when a mix-up in defence gifted Brown the equaliser.
Swansea almost got the lead back immediately when Stuart Roberts, through one-on-one and with Kevin Nugent racing into the box, chose to shoot and his effort was deflected for a corner.
On sixty-three minutes, Leon Britton committed an outrageous two footed tackle that was missed by the referee, with the Doncaster player flat out and play continuing Leon soon became the target of an equally outrageous challenge which sparked a mass brawl involving virtually every outfield player, apart from Stuart Roberts. The result was five bookings, four for Doncaster and Izzy for the Swans.
James Thomas replaced Kevin Nugent and Brad Maylett replaced Andy Robinson who had had a quiet game.
James Thomas had a chance with a ball hooked forward and having ghosted past his defender failed to connect when only eight yards from goal with a ball coming over his shoulder.
Further chances fell to Stuart Roberts and Brad Maylett and our goal lived something of a charmed life as Michael McIndoe starting to cause major problems down the left flank.
An absolutely enthralling game which could quite easily have finished 5-5. Both sides played with passion and enthusiasm, and the game was a credit for Division Three. Swans fans applauded the team off the field, and many stayed to applaud Doncaster off as well. Dave Penney can be proud of his players who seem destined for Division Two. One black point was the refereeing, for eight players to be booked in a game of this quality is a travesty.
Murphy - 8 - Excellent distribution although may share some of the blame for the goal.
O'Leary - 8 - Super game at right back, Mr. Dependable of late.
Tate - 9 - Another commanding performance.
Iriekpen - 8 - Excellent again, but must learn not to get involved in other peoples' battles.
Howard - 7 - Doncaster threw everything at Howard in the first half, with which he coped well.
Roberts - 8 - Was everything Maylett hasn't been for the past six months.
Britton - 7 - Non-existent in the first half but had an excellent second half.
Martinez - 7 - Tidy in defence and attack, much more like the Roberto of late.
Robinson - 6 - Average game by his high standards.
Coates - 6 - Decent game, but prone to take the wrong option too often.
Nugent - 7 - Given an almost impossible task as a lone striker against a quality defence, but battled and gave 100%.
Subs:
Thomas - 6 - One great opportunity but never looked like winning the game for us.
Maylett - 6 - Livelier than of late, and got into some good positions, but delivery was poor.
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