| Evening
Post
James Thomas declared himself ready for the new Third Division
campaign with a 16-minute hat-trick to sink Llanelli last night. The
former Blackburn frontman's quickfire triple and an injury-time effort
from trialist Andy Robinson rounded off a largely positive pre-season
for Brian Flynn's new-look squad - and especially for the sole survivor
of Nick Cusack's rebuilding work this time last year.
Thomas has bagged seven goals in four matches over the last eight days,
indicating that he will begin the new season as he finished the last -
on the scoresheet.
After an agonising drought from early winter through to the spring, the
24-year-old rediscovered the finishing touch in the nick of time to save
Swansea from the Conference with a rather more memorable hat-trick
against Hull City on the final day of last term.
And Wales's most capped Under-21 international must now be hoping he has
done enough to win what looks like a two-horse race with Kevin Nugent to
start alongside summer signing Lee Trundle in the Division Three
curtain-raiser against Bury this weekend.
Flynn is not one to reveal his teams before the last possible moment,
and may yet opt for the superior aerial threat of Nugent on Saturday.
But he said: "It's nice for James to be hitting the back of the net,
albeit in pre-season friendlies.
"He has carried on where he left off against Hull and he is in the
groove, which is good news for us.
"It was difficult for him last season because he was the only one
scoring goals when we first arrived.
"There was no one else to score them and that eventually wore him down.
"What's good now is that we have got Trundle and Nugent who can take
some of the burden off him. There is less pressure on James which can
only be a good thing.''
Thomas's opener last night was partly down to new stablemate Trundle,
whose presence in the penalty area forced Llanelli centre-back Gary
Davies into handling the ball.
Having converted from the spot in style, the Morriston-product again had
his new pal from Merseyside to thank for his second seven minutes later.
Trundle, once again parading his skills, fooled his marker on the left
before lofting a pinpoint cross for Thomas to head home at the backpost.
After colliding with Reds keeper Huw Liddell as he landed, last season's
15-goal top-scorer had to leave the field temporarily because of a sore
back.
But he was soon back into the action and volleyed home his third from
close range after good work from Trundle, again, and Jonathan Coates.
Llanelli, relegated to the Welsh League last season, had been on the
backfoot almost from the start, and might have been behind earlier but
for smart saves to deny Leon Britton and Karl Connolly.
The referee saved them once too, disallowing Roberto Martinez's curling
free-kick because the whistle had not been blown.
Thomas could have had a fourth but for the base of the post, before
turning provider for Robinson in the closing seconds.
There was little to worry Swansea at the other end of the field,
allowing Flynn to devote most of his attention to his forwards.
He may have to spend a bit more time pondering them this week, for which
two of three to pick against Bury will be no easy decision. |
