Match report

Match Report Nigel Gigg - Pictures Dai Smith

A sunny Autumn day as Swansea made the short trip to Chester. Another ground at the far end of an Industrial Estate for the clash of two of the form teams of the Coca-Cola League Two.

Swansea go into the game with five wins from six games, and a superb LDV Vans Trophy victory in midweek behind them. Chester, for their part, are unbeaten in five since the appointment of Ian Rush as Manager, and had a tremendous win in the LDV Vans Trophy at Sheffield Wednesday midweek.

Andy Gurney was not in the squad, presumably having failed to recover from his back problem, meaning a chance for Alan Tate to impress. Paul Connor recovered from his dead leg, and Lee Trundle from his calf strain to resume their partnership up front.

On seventeen minutes after a mix-up in the centre of defence, which had tried unsuccessfully to play the offside trap, the defence presented Kevin Rapley with an easy opportunity. He didn't strike the ball too cleanly, but with the ball heading towards the net, Ben Davies ran in and tapped the ball over the line. The Swansea back four and Willy Gueret all looked at one another in disbelief as we had conceded our first goal from open play in 7 matches. Within a minute Chester had the ball in the net again, but thankfully the linesman's flag saved us.

Swans still couldn't get into the game and on twenty-five minutes, Andy Robinson committed a dreadful two footed challenge that sparked a mini brawl. Robinson was lucky to only be shown the yellow card. Mr Gallagher chose to ignore the Chester players who retaliated with one or two risking life and limb in grabbing Andy Robinson by the throat.

Ex-Merthyr striker, and former Swans target, Cortez Belle was causing us all kinds of problems with his pace, strength, and in particular his long throw-in's. This was highlighted on thirty-five minutes when another Belle long throw-in caused confusion in the defence, and Rapley's volley drifted just wide with Willy beaten.
On thirty-seven minutes we had our first serious attack with a blocked shot from Trundle followed by a Forbes cross being deflected for a corner.
Just before half-time and we had our first serious shot at goal. An Adrian Forbes run and left foot shot going wide of the post.
So a very poor first half with Swans having no answer to Chester's physical and direct approach. We were unable to hold onto the ball, and Andy Robinson and Adrian Forbes were unable to provide the ammunition for Paul Connor and Lee Trundle.

For the start of the second half, Brad Maylett replaced Adrian Forbes.
Swansea looked far more up for things immediately into the second half, and almost grabbed the equaliser within a minute from a Paul Connor shot following a cross from Sam Ricketts.

On fifty-five minutes Maylett received a cross-field pass from Andy Robinson, he ran at the by-line and crossed the ball, which struck his marker on the arm. Mr Gallagher had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Lee Trundle sent the goalkeeper the wrong way with an excellent cleanly struck penalty.

On sixty minutes Garry Monk was flattered in defence and looked in a bad way before being stretchered off. Kristian O'Leary dropped back to centre-half, Andy Robinson moved to the centre of midfield, with Leon coming off the bench to take up the left-midfield position.
The Swans were still not firing on all cylinders, but the improvement shown was enough to put Chester on the back foot. On seventy-five minutes, Trundle's first bit of magic with a turn and a shot just over the bar.

Just when it looked as if Swansea totally had the upper-hand Chester broke clear, Kris O'Leary missed his challenge and Michael Branch was through on goal, but thankfully rolled his shot past the far post.

The final few minutes Swansea continued to have the better of things, and looked the more likely to score, but the winning goal never came.
So the proverbial game of two halves Swans had no answer to Chester's physical approach in the first half, but totally dominated the second.

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