Match report

Report by Nigel Gigg - Match photos supplied by Gary Martin

Swansea 1-0 Rushden


After a terrific result at Wycombe last week Swansea welcomed Rushden to the Vetch this afternoon.

Paul Connor and Izzy Iriekpen failed to recover from their injuries. Kevin Nugent replaced Connor in attack to join Lee Trundle who, thankfully, was given the all clear on his troublesome knee in the week.

The defence remained the same as last week, and Andy Robinson dropped back to midfield with Leon Britton unlucky to drop down to the bench.

On seventeen minutes Trundle and Nugent exchanged passes creating an opening for Nugent, but he blasted over from twelve yards.

The tempo of the game had gone down several gears from the bright opening, no doubt not helped by a surprising lack of atmosphere being generated from the North Bank and the total lack of away support which numbered around thirty-five.

On twenty minutes Lee Trundle seemed through on goal, only to be bought back by the linesman's, sorry assistant referee's, late flag, which was to become a feature of the afternoon.

The games first booking came on twenty-seven minutes when Craig Dove took down Sam Ricketts, who was looking to attack down the left.

On thirty-seven minutes Swansea got the goal they probably just about deserved. Trundle, Martinez and Nugent exchanged passes and freed Adrian Forbes, who overhit his first touch and lost the ball, but immediately won it back in the tackle, and left his defender behind. His first time cross to the near post was well met by Nugent whose diving header found the net.

On forty-two minutes Nugent had the chance to put Swans 2-0 up. A poor defensive clearance by Turley was headed forward by Gurney from the half-way line, and managed to beat Rushden's infuriating offside trap. Nugent raced onto the ball, shrugged off the last defender, but struck his shot straight at goalkeeper Billy Turley.

1-0 up at half-time was more than satisfactory. It had been hard work against a workmanlike Rushden side, who were more intent on operating the offside trap than attacking. The few attacks they had mounted were dealt with well by a solid looking defence.

Rushden would however be a different outfit in the second half, and would no doubt look to send more players forward.

On fifty-five minutes after a period of sustained Swansea pressure, Martinez hit a terrific volley, which was brilliantly turned around for a corner by Turley.

Rushden were indeed pushing forward more but this was leaving gaps at the back allowing Trundle to weave his magic.

On sixty minutes a quick breakout of defence, and a one-two between Trundle and Nugent freed Trundle. He bore down on goal from wide on the left and his shot was well saved by Turley, and from the resultant corner Andy Gurney hit a superb shot, which was again brilliantly saved by Turley who was now standing between Swansea and a rout.

After this, Swansea began to sit deeper and deeper allowing Rushden to attack. Rushden were having a purple patch, and on seventy minutes looked to have a great opportunity. After about four consecutive corners, the ball was headed over by Alex Hay it looked odds on he would score.

Swansea replaced Adrian Forbes with Leon Britton, who within a minute slipped a lovely ball through the Rushden defence for Robinson to run onto. His shot was blocked by a last ditch challenge.

On seventy-three minutes Rushden almost equalised with a goal-bound header deflected for a corner.

On eighty minutes the Swans broke out of defence again, and Lee Trundle received the ball wide left, his marker backed off until Trundle struck a curling right footed shot that went just over the bar.

Brad Maylett replaced Andy Robinson for the last five minutes, Leon went to left midfield.

As the game went into injury time, Gueret needlessly gave away a corner. Turley, the Rushden goalkeeper, came up for it but the Swans cleared the ball to Trundle on the half way line, he slipped his man and floated a shot from the half way line which agonisingly went over the bar. The option of a pass to Martinez, who would have seemed to have a clear run on goal, probably never entered his head.

Swansea successfully saw out the last couple of minutes, and picked up their third straight home win, and fifth win in six games. They now lie third in the division.

Another workmanlike performance against difficult opponents. We weren't helped either by an over-fussy referee and two poor linesmen.


Gueret - 7 - Not a vintage display, but kept yet another clean sheet.

Gurney - 7 - Got the wrong side of his man once or twice in the second half, but otherwise excellent.
Monk - 8 - Pick of an excellent defence.
Austin - 7 - Good in the air and on the ground, another solid display.
Ricketts - 7 - Another good performance.

Forbes - 6 - Created the goal and did sterling work again in defence, but still lacks confidence to take on his man.
O'Leary - 7 - Quieter game than of late, but again not much got past him in midfield.
Martinez - 9 - Superb performance from start to finish.
Robinson - 5 - Looked out of sorts.

Nugent - 7 - Gave his usual 100% and took his goal well.
Trundle - 7 - Caused Rushden problems all afternoon, but not able to grab the goal he deserved.

Subs:
Britton - 7 - Helped relieve the pressure late on, and held the ball well.
Maylett - Not on long enough.

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