Match report

Swansea v Southend - Nigel Gigg

Perfect conditions, a packed Vetch Field, a mild evening, the pitch in great condition and a terrific atmosphere.

Swansea welcomed fourth placed Southend for a massive game. Swansea came into the game on the back of two excellent wins knowing victory tonight would take them to the top of the League. Southend had only 2 defeats in their last 11 games, but were six points behind Swansea prior to tonight’s game with Swans also having a game in hand.

Brad Maylett started his first game for 3 months in place of the injured Adrian Forbes and Roberto Martinez returned from injury to take a seat on the bench.

Southend included ex Cardiff centre half Spencer Prior and surprisingly left Freddy Eastwood on the bench. Eastwood had scored a hat trick on his debut for Southend against Swansea back in October.

Side- Gueret, Rickets, Monk, Iriekpen, Austin, Maylett, Britton, Gurney, Robinson, Connor, Trundle. Subs – Murphy, Tate, Anderson, Martinez, Pritchard.

The game started at a furious pace with Southend forcing a corner within 30 seconds and Swans responding with a terrific run and cross from Brad Maylett.

Southend had not come to play pretty football and their tactics involved getting the ball forward as quickly as possible to their two strikers Gray and Dudfield. Swans were trying their best to play football but Southend were defending well and in great numbers.

Trundle and Connor were both double marked and were finding it difficult to retain possession.

Swans were also looking comfortable in defence and Gray and Dudfield were well marshalled.
It was fully 25 minutes before Swansea mustered anything resembling a strike on goal when Leon Britton hit a shot from 20 yards that was well wide. Andy Robinson tried to slide the wayward shot goal-ward but failed to get the vital touch.

A minute or so later and after winning an excellent challenge, Andy Gurney found Leon Britton who in turn found Brad Maylett. His low cross found Lee Trundle who tried to toe poke the ball under the advancing Darryl Flahavan in the Southend goal. Thankfully for the keeper the ball lodged under his portly frame.
Swans were finally beginning to get on top and panic was beginning to set in in the heart of Southend’s defence.

With 40 minutes gone, an excellent turn and shot from Lee Trundle seemed to be heading for the corner of the net before Flahavan’s outstretched hand managed to turn the ball wide of the goal.

With half time approaching Swansea looked to have an excellent penalty appeal turned aside when Lee Trundle seemed to be pulled back inside the box. The ball was partially cleared to Leon Britton who struck an excellent low shot that was well saved by Flahavan.

For the umpteenth time this season we went in 0-0, but on the evidence of the last 20 minutes of the first half, most would have been confident of better to come in the second half.

Swans started the second half brightly and after 50 minutes, Paul Connor, despite being 3 to 4 yards offside should have put Swans one up, but his shot was straight at the body of Flahavan. The ball broke loose and after a melee fell to Sam Ricketts who inexplicably shot well wide from just 12 yards.

Two minutes later Paul Connor out jumped Adam Barratt to meet a Lee Trundle cross and his looped header came back off the bar.

Swans pressure was being to tell and on 55 minutes after Leon Britton was bought down, a quickly taken freekick from Andy Robinson found Lee Trundle just 12 yards out. He didn’t need a second chance as he fired a left foot shot into the corner of the goal.

Southend responded immediately and Garry Monk and Laurie Dudfield went into a challenge in the box which left Dudfield on the ground. With most Swans fans holding their breath the referee Mr Warren blew his whistle to give Swansea the free kick and surprisingly booked Dudfield presumably for diving.

Swans good fortune was wasted on 59 minutes when Sam Ricketts and Izzy Iriekpen both left the responsibility to challenge Wayne Gray to the other. Gray skipped through before firing a low shot past Willy Gueret into the corner of the net. Gueret had seemed to pick up an injury in the first half and didn’t get down to quick enough to make a save.

Swans responded immediately to Southend’s equaliser and Lee Trundle went desperately close with a delicate chip after good work from Connor. However, it turned out to be our last real effort on goal as we huffed and puffed our way through the final 30 minutes.

Leon Britton was an inspiration going forward and Andy Robinson tried hard on the left. Brad Maylett had visibly tired and was totally ineffective by the end and it was hard to understand why he was not substituted. The one substitution we made was Roberto Martinez replacing Andy Gurney on 70 minutes after Gurney had received attention to a leg injury.

Spencer Prior, who was probably the overall man of the match was substituted for Southend in the final minute and after being booed by 9,800 Swans fans for walking off at a crawl he infuriated those in the Centre Stand by doing the ‘Ayatollah’.

Swans did have one final chance in injury time when a Lee Trundle cross seemed to be falling to Brad Maylett but Leon Britton stretched to head the ball but only succeeded in deflecting the ball away from Maylett.

Southend players seemed delighted with their point but they remain 6 points adrift of Swansea having played a game more.

Ratings
Gueret – 6 – Possibly should have been substituted after picking up an injury.
Ricketts 5- Far from impressive tonight in front of John Toshack.
Monk 7 – Pick of defence. Assured display.
Iriekpen 6 – Far more mistakes than we’re used to seeing from Izzy.
Austin 7 – Did plenty of good work going forward.
Maylett – 5 – Ok first half, but passenger for much of the second half.
Britton 9 – Head and shoulders above anyone tonight.
Gurney 7 – Good solid game.
Robinson 6 – Defended well on the left but took the wrong option too often going forward.
Connor 6 – Marked out for most of the game.
Trundle 7 – As with Connor, but did get away from his markers several times in the second half. Also, once more showed his killer instinct in the box.
Martinez – 6 – Didn’t manage to put his stamp on proceedings.