Match report

Wycombe 0-1 Swansea: FT Report

Report from Nigel Gigg, Pictures from Dai Smith

After a great second half performance last week against a poor Kidderminster, today would be a real test against table topping Wycombe, who featured former Swans loan player Nathan Tyson who is currently the Division top scorer.

Swans were forced to make a couple of changes with Izzy Iriekpen failing to recover from his thigh strain and Lee Trundle still troubled by his knee problem.

Garry Monk returned from suspension to replace Izzy, and Leon Britton returned to the starting line up.

Swansea started with Andy Robinson playing just behind lone striker Paul Connor, and Leon starting on the left of midfield.

Wycombe had the better of the early exchanges and attacked in numbers. However, the Swans coped well with everything that came at them with Kevin Austin, Garry Monk and Sam Ricketts all looking commanding.

On eight minutes the Swans had their first shot at goal from Kristian O'Leary which sailed over the bar and the heads of all the Swansea fans behind the goal.

Two minutes later Kristian O'Leary rose well at a corner, and headed powerfully towards the bottom corner. Frank Talia in the Wycombe goal dived full-length to turn the ball behind for another corner.

Swansea were having a great spell, and it was no surprise on twelve minutes when Swans took the lead. A free kick fully thirty-five yards out was taken by Andy Gurney. Wycombe had no defensive wall, and Gurney's powerful shot looked to be well covered by Talia. However, the ball bounced just in from of him, and spilled out of his grasp. Both Paul Connor and Andy Robinson reacted quickly, and both descended on the ball which was touched home, each player going in opposite directions claiming the goal. Both Robinson and Connor celebrated the goal with most Swansea players running toward Robinson. The PA System also credited him with the goal.

Swans continued to have the better of things with Adrian Forbes and Andy Robinson in particular causing them problems and in defence, only a few weak punches from Willy Gueret caused any flutters.

In midfield, both O'Leary and Roberto Martinez put in some ferocious challenges as Swansea refused Wycombe the luxury of holding onto the ball.

For the next fifteen minutes or so Swansea sat back, and let Wycombe come at them. Our main problem was our inability to retain possession and all too often Wycombe attacks would break down and we would return possession to them.

Having failed to get forward at all, on forty minutes Andy Gurney burst down the right and his cross/shot just missed the far post, and the advancing Paul Connor.

Half-time arrived, with Wycombe having had the bulk of possession, but Willy Gueret having only a couple of punches and one free-kick straight at him to deal with. The defence in front of him, including all four midfielders, had worked tirelessly providing two banks of four.

Going forward we were unable to retain possession very well with Robinson and Connor lacking understanding, and all too often flick-ons between the two falling straight to Wycombe defenders.

Swansea began the second half pushing forward. Andy Robinson had a shot from the edge of the box deflected for a corner. Then Connor had a chance to put Andy Robinson through, but over-hit his pass.

On fifty-six minutes Kevin Nugent replaced a limping Paul Connor who had run around on his own up front. Connor appeared to be having treatment on his right thigh immediately from the Club Doctor.

Fifty-nine minutes and Wycombe had their best chance when our first defensive error of the day, a Garry Monk header, fell to Ian Stonebridge whose left foot volley flashed wide.

Swansea bounced back, two minutes later, and after good work from Robinson, Leon Britton fired a goal-bound shot that was deflected for a corner.

On sixty-five minutes Sam Ricketts became the first player to be booked with a professional foul. From the resultant free kick, Gurney, under little pressure, headed against his own bar.

Swansea went back into the pattern adopted in the first half of defending well, but not retaining possession when Wycombe's attacks were breaking down.

On eighty minutes, Brad Maylett replaced Andy Robinson.

Wycombe's attacks became more and more desperate and again they failed to create any real chances.

The referee who for the second away game running was a real 'homer', seemed to let the two minutes of injury time run for an eternity, and as in the first half didn't blow up until Swansea gained possession.

So a great away win and an excellent workmanlike performance.

Gueret – 7 – No real shots to deal with – punches were not at his usual standard.
Gurney – 8 – One moment of madness, but that apart, superb.
Monk – 8 – Again one poor header, but excellent performance.
Austin – 8 – It's easy to forget he is a left-back.
Ricketts – 9 – Brilliant in defence and going forward.

Forbes – 7 – Up against a very poor left-back which he didn't make the most of, but did sterling work in defence.
Martinez – 8 – Battled hard throughout.
O'Leary – 9 – Resembled Vieira in performance if not looks! “Vieira Oh Oh Oh!!!”
Britton – 7 – Asked to do a lot of defensive work, and didn't let anyone down.

Robinson – 7 – Snatched a goal and worked tirelessly, but lacked understanding with Connor.
Connor – 7 – Worked tirelessly again.

Subs:
Nugent – 7 – Excellent work, mostly in defence with clearing headers.
Maylett – 7 – Helped relieve the pressure late on.