After the break for Internationals it was back to League action today for the eagerly anticipated Derby against Bristol City. Bristol have had a wretched start to the season, with just one League win to date. They started with ex Premiership strikers, Michael Bridges up front and Marcus Stewart on the bench. The injury bug had again taken its toll on the Swans, with Garry Monk and Adrian Forbes still to recover and now joined in the sick-room by Kris o'Leary and Owain Tudur-Jones. Loan signing Marcus Bean returned to the Swans and went straight into midfield keeping Andy Robinson on the bench. SIDE- Gueret, Tate, Irirkepen, Austin, Ricketts, Britton, Martinez, Bean, McLeod, Akinfenwa, Trundle. Subs- Murphy, Anderson, Robinson, Goodfellow, Connor. Bristol City centre half Richard Keogh was booked after just 2 minutes for a rash challenge on Kevin McLeod and he was soon followed by Marcus Bean for shirt tugging. It seemed Mr (not Master) Bates was determined to stamp his mark on the game. As with our other 3 home League games this one started as an open flowing affair with both teams keeping the ball on the floor and playing football. Sam Ricketts almost capped a great week for himself with some great control and a well struck shot that Steve Phillips in the Bristol goal did well to hold. Marcus Bean was sitting deep in midfield alongside Roberto Martinez and whilst this was helping to bolster us defensively our other 2 midielders may have little support going forward. Adebayo Akinfenwa had a clear opportunity to put Swans one up after a pinpoint cross from Sam Ricketts. Bayo rose unchallenged but directed his header just wide of the post. This sparked a period of swans pressure but the goal would not come. Bristol were now hanging on and were offering little in attack. Steven Gillespie was their lone striker with Bridges playing 15 yards or so deeper. They appeared to have little understanding. With half time approaching Lee trundle produced his first piece of magic with a turn and a cross/ shot that flashed past the post. Trundle had a similar opportunity just 60 seconds later but this time Phillips managed to scramble Trundle's effort over the bar. From the resultant corner Izzy Iriekepen's goal-bound header was deflected for another corner and it seemed the goal that Swansea so richly deserved would never come. Kevin McLeod's corner was well struck and bending viciously toward the near post, Akinfenwa and his marker dived in but the corner already seemed over the line before Akinfenwa scrambled the ball in. Cue- 100 metres breast stroke from Kevin McLeod. In the final seconds of the half Lee Trundle had a great chance to make it two, when he dispossessed the centre half and with just the keeper to beat shot meekly into Phillips's arms. So Swans went in deservedly 1-0 up and had finally been rewarded for an excellent half of football the platform for which had been created by Roberto Martinez and Marcus Bean who had taken a stranglehold of the midfield. Swans didn't start the second half too well with a couple of defensive lapses, and after a brief period of Bristol pressure order was restored and Swans first attack of the second half brought their second goal. Kevin McLeod out wide left slipped the ball inside to Adebayo Akinfenwa who was fully 4o yards out from goal. He rode tackle after tackle and when he got into the box he let fly but seemed to mishit the shot which bounced past Phillips and into the net. On 53 minutes Brian Tinnion played what he hoped would be his trump card with the introduction of Scott Murray and Marcus Stuart. The substitution worked wonders, but for swans not Bristol City when Mr Bates noticed a shirt tug in the box and awrarded swans a penalty. Lee Trundle sent Phillips the wrong way with a well struck penalty. Within 60 seconds it was almost 4 with one of the most remarkable goals most of those present would have ever seen. Kevin Mcleod collect the ball just inside the Bristol half and noticing Phillips off his line hit a 50yard shot like an exocet which Phillips did really well to tip over whilst back tracking. Had the ball gone in McLeod would surely have run out of the Stadium, dived into the Tawe, swim to Mumbles and back in time to score his hat trick. On 68 minutes the fourth duly arrived. Izzy Iriekepen intercepted the ball in midfield, after touches from Bean and Martinez the ball arrived with McLeod who took one step before unleashing a 35 yard drive straight into the top corner of the net. It was a goal of pure quality. A minute later and it was five. The most simple of goals. A Roberto Martinez free kick from outside the box was floated in low to Lee Trundle. He expertly held off his marker allowing the ball to bounce goalward. Still holding off his marker he finally fired the ball into the roof of the net from just 5 yards giving Phillips no chance. Kenny Jackett took the opportunity to rest Sam Ricketts and replaced him with Ijah Anderson. Paul Connor replaced Adebayo Akinfenwa as Kenny Jackett looked to give another striker the chance to enjoy what was turning into a jamboree. With the crowd calling for an unbelievable sixth, their call was answered. Leon Britton received the ball on the edge of his own box after a Bristol City attack broke down. He ran and ran and with just Lee Trundle in support he seemed to be biding his time before passing. With the defenders expecting the pass Leon got into the Bristol box before firing a low left foot shot into the corner of the net. There was never a more worthy goalscorer in the eyes of the Swansea faithful. The Bristol fans joined in the chorus of 'Easy, Easy'. Before kicking off again Leon was in obvious pain and limped off. He was replaced by Andy Robinson but before the game could restart Mr Bates ran to the corner flag, where Leon was trying to run off his injury, to book Leon for leaving the field without his permission. It summarised why referees get such a bad name. For those that like standing at football matches this must have been terrific with Swans fans up and down every few minutes to celebrate a goal. Bristol City pulled a goal back with a bending right foot shot from David Cotterill. With six minutes left Kevin Austin picked up a needless booking retaliating to a poor tackle that Mr Bates missed. With three minutes left Swans were in seventh heaven with their seventh goal. After a great move involving Paul Connor and Lee Trundle Andy Robinson fired a shot that was going well wide. Kevin McLeod appeared from nowhere to hammer the ball into the roof of the net for his hat trick. Izzy Iriekepen looked to have scored the eighth with a header from a Roberto Martinez free kick and with half the Swans team celebrating by the corner flag hardly anyone noticed Mr Bates blow up for an infringement. Bristol City caught Swans cold and totally outnumbered Swans as they attacked. Kevin Austin looked to have made a saving tackle but stayed down after the challenge before the danger was cleared. A melee developed but Kevin Austin was still lying on the ground and was not involved. Mr Bates only booked one player, Kevin Ausin who he also showed the red card to for his second card. Austin was let from the field by the Physio and Doctor with blood pouring from his head wound. Swans almost scored again through Andy Robinson but we had to settle for seven. Today was a day to remember with champagne football, a hat trick from the newest hero and an incedible 28 shots on goal from a team many tipped as favourites for promotion. All this with an injury crises! Thankfully the goals and the quality of football masked yet another poor referring performance. Ratings Gueret 7 - Quiet game but signs confidence is returning. Tate 9 - Pick of the defence again. Iriekepen 8- Excellent game, denied a goal he deserved by the referee. Austin 8 - Another excellent game. I'd blame the referee for his second booking but shouldn't have reacted to receive the first. Ricketts 8- Considering the week he's had, nobody could have asked any more. Britton 9 - Brilliant display capped by a wonder goal. Bean 9 - Is this the same Marcus Bean we had on loan last year. Martinez 9 - Has turned the clock back this season. McLeod 10 - What can you say. I thought he had a quiet first 40 minutes then scored a hat trick and close to one of the best goals imaginable. Akinfenwa 8 - Another 100% effort from Bayo. Trundle 9 - Another who had a quiet first half but toyed with the defenders second half. Subs Anderson 7 - Did well and helped out in defence and attack. Robinson 7 - Looked determined to add his name to list of scorers, but not today. Connor 7 - Given time and space by a ragged defence for 10 minutes, added a helping hand to the seventh goal. Swansea City 7 Bristol City 1 - report by Paul Nicholas, Pictures by Gary Martin Ok then, who got 5 points on predictascore for this one? The only thing I'd say is that 7-1 just doesn't reflect the reality of the game - it should have been 11-0. In rather murky conditions, 13,662 turned up to see the Swans' local derby against a Bristol City side which so far has managed one win and three draws at home, but had lost 2 out of 2 away. The line-up Gueret Tate Austin Iriekpen Ricketts Britton Martinez Bean McLeod Trundle Akinfenwa Each game this season seems so much livelier than in recent years. A bit of end to end play and a couple of examples of slack marking saw openings for both sides. On a couple of occasions, we were bunching in defence and mid field and allowing the Bristol City attackers too much free space. As things settled and Bean adapted to the pace of the game we got into a rhythm that we didn't lose for the rest of the game. We were attacking from all direction, and worthy of particular mention in the first 45 minutes are Tate and Ricketts. They attacked from their full back positions relentlessly, stretching the Bristol defence every time, and with some excellent off the ball running by their team mates, some neat balls were played forward to ensure that the moves didn't simple fade out. I'm not sure of the new pitch dimensions compared to the Vetch but there certainly seems to be a lot more width to the playing area, which the Swans are taking full advantage of. Throughout the half, one thing the Swans had demonstrated was their appetite to shoot on site, and if nothing else this makes a defence very uncomfortable and forces them to try to close attacks down much further out, often leaving spaces behind for a quick through ball. With most of my viewing companions disappearing to the ground floor areas of the East Stand for refreshments reasonably happy with the 0-0 half time position, McLeod claimed his 5th goal of the season, curling a low corner straight into the net with Akinfenwa there to make sure that it didn't have any trouble getting over the line. What a great time to score. With the second half just 5 minutes old, and many still in the bar, the Swans made it 2-0 when Akinfenwa received the ball inside the Bristol half, carried it forward and unleashed a shot that the keeper would have no hope with. He's a big guy, and not the fastest, but give him the ball and he usually does something constructive with it. 8 minutes later and it was 3-0 when Trundle converted a penalty given for some shirt pulling by a Bristol defender. 11 minutes later, McLeod got his second when he sent a screaming shot into the top right hand corner of the goal. Not much earlier, he had hit a 40 yard shot which bent and swerved like nothing I've seen and had their keeper not tipped it over the bar, it surely would have made goal of the season in anyone's ratings. Two minutes later and Trundle got his brace. With his confidence boosted by his successful penalty, and his first half miss when one on one with the keeper well behind him, he hit a sweet left foot volley as he was running from the right towards the six yard box, and at 5-0 the game was over. Far too often teams then relax, but today - no way. On 75 minutes, Leon Britton was put through the middle, and when he beat one man took the ball to the left, he straightened himself and hit a beautifully clean shot to the keeper's right. When he scored, such was the support play by the Swans today, he could also have passed to the left or right had his path been blocked. Then came a bit of a shock, when Bristol pulled one back, and sent their fans into raptures though I'm not quite sure why!! They took advantage of some loose marking, and beat Gueret, but that wasn't going to spoil any Swans fan or player's party. So was there anything left - yes there was and McLeod made his day and the crowd's with another superb shot to make it 7-1 on 87 minutes. Watching 13,000 fans singing 'Swim Away' is quite something I can tell you. Even that wasn't the end, as Iriekpen had a goal disallowed but no one was sure why - the scoreboard had already clocked over to 8-1. Austin's sending off at the end was inevitable once he pushed the guy having been booked for a foul earlier. From what I could see, Austin had been elbowed initially but no punishment was handed out for that. Whether or not there will be an appeal remains to be seen, but we will miss his strength and application in defence if he is suspended. Britton's booking was a bit strange too - looked like he was cautioned for leaving the field when he was being substituted, before the numbers went up on the board. This was my fourth consecutive home game at the New Stadium, three of which have seen me sitting in Row X in the East Stand, deep amongst the more vocal members of the crowd. With Burberry hats to the left and Burberry shirts to the right, I didn't want to stand out from the crowd today, so today I discreetly wore my Burberry after shave, and fitted in just lovely!! By 5 minutes before kick off, my Swansea City Chants bingo card was full, as the faithful had delivered all the familiar welcomes reserved for our friends from the West Country, and the atmosphere was hovering somewhere between electric and alcoholic, but was it LOUD or what? I cannot believe that any team, certainly outside of the top flight clubs, gets the atmosphere and vocal support from their fans that the Swans enjoy. It is magnificent. If only the fans could just ditch their penchant for 'anti-others' chants and throw all their energies into getting behind our players. The New Stadium's absence of demarcation lines between the stands, also results in everyone in the ground joining in on many occasions, and I can only imagine how that fires our players up, and intimidates the opposition. More of the same please. We have scored 20 goals in 7 games, have a positive goal difference of 10, and have 3 players in the top ten scorers in the division (McLeod 7, Trundle 5, Akinfenwa 3), now that is some start to a season by anyone's standards. This was easily the best performance I have seen for years, and I haven't seen such a relentless attacking wave since the infamous 8-0 drubbing of Hartlepool many years ago. This is no game to hand out player ratings as I could not accuse anyone on the field, whether they were on for 90 minutes or less, of not giving their all. McLeod's hatrick was probably the only factor that enabled the decision makers to give him the MOTM award, but whatever - he deserved it anyway. As everyone left the ground, one person seemed rooted to his seat, and seemingly having no intention of going anywhere, and that was Brian Tinnion, the Bristol City manager. The last thing he wanted to do was face his players, and more probably his directors. The East Stand's requests for him to give them a wave seemed to fall on deaf ears. Lock up when you leave please Brian. This Swans team has the ability to cut opposition teams apart, they attacked today in a way none of us will have been used to. Kenny Jackett is doing something very well with these players, and when humorous shouts of 'Jackett Out' rang in my ears when Bristol got their one goal - well, you just had to smile. Would you like your match report printed here? Email it to the site straight after the match. Click here to return to the main page.
Ok then, who got 5 points on predictascore for this one? The only thing I'd say is that 7-1 just doesn't reflect the reality of the game - it should have been 11-0. In rather murky conditions, 13,662 turned up to see the Swans' local derby against a Bristol City side which so far has managed one win and three draws at home, but had lost 2 out of 2 away. The line-up Gueret Tate Austin Iriekpen Ricketts Britton Martinez Bean McLeod Trundle Akinfenwa Each game this season seems so much livelier than in recent years. A bit of end to end play and a couple of examples of slack marking saw openings for both sides. On a couple of occasions, we were bunching in defence and mid field and allowing the Bristol City attackers too much free space. As things settled and Bean adapted to the pace of the game we got into a rhythm that we didn't lose for the rest of the game. We were attacking from all direction, and worthy of particular mention in the first 45 minutes are Tate and Ricketts. They attacked from their full back positions relentlessly, stretching the Bristol defence every time, and with some excellent off the ball running by their team mates, some neat balls were played forward to ensure that the moves didn't simple fade out. I'm not sure of the new pitch dimensions compared to the Vetch but there certainly seems to be a lot more width to the playing area, which the Swans are taking full advantage of. Throughout the half, one thing the Swans had demonstrated was their appetite to shoot on site, and if nothing else this makes a defence very uncomfortable and forces them to try to close attacks down much further out, often leaving spaces behind for a quick through ball.
Would you like your match report printed here? Email it to the site straight after the match. Click here to return to the main page.
