Match report

Kenny Jackett took a strong squad to Carmarthen tonight for the semi final of the FAW Cup.

There was one big surprise in the starting line up with Adebayo Akinfenwa starting in central midfield.

Side- Murphy, Tate, Watt, Monk, Williams, Forbes, Akinfenwa, Britton, McDonald, Fallon, Trundle. Subs- Gueret, Ricketts, Iriekepen, Robinson, Knight.

Carmarthen only first half clear chance came inside the first 90 seconds when Mark Dodds was given a free header from just 8 yards out that he headed over the bar.

Swans produced next to nothing going forward and Carmarthen's young keeper, Andrew Delve, only had to deal with a couple of efforts from Shaun McDonald and Rory Fallon.

Kenny Jackett would have had some stern words at half time as too many Swans players were playing as if this were Carmarthen Ladies second eleven and the Swans players were not paying sufficient respect to a side that was fighting for all it was worth.

Thankfully, after 60 minutes Swans took the lead. A nice through ball from Alan Tate should have been cleared by the defender but found its way through to Leon Britton. Leon's hard low shot was straight at the keeper, but he only managed to deflect the ball into the net.

Kenny Jackett replaced Akinfenwa with Ricketts which saw Alan Tate move up to midfield.

On 70 minutes a Carmarthen free kick from just outside the box was deflected into his own net by Sam Ricketts and just 3 minutes later Carmarthen took the lead. A deep ball should have been cleared by Sam Ricketts, but he tried to be clever and chested the ball upwards. While Sam was waiting for the ball to come down, Nathan Cotterill stole in to head toward goal. Brian Murphy looked to have pushed his effort over the bar but the ball dropped into the goal. It was an absolutely shocking goal to concede.

A minute later and Swans should have been level. Lee Trundle produced some good work and his low drive across goal was met by Adrian Forbes, who was stretching but really should have scored from just 3 yards out instead of hitting the post.

Adrian Forbes and Shaun McDonald made way for Leon Knight and Andy Robinson.

Swans still looked lacklustre but had a lifeline with just a minute left when Rory Fallon headed an Alan Tate cross across goal for Lee Trundle. Just 5 yards out he should have buried his header, but watched as it drifted over the bar.

With Swans looking to be going out and the game into injury time Andy Robinson saved Swansea's blushes. An Alan Tate cross from the right was behind Robinson but he struck an overhead volley. The keeper let Robbo's shot through his fingers and into the net.

The first period of extra time was poor quality but Carmarthen were visibly tiring. Lee Trundle got Swans winner early in the second period of extra time with a left footed 'pass' into the corner of the net. Swans had further chances most of which fell to Lee Trundle, but there were no further goals.

So Swans are through to the final where they will again face Wrexham. Tonight's was a poor performance and Swans win was more down to two dreadful errors by the Carmarthen keeper.

The referee, Mr Lawler, who we seem to have for all our FAW games was his usual dreadful self. The worse the tackle the more likely he is to avoid it. One excuse may be his eyesight because he's normally so far away from play it must be difficult to see. It's a sad indictment that this fellow has to come 150 odd miles from Holyhead, surely there are better referees closer to home?

I will avoid comment and marks, but suffice to saw Andy Robinson again rescued Swans. Alan Tate, Leon Knight and Leon Britton battled hard, but a few others should have a good hard look at themselves.



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