Match report

Yet another must-win game but this time with a difference. The sobering thought that failure today could bring an end to our season. The easiest way of looking at today's game was simple: if Swans win, they are in the play-offs.

It was great prior to the match to meet up with so many friends in the throng of Swans fans filling the pubs and streets around the ground.

There was a bizarre presentation before the game by the Tokyo branch of Chesterfield Supporters Club for their player of the year, which happened to be Paul Hall. The presentation drew mild applause from the Chesterfield faithful, and cries of “There's only one Tokyo supporter” from the Swans fans.

Kenny Jackett would have had more headaches with team selection with Kris O'Leary and Kevin McLeod both injured. Owain Tudur Jones came into central midfield, with Leon Britton returning from injury to play right midfield, and Shaun MacDonald moved across to the left. Leon Knight replaced Lee Trundle up front.

Side- Gueret, Tate, Monk, Austin, Ricketts, Britton, Jones, Robinson, MacDonald, Knight, Fallon. Subs – Murphy, Williams, Martinez, Trundle, Akinfenwa.


Swans had a dream start when an Andy Robinson through-ball, which really should have been cut out by the centre-half, fell perfectly for Leon Knight. He looked calmness itself in sliding the ball past Barry Roche to put Swans 1-0 up.

The celebrations were almost cut short just 60 seconds later when Wayne Alison was allowed to steal in at the far post, and only a brave save by Willy Gueret prevented a certain Chesterfield equaliser.

There was another scare for the Swans fans when Kevin Austin's attempted headed clearance went straight to Alison. He laid the ball back to Derek Niven whose shot was only just wide of Willy's far post.

Despite some lapses at the back, it was the Swans who were playing much the better football and looking to control the midfield.

Swans almost doubled the lead on nineteen minutes when an Andy Robinson free-kick was met well by Owain Tudur Jones, but his header went over the bar with Chesterfield keeper Roche beaten.

A minute later and poor Swans marking from a corner allowed Colin Larkin a free header that beat Willy and rebounded to safety off the post.

The second goal, which Swans so desperately needed, arrived on thirty-two minutes. An Andy Robinson corner was met perfectly by Rory Fallon and his powerful header hit the back of the net before Roche had a chance to move.

A couple of minutes later Leon Knight had a chance to kill the game off. There was excellent inter-play between Leon and Rory Fallon, before Leon Knight burst past his marker, but with just the keeper to beat, he screwed his shot wide.

Swans more or less controlled the remainder of the half and Leon Knight had one further effort with his left foot that flashed past the post.

The 2-0 half time score line didn't flatter the Swans. Despite a few lapses in defence we had put in a thoroughly professional and hard-working performance.

Leon Knight almost gave Swansea a dream start again to the second half, forcing a full length save from Roche. From the resultant corner Garry Monk's goal bound header was turned over by Roche, and next it was Andy Robinson to test the keeper with a powerful shot that Roche, again, turned around for a corner.

The Swans were very much looking like the home side and were pushing forward at every opportunity. On the hour Leon Knight drew the keeper off his line and after having his first effort blocked by the Chesterfield goalkeeper, he floated the ball across to Rory Fallon. With Roche off his line, Rory looked to have a great chance but under pressure from Rueben Hazell he headed over the bar.

Swansea continued to look shaky in defence at times, and Colin Larkin had a great opportunity when given far too much time and space. Thankfully he fired straight in to the grateful arms of Willy Gueret from just 10 yards out.

With twenty minutes to go the young Shaun MacDonald was replaced by Tom Williams.

After dominating the early stages of the second half, but failing to score, the Swans seemed to stop believing and started to sit back protecting their two goal lead.

With thirteen minutes remaining, Adebayo Akinfenwa replaced Rory Fallon. Within seconds of coming on Bayo caused a panic in the Chesterfield defence. The ball fell to Leon Knight who was through on goal. With the keeper charging out and a bouncing ball to deal with; Knight did well to lift the ball high over Roche and in to the empty net. It meant all the Swans fans could relax and enjoy the last twelve minutes.

Two minutes remaining and with more poor defending, Leon Knight had a chance for a hat-trick which he took with aplomb, holding off the last defender and lifting the ball over Roche from ten yards.


Gueret – 7 – One excellent save early on.
Tate – 8 – Didn't put a foot wrong all afternoon.
Monk – 8 – Excellent game, denied a goal by a brilliant save.
Austin – 7 – A couple of difficult moments but kept his head.
Ricketts – 7 – Did well defensively, but didn't get forward too much.

Britton – 8 – Always a threat on the right hand side.

Jones – 8 – Back to the form he had shown earlier in the season.
Robinson – 9 – Orchestrated everything in the middle of the park.
MacDonald – 7 – Lost possession too often and targeted immediately he got the ball by 2 or 3 Chesterfield players. Always looking for the ball and never stopped running.

Fallon 8 – Another quality performance.
Knight 9 – Could have scored 5 or 6. Always too quick for a poor defence.

Subs

Williams 7 – Far better quality of crosses than we have seen from him of late.
Akinfenwa 7 – Had a hand in the third goal after being on the pitch no more than 15 seconds.
Martinez – On the field only seconds.

After meeting up with my Dutch friends at the Southend game it was pleasing to meet two Spanish guys at today's game. They are friends of Roberto Martinez and were making their first trip to a Swans game. They seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience and seemed taken aback by the excellent vocal support from the 2,500 Jacks.

So Swans now meet Brentford over two legs. After an impressive performance today Kenny Jackett will be pleased the 2 legs will come in quick succession. If the players showed the belief they showed today……….

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