Match report

Kenny Jackett rang the changes bringing in a number of fringe players from in the cold for tonight's LDV Trophy game against Rushden and Diamonds. Garry Monk was the only player in the starting line-up to retain his place after Friday's win over Yeovil.

Line up- Murphy, Fiskin, Monk, O'Leary, Austin, Robinson, McDonald, Martinez, Goodfellow, Connor, Forbes.

Subs- Gueret, Jones, Britton, Bond, Pritchard.

The game started with Swans straight onto the attack and after just 15 seconds an excellent cross from Shaun McDonald found Paul Connor unmarked anmd just 8 yards from goal. With just the keeper to beat Connor somehow contrived to head over when it looked easier to score.

The Rushden defence opened up again in the second minute and Paul Connor had another golden opportunity when through one on one with Ruddy in the Rushden goal. Connor's weak effort was easily saved by the young keeper.

Swans were looking much the better side but none the less the excellent crowd of 5,321 breathed a collective sigh of relief when Andy Robinson put Swans ahead after 17 minutes. Mark Goodfellow created an opening on the left and put over an excellent cross that Reddy came for and lost totally, allowing Andy Robinson to bundle the ball over from close range.

The remainder of the first half the Swans continued to look the better side but were frustrated time and again by Rushden's offside trap. Roberto Martinez was dominating the midfield and Garry Monk was superb in defence meaning Brian Murphy was virtually a passenger.

Swansea's dominance continued in the second half and Marc Goodfellow almost extended the lead with a 30 yard shot that flashed just wide of the post. Rushden were then gifted a chance to grab an equaliser. Garry Monk tried to head back to Brian Murphy but his header lacked power and fell straight into the path of Chris O'Grady. Just 8 yards out and with just Murphy to beat he fired to Murphy's right and Murphy pulled off a wonder save to deny him.

Five minutes later and Andy Robinson punished Rushden for their failure to take their chance. Robbo received a short corner on the edge of the box, jinked outside one challenge before firing an unstoppable right foot shot into the top corner.

On 75 minutes Swans all but killed the game off. Marc Goodfellow floated a corner to the near post and Garry Monk's run was not picked up and he headed easily past Reddy.

Kenny Jackett took the opportunity to bring on Owain Jones and Chad Bond taking off Kristian O'Leary and Andy Robinson.

Paul Connor, who had started the game so poorly, then finished the game with a bang. On 86 minutes he beat 3 men and was only denied by an excellent save, but on 89 minutes he finally got his goal. A Roberto Martinez ball over the top caught the Rushden defenders ball watching and Connor ran onto the ball, rounded the keeper and fired home with his left foot.

Swans had won at a canter and Kenny Jackett will have been pleased to blood his fringe players.

Ratings

Murphy 8 - Little to do, but one superb save.

Fiskin 5- Hardly crossed the half way line. Despite Andy Burgess playing wide left, hardly tested in defence but given the runaround by substitute Lee Tomlin. Not the long term answer for Alan Tate at right back.

Monk 8 - Excellent game but one awful error could have proved costly.

O'Leary 7 - Doesn't look as comfortable in defence as he does in midfield.

Austin 6 - Didn't look as composed as usual.

Robinson 8 - Looked a class above anything Rushden had, but does tend to start believing he's Ronaldinho at times,trying to run everything.

Martinez 8 - Dominated the midield.

McDonald 7- Some lovely touches and will have learnt a lot tonight.

Goodfellow 7- Some great touches, but would have wanted a bit more from him if he's to push for a starting place.

Connor 5 - 5/10 for performance, 9/10 for determination.

Forbes 6 - All effort but little end product.

Subs-

Jones 7 - Gave the midfield even more control when he came on.

Bond 7 - A couple of good touches.

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