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Match report


Saturday, August 23, 2005
Walsall 2 - 5 Swansea City

Walsall 2 - 5 Swans - Match report by Nigel Gigg, Pics Dai Smith

An excellent awayday following for the short trip to the Bescott Stadium at Walsall. Walsall have had an excellent start to the season and were lying third prior to kick off. They boast an unbeaten run of 10 games.

Andy Robinson returned from suspension having seemingly been away longer than some armed robbers. He started on the bench.

Izzy Iriekpen returned from his reduced ban to replace Christian Edwards at the heart of the defence. Paul Connor kept his place in attack in preference to Marc Goodfellow.

Side- Gueret, Tate, Iriekpen, Austin, Ricketts, Britton, Martinez, Jones, McLeod, Akinfenwa, Connor.

Subs- Murphy, Edwards, Goodfellow, Robinson, McDonald.


Both teams came out the traps quickly with Owain Jones hitting a left footed shot in the first 15 seconds and Walsall responding with Chris Taylor firing an effort from 20 yards that Willy Gueret did well to hold.

Five minutes into the game Kevin McLeod hit a powerful shot from outside the box that Andy Oakes in the Walsall goal saved well.

Swansea looked the better side in the early stages and it was no surprise when they took the lead on 13 minutes. Paul Connor did really well to chase down a lost cause with the ball running toward the corner flag. He retrieved the ball and passed back to Kevin McLeod on the edge of the box. He laid the ball back to Roberto Martinez, who from fully 25 yards hit a superb right foot shot that gave Oakes little chance.

Walsall almost hit back within 60 seconds when their first decent move of the game saw Jorge Leitao hit a great ball across the six yard line but Walsall's other strikers were slow to respond and despite diving in couldn't reach the ball.

The Swans goal had sparked Walsall into life and now Swans were having to defend for long periods and rely on counter attacks.

With 21 minutes gone Walsall were awarded a penalty. Jorge Leitao beat Kevin Austin in the air and his flick found Matt Fryatt. He wrong footed Izzy Iriekpen whose challenge was adjudged by referee Mr Russell to be illegal. Fryatt dusted himself down before sending Willy the wrong way from the penalty.

The equaliser seemed to dent Swans confidence further and they sat back allowing Walsall to attack in waves. The front pair of Fryatt and Leitao looked to have an excellent understanding and they were causing Kev Austin and Izzy problems. On the right wing Walsall had a young lad, Mark Wright who was playing with confidence and giving Sam Ricketts a torrid time.

On a rare break Leon Britton had a chance to give Swans the lead back but he fired wide.

For the last 10 minutes of the half Swans began to play with more purpose and were matching Walsall in all areas of the pitch.

With half time almost upon us Mr Russell gave one of many disputed free kicks in favour of Walsall. The free kick from the right was met perfectly by centre half Chris Westwood. The header beat Willy but smashed against the bar and was thankfully cleared.

1-1 was probably about right at half time. Swans had had good spells at the start and end of the half with Walsall dominating the middle period.

Tactically, the game was passing Akinfenwa by and both McLeod and Jones were finding it difficult to get into the game. Leon Britton was easily the best player on the park for the first 45 minutes. He had worked tirelessly in both attack and defence.

Swans almost had the dream start to the second half when Adebayo Akinfenwa picked up a poor headed clearance from Steve Staunton. He held off his defender but was let down by a poor second touch allowing Andy Oakes time to dive at his feet and collect the ball.

Akinfenwa wasn't to be denied for long. A minute later, Alan Tate intercepted a Walsall pass just outside the Swansea area. He broke forward and ran 40 yards with the ball. He waited until his marker committed himself before sending a slide rule pass through to Paul Connor. Connor collected the ball out wide but spotted Akinfenwa's run at the far post. He hit a perfect pass/ cross across the six yard line giving Akinfenwa an easy chance which he took with aplomb.

The joy of the Swans fans was short lived again. Willy Gueret seemed to misjudge a soft back header which sailed over his head. There appeared little danger as Willy seemed to have time to retreat and gather the ball. However, Jorge Leitao was in close attendance and as Willy stooped to collect the ball he appeared to be bundled over the line by Leitao. It was difficult to see from the far end of field but I understand Colin Addison on the radio said he hadn't seen a goal like it since the days of Nat Lofthouse, which probably says it all.

The players were livid with the decision and the Swans fans couldn't believe we were to be robbed by yet another poor refereeing decision. The players responded as they should by going straight back on the offensive.

Leon Britton had another chance which looked to have goal written all over it but Oakes managed to stick his left leg out and the ball was deflected for a corner.



With 65 minutes gone Swans took the lead for the third time. Akinfenwa played a ball over the defence for Owain Jones to run onto. He showed considerable composure for a young lad as he bore down on goal. With defenders bearing down on him and the keeper coming out to narrow the angle he fired an excellent shot wide of Oakes and into the corner of the net.
Just 60 seconds later and with most of the Swans fans still celebrating Swans grabbed an unbelievable fourth. Again a ball over the top undid the Walsall defence. Leon Britton was through on goal and although he was closed down he managed to get the ball through to Connor. Connor rolled the ball to McLeod at the far post who was unmarked. His shot from close range was blocked by Oakes. The ball seemed to bounce off Oakes, hit McLeod around the midriff and loop back over Oakes and roll into the net.

Five minutes later and it was five. Was this a dream?

Kevin McLeod had a lucky ricochet on the left. He didn't waste his good fortune and sent over a pinpoint cross which Paul Connor hit first time with his right foot, right into the corner of the net.

No Swans fan in their wildest dream could have anticipated the opportunity to sing 'We Want Six'.

With 20 minutes to go Walsall were dead and buried. Many of the home supporters took the opportunity to leave early and watch some Ashes cricket.

The last 20 minutes saw both teams have several opportunities to score again.

Swans took the opportunity to make use of all three substitutions with Christian Edwards, Andy Robinson and Shaun McDonald replacing Kevin Austin, Kevin McLeod and Adebayo Akinfenwa.

Andy Robinson had the chance to test out his anger management training in injury time when he was hacked twice near the corner flag. He directed his anger at the referee and thankfully the referee for once agreed and booked Craig Pead.

So a fantastic away day victory with our best defender, Garry Monk, and our best striker, Lee Trundle, both missing. The finishing today was top drawer. Our defence was far from perfect with a worrying lack of understanding, at times, between Willy and his centre backs.

The most pleasing thing today was the performance of the midfield. Three of the four scored today with the non scorer Leon Britton having an absolute blinder. If you read the Walsall Rivals match report they state they thought a small boy was playing wide right for Swansea. Well that small boy ran the midfield, covered every blade of grass and showed more heart than all eleven Walsall players put together.



Ratings

Gueret 7 - Still doesn't look as confident as he did last season.
Tate 9- Back at his very best. Did brilliantly for the second goal.
Iriekpen 7 - Must learn to stay on his feet in the box.
Austin 7 - Beaten time and again by Leitao in the air, but never gave in.
Ricketts 8 - Given a tough time for 20 minutes by Wright. Second half Wright had disappeared in oblivion and Sam was able to get forward at will.

Britton 9 - Absolutely superb.
Martinez 8 - Captain's performance.
Jones 8 - Quiet first half. Took his goal with confidence. Can only get better and better.
McLeod 8 - Another who had a quiet first half but excellent second half.

Akinfenwa 7 - As above.
Connor 9 - Did the running of two up front. Caused the back four of Walsall problems all afternoon. Really deserved his goal.

Edwards 7 - Gave nothing away.
Robinson 7- Mr Calm, despite the provocation.
McDonald - Didn't touch the ball in his 60 seconds on


Walsall 2 - 5 Swans - Match report by Clive Alabaster

What a day, what a game! These are rare occasions to be savoured.
About 1000 travelling Swans fans out-sang the home support and on the pitch our attack, especially in the second half, out-played the home team.

The Swans lined up as:
Gueret
Austin Tate Iriekpen Ricketts
Tudor-Jones Britton Martinez McLeod
Akinfenwa Connor
Subs: Robinson, Goodfellow, Edwards, MacDonald, Murphy

 Walsall went into today's game with an unbeaten league record so far this season so a Swansea team depleted of several regulars was always going to find it tough and I for one was rather nervous about the outcome. I needn't have been because the Swans started very brightly and completely dominated possession in the early stages. Owain Tudor-Jones signalled his intent with a rather speculative shot inside the first 30 seconds. It was all going Swansea's way and Walsall only seemed capable of some sort of attack when lucky breaks and rebounds fell their way. On 15 minutes Connor sprinted into the corner to rescue a lost cause, held the ball up well and played a lovely pass inside to Martinez, who cut inside his man and fired an unstoppable shot. It took a small deflection on its way but I'd like to think it was still destined for the back of the net regardless. The goal was all we deserved.



This woke Walsall up and they started to exert some pressure. On 23 minutes their forward cut into the box and a despairing foot from Izzy (?) caught his leg and he tumbled to the ground like a sack of spuds. OK, he had been caught by an innocuous touch but he made as much of it as he could. Mr Russell pointed immediately to the spot and the pen was duly converted by Fryatt who brushed the ball just to Willy's left as he dived into the right hand corner.

This spurred Walsall on and they enjoyed their best spell of the game. Walsall looked dangerous going forward as they attacked well down our left flank and gave Ricketts an uncomfortable time. Swansea were the team who were now struggling to retain possession. The forwards were not holding the ball up and consequently, we were unable to relieve the pressure. Gradually, Swansea dragged themselves back into contention. This was due in no small part to the calmness and skill of Britton and it became increasingly clear what a good game he was having. Leon was eventually put through on goal but sliced his shot wide. In the one minute of first-half extra time Westwood, the Walsall captain and centre-half crashed a header against the bar when he should have scored.

HT 1 - 1

Within the first minute of the second half, Bayo appeared to be through on goal but he played the ball too far in front of himself as he was baring down on goal and the danger was cleared by Oakes in the Walsall goal. However, Bayo was not to be denied because within a minute we attacked right down the middle of the park. The ball was knocked wide right to Connor who had acres of space and time and his cross was sidefooted in by Bayo at the far post. Our rightful lead had been restored. However, this goal was just the start of a remarkable second half in which the Swans were largely dominant.

The Swansea joy was short-lived as in the 49th minute Ricketts nodded an over hit cross back to Willy only to see it clear Willy and bounce towards the goal. Willy scampered back and the Walsall forward went piling in. The facts: 1. Willy caught the ball, 2. the equalising goal was awarded. The questions: "Did Willy catch the ball before it crossed the line?" (probably) and "Did their forward bundle Willy over the line?" (also probably). As the incident took place up the far end of the pitch it was difficult to judge these honestly, however, the looks of incredulity on the Swansea faces said it all. Twice we had taken the lead and twice our own players and the generosity of the officials had gifted them an equaliser. However, this time the Walsall goal proved to be nothing more than a glitch in an otherwise dominant second half performance from the Swans.



We attacked through the centre and down the flanks. Britton, ably assisted by Martinez and O T-J, mounted one attack after another. After some neat build up play through the centre of the pitch O T-J was played in on goal the right hand side. He carried the ball confidently towards goal and finished calmly and firmly, low into the opposite corner for his first Swansea goal and the place duly erupted. A minute later and it was McLeod who was baring down on the Walsall goal, this time from the left. His shot was initially blocked by the keeper but the rebound ricocheted back off McLeod and in for our forth. Swansea were rampant and it was party time in the away end.

On 71 minutes yet another attack was launched through the centre, the ball was spread wide to the left and crossed low across goal for Connor to blast in. It was a neat finish and one which I hope will restore his confidence. The Swans fans sang their hearts out and kept up various chants of "Cheerio", "We want six" and "Easy". In actual, fact it was never easy. Walsall stuck to their passing game and created several (half-)chances, however, they lacked the finishing power and killer touch that the Swans had displayed. Scoring chances came and went for both sides.

Yellow cards were issued to Britton and the Walsall No. 8 (Osborn) for what seemed a minor altercation. Austin made way for Edwards, who initially occupied the left back position then a few minutes later was at right back. Then with 9 minutes to go the crowd had their wishes granted when Robinson replaced McLeod. Unlike last week, the substitutions did not alter the pattern of play. The match was already won. Deep into injury time MacDonald came on for Bayo. Before MacDonald had even touched the ball the referee blew the final whistle and we had three points in the bag.



So my initial fears were unfounded. In the first half it looked like we missed Trundle but then we were treated to a goal fest in the second half. As an ex-centre forward I always keep a special eye on our strikers. Connor was trying hard and his commitment to the cause is admirable but he lacks the killer touch. Sure, he made mistakes and lost possession rather cheaply at times but he took his goal well and I hope it proves to be just the tonic the doctor ordered. I fancy that it will boost his confidence and we will see him score more regularly. As for Bayo, he likes to receive the ball with his back to the defender. He is a real bruiser who just cannot and will not be pushed off the ball. He was often remote from Connor; I would like to see him make runs off Connor for the flick-ons etc… Deep into the second half a BBC voice announced that Chris Westwood had won the (Walsall) man-of-the-match. This was altogether rather embarrassing all round. Whilst today we had 5 different goal scorers, the real man-of-the-match did not get on the score sheet. My vote goes to Leon Britton. Last season we often conjectured that our classier players (Britton, Martinez and, er, um… that's it) would actually do better at the higher level. On today's evidence that appears to be exactly the case.

Clive Alabaster


Walsall 2 - 5 Swansea City

Match Report - Gareth A J Williams



Having lost three successive matches and a host of key players through injuries and suspensions (and thus far failing to bring in the desired reinforcements), Swansea City reversed their recent fortunes to produce what – even at this early stage – may well prove to be the most incredible away victory of the 2005/6 Coca-Cola League One season to thrash previously unbeaten Walsall 5-2.

They achieved it with a performance of brio and gusto and to rip their hosts apart yet they could feel disappointment at failing to register the club’s biggest ever away win, such was their dominance in the second half.

Right from the kick-off Swansea started aggressively; after fifteen seconds Owain Tudur Jones, whose predilection for trying long-range shots has been a welcome addition to what is often a relatively unadventurous Swansea midfield, had tested Andy Oakes in the Walsall goal.

Apparently the away side were starting as they meant to go on because within five minutes both Roberto Martinez and Kevin McLeod had also tried their luck from distance, although there was a warning for the Swans’ backline inbetween time when 15 cut in from the left and fired in a low effort that Willy Gueret did well to smother.

After this fairly frenetic beginning it was perhaps unsurprising that the contest would then settle down somewhat, but with a quarter of an hour gone, it soon burst back into life when Martinez scored his first goal in nearly two and a half years.

McLeod initiated the attack with a ball down the left touchline – knowing that Paul Connor would be working the channel as he so often does – and after managing to keep the ball in play he waited for McLeod to catch up and relayed an astute pass for the winger to run onto. As a defender came to challenge him, he poked the ball backwards to Martinez who was up in support and he took one touch before unleashing a venomous drive from 30 yards that took a slight deflection to beat Oakes.

Now the match regained the end to end nature with which it commenced and the Saddlers should have equalised after twenty minutes but, following a clever move, Jorge Leitao’s teasing ball across the six-yard box was missed by everyone.

Two minutes later and Swansea should have doubled their lead only for Connor to shoot weakly at the keeper, after being sent clear by Leon Britton.

The visitors were made to pay for this profligacy after a further two minutes when Matty Fryatt – the dangerous England U-19 striker – turned in the box and coaxed a desperate, and unnecessary, lunge from Izzy Iriekpen to concede a penalty.

Contact may well may been minimal or it could even have been a case of Fryatt simply, deliberately, tumbling over the outstretched limb for which he should be condemned (because it is cheating) but Iriekpen is also deserving of criticism for his recklessness.

Hopes were high amongst the travelling contingent behind his goal that Gueret would maintain his impressive success rate of keeping out spot kicks but Fryatt coolly sent him the wrong way.

Another lull in play followed the equaliser but both sides had a great chance to get a second just before half-time. Britton skewed a shot wide from just inside the area after Connor and Akinfenwa had tried to break through Walsall’s backline and with stoppage time all but over Walsall skipper Chris Westwood crashed a header against the bar (from a free-kick that never should have been awarded).

That close escape was forgotten about immediately the second half began for the Swans attacked from the kick-off again and Akinfenwa was clear past the Walsall’s rearguard but ultimately his control let him down.

The big man only had to wait another minute for his next chance though and there was no way he could pass that up. Steve Staunton lost possession in his own half and Alan Tate surged forward with colleagues breaking on either side and the home defence outnumbered. He bided his time before releasing Connor on the right whose low cross to the far post found Akinfenwa unmarked for a simple tap-in.

Frustratingly, this advantage was not to last too long either – just four minutes in fact. Staunton’s innocuous crossfield ball should have been easily dealt with by Sam Ricketts but his attempted header back to Gueret was far too strong and looped over the keeper. He turned, chased, while under pressure from Jorge Leitao, and grasped the ball (in both hands) at full stretch about three yards from his line before being bundled into the net by Leitao, not as a result of his own momentum. To everyone’s astonishment, the Frenchman was adjudged by the referee, Mr Russell, to have conceded an own goal.

This injustice could have seen a lesser team crumble but these Swans are made of sterner stuff and they responded by going forward relentlessly and in their droves. In fact, so regular, and threatening, were their forays that it would be simpler to detail them in a list format:

54th minute – Akinfenwa finds himself in the clear but again hesitates, before giving the ball to Connor whose effort is blocked, then Britton finally brings a save from Oakes.
59th minute – Martinez bursts through the centre and slips the ball to Connor inside the penalty area but he also dithers and Tudur Jones ends up shooting instead, but wildly, from 25 yards.
63rd minute – Now it’s Tudur Jones’ turn to be sent clear – by Akinfenwa who had help the ball up well – and he also takes his time, but he finishes confidently and comprehensively. 2-3!
65th minute – Britton heads towards goal, twisting and turning, occupying the attention of three defenders, leaving McLeod free on the left, and when Britton plays him in, his initial shot is repelled by Oakes only for the rebound to cannon in off his upper chest. 2-4!
69th minute – McLeod’s hooked cross from the by-line falls at Connor’s feet in the six-yard box but again he is too slow to capitalise.
70th minute – From Akinfenwa’s headed flick, Connor has yet another shooting opportunity and this time takes it but his attempt is too feeble to trouble the keeper.
71st minute – Connor finally gets on the scoresheet with a precise first-time shot into the far corner after McLeod’s superb low cross to the far post took out two defenders and the keeper. 2-5!
After that twenty-minute onslaught had well and truly buried their hosts, Swansea, almost inevitably, eased off slightly and did allow a few chances for the Saddlers to reduce the deficit.
However, the feeling was that if the Swans really wanted or needed another goal they would have gone and got it, so irresistible was their attacking play. Indeed Britton could have crowned his industrious display with a goal of his own when he seized upon Staunton’s lazy pass three minutes from time, but his goal-bound shot was deflected wide.
The only other noteworthy occurrences from a Swansea perspective in the final minutes involved the league debut of local lad, Shaun MacDonald and the season debut of Andy Robinson. He entered the pitch to loud and, in my view, undeserved cheers. All his ability and commitment will count for little unless he does not learn curb his temper, of which there were flashes as he was frequently fouled while attempting to keep the ball in the corner and do tricks. Why not try for a sixth goal when leading 5-2 with only minutes remaining?!
Anyway, it would be perverse to finish on a low note after such an exhilarating display which, albeit on the evidence of a mere 90 minutes, I believe proves that we do already possess a squad deep and talented enough to compete in the higher reaches of League One.


Walsall 2 - 5 Swansea City

Match Report - Richard of Warwick


Surreal! I could cope with that every week!

A great game of football irrespective of the result but I have to admit that winning by a margin does feel good. Two good footballing sides out there today and lots of pinged accurate passes by both teams. A nice sunny day, good pitch and good home crowd. Correction, forgot we were the away crowd and completely dominated them for 90 minutes. Crap home crowd. Well done the travelling support. Only one complaint - why do you Jack b******s in the buses get the police convoy out when us exiles have to wait in the traffic queue? Anyway stopped at the pub just down the road to review a fine fine win so no harm done.



No poor performances today. Good all round team effort and the broadest of smiles long before the end. First goal from Robbie shooting from outside the box! Just a touch of a deflection but if you don't shoot you can't get the luck. Then a pen to equalise - fair enough - Izzy stuck out a foot and down he went.

Second half - sublime! A most perfect goal to regain the lead. Tate break out down the right, beautifully weighted pass to Connor, slide-rule cross across the face of the goal for Bayo to tuck away. Class!

Then a complete horlicks of an own goal. Was it Sam who headed back over Willy? Willy running back towards his sticks gathers the ball well and dives over for a try. Oh no wrong game - for an own goal! Now 120 yards away it looked like a banker foul on Willy and in fairness the whole team stood ashen faced with hands on hips in disbelief when the ref did not blow. Talked to a Walsall fan afterwards who said their guy made no contact. Then I would not have accepted it, but now - ok whatever!

Time for heads to drop? Not a bit of it. Bring on rapid fire goals from Tudur-Jones (great finish with right foot) McLeod (great finish with right knee!) and Connor (great can't remember!)

So then we kill the game right. Wrong!!!

This could have ended 9-5. End to end stuff and highly entertaining. Ok when you have a three goal buffer but we do need to learn to control and slow a bit better.

Stars today? As I said no bad performances but stand outs were Leon (awesome energy, commitment and skill), McLeod (second fine game in a row), Tate (solid and good going forward), Izzy ( welcome back, don't go away again), Connor (worked his socks off and looked better than I credit him with usually).

I could mention all the others too. Great win. Have a good night lads but remember we need another win on Monday.

Bring on Barnsley. Will miss that one as off to France for a weeks hols now. Thanks for postponing MK. Very helpful!

Walsall: Oakes, Pead, Westwood, Staunton, Bennett, Wright, Kris Taylor, Smith (Standing 68), Wrack (Osborn 68), Leitao, Fryatt.
Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Larrosa, Gilmartin.

Booked: Osborn, Pead.

Goals: Fryatt 24 pen, Gueret 51 og.

Swansea: Gueret, Tate, Austin (Edwards 76), Iriekpen, Ricketts, Britton, Tudur-Jones, Martinez, McLeod (Robinson 81), Connor, Akinfenwa (MacDonald 90).
Subs Not Used: Murphy, Goodfellow.

Booked: Britton.

Goals: Martinez 15, Akinfenwa 47, Tudur-Jones 63, McLeod 65, Connor 71.

Att: 5,745

Ref: M Russell (Hertfordshire).

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