Swansea City v Bristol City
"Clash of the titans", that's what the press have been calling today's encounter. But apparently it's the Manchester United/Chelsea match they're talking about. Well, the appetizer is an eagerly awaited 'derby' with Bristol City as our visitors.
After the 7 – 1 thumping last year, that City would be keen to put behind them a defeat which spelt the end of Brian Tinnion's managerial career at Bristol.
Swans starting line up included Darren Pratley, recovered from injury, and a first home start for Marcos Painter. Kenny Jackett also included loan signing Ian Craney on the bench.
Side – Gueret, Amankwaah, Lawrence, Austin, Painter, Britton, Pratley. Tate, Robinson, Fallon, Trundle. Subs – Oakes, Iriekepen, Butler, Craney, Akinfenwa .
As we would all expect, the opening few minutes were fast and furious. It was Bristol City that had the game's first chance on four minutes. Following a mistake by Dennis Lawrence, Willy Gueret pushed the ball out from a cross straight onto the head of Brooker, who with the goal at his mercy, could only head weakly over the bar.
The Swan's response followed a few moments later, when a quickly taken Lee Trundle free kick was only inches wide of the target. Andy Robinson had his own chance on nine minutes but his first touch was poor and his snatched shot was easily saved by Basso in the Bristol goalmouth.
Our defence was looking somewhat shaky, with little understanding between individuals.
Alan Tate nearly grabbed a goal with a great run, lifting the ball over the keeper, and with most Swans fans starting to celebrate the goal, a Bristol defender popped up to clear off the line. Now it really was end to end stuff, and Bristol were thrown into confusion with Leon Britton and Andy Robinson switching wings for a while. One Robinson cross field ball found Britton in acres of space on the left. Leon's cross from the bye-line was turned against his own post by a defender.
On 25 minutes Lee Trundle made one of his trademark runs and although marshalled by two defenders he still managed a shot which was excellently saved by Bristol's Brazilian keeper Adriano Basso.
After a fairly even start, the Swans were having much the better of things and Trundle, Britton and Robinson in particular were proving problematic for Bristol.
Whereas Swans were working hard to create openings, all Bristol's efforts seemed to come from individual defensive mistakes but a combination of poor finishing and good positional play from Willy Gueret kept Bristol out.
After a frenetic first half hour the pace slowed noticeably leading up to half time with both teams taking their foot of the gas. Gary Johnson would have been the happier of the two managers at half time with Swans having had the majority of possession.
At half time Izzy Iriekepen replaced Dennis Lawrence. Lawrence had seemed to have a neck injury in the first half which had been treated by Richie Evans.
Lee Trundle almost grabbed an early goal in the second half when he somehow managed to create a chance for himself despite the close attention of 3 defenders. His snapshot was something of a left foot toe poke and was straight into the arms of Basso.
Five minutes later and a rare mistake in the Bristol back line saw Lee Trundle race through but for once his control wasn't great and the chance was spurned.
Andy Robinson went close with a freekick as Swans once again took control.
Ian Craney replaced Kevin Amankwaah on the hour and it seemed from that moment Swans momentum was lost.
Alan Tate dropped back to right back and Craney played deep in midfield which seemed surprising for a player with his goal scoring record.
Bristol took Jeavons off and played with 5 in midfield which stifled the swans and the game.
Bayo Akinfenwa replaced an out of sorts Rory Fallon in a final throw of the dice but Swans created very little in the final twenty minutes as the game petered out to a 0-0 draw.
Ratings
Gueret 7 – Actually came for a couple of crosses today.
Amankwaah 6 – Given a torrid time by the left winger.
Lawrence 6 – Didn't look comfortable ( even before the neck injury).
Austin 7 – Gave very little away.
Painter 8 – A few misunderstandings first half, excellent second half.
Britton 9 – Outstanding.
Pratley 7 – Didn't cover as much ground as usual, probably as result of recent injury.
Tate 7 – Still our best defender and should be playing there.
Robinson 6 – Huffed and puffed and eventually ran out of ideas.
Fallon 5- Out thought and out thought by a rugged opponent.
Trundle 7 – A constant threat.
Craney 6 – Disappointing first game from what looks an exciting addition to our squad.
Akinfenwa 6 – Despite a couple of trademark runs didn't really stir things up.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swansea: Gueret, Amankwaah (Craney 61), Austin, Lawrence (Iriekpen 46), Painter, Tate, Britton, Pratley, Robinson, Trundle, Fallon (Akinfenwa 73).
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Butler.
Booked: Robinson, Austin.
Bristol City: Basso, Fontaine, McCombe, McAllister, Keogh, Skuse, Showunmi, Russell (Murray 73), Johnson, Brooker (Woodman 80), Jevons (Myrie-Williams 56).
Subs Not Used: Weale, Orr.
Booked: Jevons, McAllister.
Att: 15,531
Ref: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).
