Swansea City 1 Bradford 0 - Nigel Gigg, Pictures by Andrew Thomas
 

The sense of anticipation leading up to Swans home games at the Liberty has all but disappeared with a string of poor results and performances at both the start of this season and the tail end of last season. One win from the last eight home games is a poor return from a well paid and talented squad that Kenny Jackett has built.

 

Jackett rang the changes again seeking the magic formula for success. Dennis Lawrence returned from injury to the heart of the defence, Alan Tate was pushed forward to midfield and Tom Butler, who has flattered to deceive to date, started on the left of midfield ahead of Andy Robinson.

Up front, Kenny Jackett finally gave Bayo Akinfenwa a start ahead of Rory Fallon. Bradford included old hands Dean Windass and David Weatherall.

 

Side- Gueret, Amankwaah, Iriekepen, Lawrence, Austin, Britton, Pratley, Tate, Butler, Akinfenwa, Trundle.

Subs – Oakes, Way, Robinson, Knight, Fallon.

Swans came out the traps quickly and had a penalty appeal turned aside by referee Mr Williamson inside the first 60 seconds. Bayo Akinfenwa burst on to a Lee Trundle through ball and was sandwiched by two defenders and went to ground under their challenge.

The early signs were very encouraging as Swans played open adventurous football and seemed brimming with confidence.

Leon Britton had the game’s first shot on target but his effort lacked power and was straight into the arms of the giant Donovan Ricketts in the Bradford goal.

Despite dominating possession in the early stages Swans couldn’t quite find the key to unlock a well marshalled Bradford defence, and it was Bradford that almost grabbed a surprise lead on 25 minutes when a neat movement created space for Dean Windass 15 yards out from goal. With the goal at his mercy he took a touch allowing Willy Gueret to make excellent ground and pull off a block from short range.

Tom Butler had had a very quiet start to the game but he came to life on 27 minutes with a terrific run, a cut inside and a low right foot drive that had Ricketts beaten but it flashed just wide of the post.

Swans were pushing forward with meaning now and it was Butler that almost scored again this time with his left foot after being put forward by Lee Trundle. His shot came back off the foot of the post with Ricketts well beaten again.  

Bradford were forced into a substitution on 34 minutes when the dangerous Lee Holmes limped off to be replaced by Lee Colbeck. Colbeck’s first action saw him hacking down Lee Trundle earning him a yellow card within 15 seconds of coming onto the field.

Swans almost scored again after Tom Butler put Bayo Akinfenwa through but Bayo’s shot lacked conviction and was cleared off the line by a defender.  

Dean Windass become Bradford’s second substitution just before half time. He limped off to be replaced by David Graham, the ex Torquay player who has scored several times against us over the years.  

The 0-0 scoreline at half time was frustrating but Swans dominance had deserved better and patience would be needed in the second half.  

Swans started the second half as they had the first, taking the game to Bradford. Izzy Iriekepen should have scored from a corner but the ball seemed to get stuck under his feet with the goal at his mercy 6 yards out.  

Swans came desperately close to braking the deadlock again after an exquisite ball through the defence from Alan Tate found Lee Trundle. He laid the ball across the six yard line but Bayo Akinfenwa couldn’t get a clean strike on the ball and Williamson was able to save.

 

Bradford were getting more and more physical in their approach and Mr Williamson didn’t help matters with his lenient approach.  

Half  way through the half Andy Robinson replaced Leon Britton.  

Willy Gueret almost gifted Bradford the lead when a lapse in concentration saw him spill a soft shot but thankfully he was able to stop the ball from crossing the line.  

Swans finally got the goal their play had so deserved on 72 minutes. Tom Butler made another excellent run down the left wing. He played the ball inside to Bayo Akinfenwa on the edge of the box. Bayo cleverly let the ball run through to Lee Trundle and he picked out a pass to Andy Robinson who had more space. Robbo still had it all to do, but he took just one touch before firing a low hard drive with his left foot into the corner of the net.  

Three minutes later and Lee Trundle almost made it 2-0. From the narrowest of angles he almost beat Williamson on his near post but the ball rebounded to safety off the post.

With seven minutes left Tom Butler was replaced by Darren Way as Kenny Jackett looked to shut up shop.  

Despite totally dominating possession and having virtually all the second half chances, Swans almost gifted an equaliser to Bradford in injury time. But Steven Schumacher drove his shot wide with just Willy to beat.  

There was one more scare in the last minute of injury time but Swans clung on for a well deserved victory.  

Ratings-  

Gueret 7 – One or two hairy moments but one terrific block.
Amankwaah 7 – Another good solid game from a player that looks to have settled well into the right back slot.
Lawrence  7- Perversely never seems to win a header in the opposition box. That said he was excellent in defence.
Iriekepen 7 – Gave nothing away. Lacked composure with the chance to score.
Austin 6- Still looks the weak link in defence but gave nothing away today.
Britton 6 – Just not himself at the moment. Much better second half before his substitution.
Pratley 7 – Runs all day but never seems to find the right pass going forward.
Tate 8 – Mr Dependable at the moment.
Butler 8- Would have pushed Tatey for MOM.
Akinfenwa 7 – Disappointing finishing but did everything else well.
Trundle 7 – Unlucky not to score and a few glimpses that he may be coming back to something approaching his best.

Subs  -  

Robinson 8 – Again turned the game when coming on.
Knight 7 – Looked sharp and had one terrific strike late on.
Way 7 – Helped shore things up late on.    

Swansea enjoyed the majority of possession in the second half and they were rewarded for their play when Robinson wriggled free of the City defence to fire a left-foot shot into the net from six yards.

The hosts continued to push for a second goal and Akinfenwa had a chance five minutes from time only to see Ricketts deny him with a fine save.

Leon Knight could have doubled the Swans' lead seconds before the whistle but Ricketts was again alert to save the 25-yard strike.