Swansea 2 Brentford 0 - Match Report - Nigel Gigg, Match Pictures Andrew Thomas and Gary Martin.



Saturday's defeat at Huddersfield was a major setback for the Swans. To lose after being 2-0 up at half time can mean more than just the loss of three points and Kenny Jackett would have been really grateful a have another game within 48 hours and even more grateful that the visitors were bottom club Brentford.

Brentford have gone backwards since their play off semi final defeat to the Swans last year. Their best players, including Swans captain Darren Pratley and Jay Tabb have left as has Manager Martin Allen. They are now managed on a caretaker basis by Scott Fitzgerald who not so long ago featured as a striker for the Swans whilst on loan from Watford.

Swans welcomed back Leon Britton and Bayo Akinfenwa got a rare start in for the suspended Lee Trundle.

Side- Gueret, Tate, Lawrence, Austin, Painter, Britton, Pratley, Craney, Robinson, Akinfenwa, Fallon. Subs - Oakes, Amankwaah, Williams, Butler, Jones ( C ).

Ian Craney had the games first opportunity after Leon Britton threaded a header into his path but Craney scuffed his effort from 18 yards out.

Swans were looking a little ring rusty and thankfully Brentford did not look very dangerous and the game began very scrappily. The weather certainly wasn't helping and torrential rain made for a slippery surface. However, again terrific praise for the ground staff as the surface looked fantastic. This after two rugby games on the pitch in the last week including the Ospreys / Dragons game that was played in near monsoon conditions at times.

Leon Britton almost broke the deadlock on 20 minutes when he left his marker for dead with a neat turn. His left foot shot was well saved by Nathan Abbey in the Brentford goal but Abbey was unable to hold onto the ball which fell into the path of Rory Fallon. Fallon looked to have a relatively easy task of tapping the ball home but he somehow managed to lift the ball over the bar from just 12 yards out.

Swans finally started to get into gear and Andy Robinson almost scored from a free kick that Abbey did well to turn around the post for a corner. Robinson had another chance with a long range shot that flew past the post.

Swans finally took the lead on 28 minutes when after touches from Leon Britton and Darren Pratley the ball came to Bayo Akinfenwa at the far post. With the keeper bearing down on him, Bayo lifted the bouncing ball over Abbey and into the corner of the net.

Brentford at last started to come out of their shells and had their first shot at goal on 31 minutes when Jo Kuffour tried his luck from outside the box but failed to trouble Willy Gueret in the Swansea goal.

Ian Craney was lucky not to concede a penalty when he mistimed a challenge in the Swans penalty area but thankfully referee Mr Hall waved play on.

Swans looked to have killed the game off on 40 minutes with their second goal. For once Swans played a lovely passing movement from defence through midfield before Leon Britton's incisive pass put Andy Robinson in on goal. Robinson had a tight angle and shot at goal. It is debatable whether the shot was on target and seemed to be deflected by defender Karleigh Osborne into the net.

Brentford responded well again to the goal but they lacked any sort of punch up front and Swans went into the half time break 2-0 up for the third consecutive game.

Darren Pratley failed to appear at the start of the second half having picked up an injury after about 30 minutes. Tom Butler replaced him, with Leon Britton coming to the centre of midfield and Butler going wide right.

The second half took on the look of a training ground kick about with neither team really breaking sweat. Andy Robinson was however soon in the wars and hobbled off clutching his back. He was replaced by Kevin Amankwaah. The change saw dramatic chances to the side with Amankwaah going to right back, Tatey moving to central midfield, Leon going back wide right and Butler switching to the left.

There were second half chances for Tom Butler and Bayo Akinfenwa and numerous long range shots from Brentford but it didn't seem either side was capable of scoring again.

It was disappointing again that Kenny Jackett didn't have the confidence in Chris Jones to give him 10 minutes or so against what is almost certainly the weakest side in this League and with the Swans 2-0 up.