Swansea City 5 Carlisle United 0 - Peter Charles

Not even the most critical of Swans fans could deny that this was a highly impressive display at the Liberty today, against plucky opposition who never gave up the chase and who certainly didn't appear cannon fodder material. But the Swans were irresistible today, playing the sort of slick, passing football to feet, using the width of the pitch with fluent ease, which we seem to see fleetingly but never in abundance. Driven on by a terrific midfield engine room, tricky and skillful attackers, a tight defence and an overwhelming sense of team-work, the home side swept to a wholly convinving win against a team hard on their tail. The only downside of the whole event was Kenny Jackett's post match interview on Real Radio. When asked "what made the difference today" he replied that he didn't know - a pity that, we could do with this sort of performance on a more consistent basis. Still, we didn't let it spoil our day!

Given the injury situation, it was a strong-looking Swans team which took to the field in gloriously sunny conditions, and on a playing surface which looked remarkably good, and which played very well, considering the onslaught from the Ospreys the night before. Perhaps we should ask the oval balled ones to give the pitch a good going-over before every game...it seemed to do the trick! Gueret retained his place in goal, with Painter and Tate at full back. Austin and Lawrence took the centre half roles, with a centre midfield pairing of Craney and Pratley. On the flanks we saw Robinson and Britton, left and right respectively, and up front Trundle partnered Fallon.

The opening seconds of the game set the tone for the rest, as the Swans produced a terrific passing move involving Pratley (making the first of many excellent surges from midfield), Tate, Trundle and Britton. Ultimately, Britton crossed for Fallon, whose looping volley was turned away by the soon to be overworked Carisle keeper. Bizarrely, we followed this with five minutes' worth of 60 yard hoofing, before getting back into the groove with a swirling Trundle cross which nearly found Fallon's head. On 7 minutes we got our first breakthrough, when an inswinging corner from Trundle was volleyed acrobatically back cross goal by Robinson - the keeper parried the excellent effort, only to see the ball fall to the predatory Lawrence, who lashed home from three yards. A well taken goal which owed as much to Robinson's ingenuity as to Lawrence's finish.

By this stage, the Swans were fully into their stride - Craney and Pratley were winning everything in midfield, and spreading play brilliantly to the flanks. Robinson and Britton were proving terrier-like, and movement of the front two was complementing this. Supported by the advancing full backs, we were producing a series of neat passing moves which were beginning to carve holes in the desperate visitors' defence. On 12 minutes Robinson slipped a perfect through ball into the path of Trundle, whose low shot was saved. Then on 15 minutes we doubled our lead when a quick-thinking Tate took a throw in to Pratley who was standing on the Carlisle goal line near the corner flag. The midfielder then delivered an excellent low and curling cross to towards Fallon who, for once showing great movement across his marker, lashed an unstoppable low shot into the corner. This is the kind of anticipation that we need to see more of from Fallon if he is to turn his work rate into more goals - but this one was a cracker.

The incessant waves of pressure continued as the Swans revelled in their domination. On 19 minutes the irrepressible Robinson showed excellent close control, followed by a close turn and another perfect through ball to Trundle. This time, Lee slipped his defender and slid a low near post cross towards Britton, whose sliding effort went wide. Trundle was involved again a minute later when he worked an excellent one-two with Craney, whose shot was saved comfortably. At this point our general team play was so good, we looked as though we could score at will, but when the third goal came, it was a remarkable solo effort. For the umpteenth time, Robinson received the ball in a deep position. He surged forward looking to pick out a pass, but seeing nothing on in front of him, he unleashed an unstoppable thirty yard drive into the top corner. A truly magnificent goal to crown a majestic performance from Robbo.

To be fair to Carlisle they remained plucky, and on 33 minutes they struck the bar with a great curling shot. This may have brought them back into it, but the Swans were undeterred. On 39 minutes another flowing move, started by Robinson in midfield, resulted in a Pratley cross into the box which was met by the head of Robinson, completing the move after a forty yard run. His looping header was tipped over the bar. A minute later Robinson, on fire in the first half, produced a sublime first time flick to set Pratley cantering towards goal, only for the midfield man to be closed down. Then on 41 minutes it was Robinson again, thundering a 20 yard strike on target which was again denied by a flying save from the excellent, if beleaguered, visiting keeper. From the resulting corner, there was pandemonium in the visitors box as several Swans players tried to force the ball home after both Robinson and Pratley had delivered terrific dinked balls into the box. Another flowing move almost put Pratley in on 44 minutes, before yet another long range effort from Robinson brought another full stretch save from the keeper in the last minute - the rebound just evading Fallon. Probably the most complete half of football the Swans have produced all calendar year - we wondered what we could contrive to do to mess it up after the break!

Predictably, and understandably, the Swans found it hard to regain the same impetus after the break, particularly as Carlisle worked hard to close down Robinson - both he and Trundle now claiming a minimum of two markers each. The first serious effort of the second half came from the visitors on 55 minutes as they drive a free kick against our defensive wall. Then a minute later we burst into life as Pratley played an inch perfect through ball to Trundle; bearing down on the home goal, Lee was unable to dig out a shot as two defenders raced to cover him. But we were not long denied. A minute later Trundle raced to the touch line to retrieve a ball that appeared to be going out of play. Having done so, he ghosted infield towards the edge of the Carlisle penalty area, drawing three defenders, before slipping the ball across goal to the on-rushing Pratley, who made no mistake with his low drive into the corner, the keeper once again hopelessly exposed.

The Swans were back in the groove again, and the fifth came shortly afterwards. Pratley sent Trundle away down the right side - he cut inside but seemed to stumble as he shot. Luckily, the ball found its way to Fallon who turned and scuffed a shot into the corner. Thereafter it was just a case of how many we would score. Pratley, Britton and Trundle produced a fine move on 70 minutes to set up Craney, but he scuffed his shot. And on 81 minutes Trundle attempted a trade-mark audacious chip over Westwood, who was not decieved by the flight and saved easily. Credit to Carlisle that they kept battling. With striker Hawley very much in Austin's pocket, it was defender Chris Billy who had a couple of decent pots at goal, one saved by Gueret and another deflected for a corner. On 86 minutes a Carlisle effort was cleared off our goal line, and to be fair a consolation goal would have been deserved. But it was the Swans who nearly had the last laugh in the last minute, when Trundle passed inside to an unmarked Fallon whose 18 yard effort was straight at the keeper.

The final whistle brought an excellent and deserved ovation from the home fans who remained in the ground - but we were sorely disappointed that so many had flocked to the exists as much as ten minutes early. Hey Liberty-ites...is it really so important to get away from the ground? Don't you think your team deserves a clap from you?

Gueret - 8 Little to do but was highly competent when called upon.
Tate - 8 Solid and supported the attack well
Painter - 8 As above
Lawrence - 8 Solid as a rock at the back and dangerous from set pieces
Austin - 8.5 Took Hawley out of the game.
Britton - 8 An excellent and determined effort - swift and skillful
Robinson - 8.5 Simply brilliant for 65 minutes. His legs went in the
latter stages but heck - he had won us the game by then. Oh, and to
those who think he can't - his tackling back was tenacious and frequent.
Craney - 8 A real work-horse in the middle
Pratley- 9 As above, but with plenty of vision and creative skill to
boot. A complete midfield and captain's performance, for the full 90
minutes.
Trundle - 8 Unselfish these days, he seems to be playing the link man
role, and did so brilliantly today. Unlucky not to get his own goal, but
played a major part in the first and had two direct assists for the
fourth and fifth (if the latter a tad lucky). Also set up chances for
Pratley, Fallon and Craney which were not converted. Perhaps we are
seeing a better all round player now.
Fallon - 7 Two goals, well taken, and worked hard. He struggled though
against his marker and won little in the air.
Meslien - A competent late cameo.

So, if we can play like this, surely the division is there for the taking? But I seem to remember saying that a few times this season and last. Carlisle didn't look a bad side - in fact they looked par for the course for this division, and surely we are better than par? Perhaps this time we really can keep the momentum going, because today was a performance of determination, team-work and style which gave real hope for the future. Well done all concerned.

Swansea City 5 Carlisle United 0 - Nigel Gigg

A nice cold clear day on a pitch that looked remarkable considering the amount of rain we have had in the last week and less than 24 hours after the Ospreys / Calvisano game.

Izzy Iriekepen again failed to make the starting line up but Marcos Painter returned from injury. Surprisingly there were three defenders on the Swans bench.

Carlisle included Cardiff born Kevin Gall and last years Division Two player of the season Karl Hawley.

Side- Gueret, Tate, Lawrence, Austin, Painter, Britton, Craney, Pratley, Robinson, Fallon, Trundle. Subs - Oakes, Amankwaah, Iriekepen, Meslien, Akinfenwa.

Swans almost had a dream start in the first thirty seconds. Carlisle gave Leon Britton far too much room on the right and he was able to get a great near post cross into Rory Fallon. With a header looking much the better option Rory Fallon chose the bicycle kick which in fairness was well executed but easily saved by Carlisle keeper Keiren Westwood.

Swans were looking the more eager and even in the very early stages Swans seemed to be winning every midfield battle.

It came as no surprise when Swans took the lead on 7 minutes. Carlisle failed to deal with a Lee Trundle corner and Dennis Lawrence again found himself in just the right place to thump the ball high into the net from just 4 yards out. Lawrence is becoming quite prolific in front of goal compared to the very poor return we have had from centre halves in front of goal in recent years.

Swans were looking very much on top and Pratley and Craney were working in partnership, snapping at the opposition's heals and helping Swans to dominate in midfield.

On 14 minutes an excellent piece of work by Darren Pratley saw him win a throw in near the corner flag. Pratley's quick throw caught Carlisle napping and Ian Craney put over an excellent near post cross. This time Rory Fallon stole a yard on his marker and his low volley from 6 yards flew past Westwood to put Swans 2-0 up.

Swans looked as if they could run Carlisle ragged and Andy Robinson and Ian Craney went close to putting Swans further ahead. Before the half hour Swans made it 3-0. Andy Robinson picked up the ball in his own half. There were two Swans players either side of him all making excellent runs. This gave Robbo the time he would have craved on the ball as Carlisle defenders criss-crossed one another looking to cut out danger. Robbo got within about 25 yards of goal and fired a superb right foot shot high into the roof of the net.

Carlisle finally got forward and almost pulled a goal back on 33 minutes. Kevin Gall found himself one on one with Marcos Painter. Gall cleverly bent a shot around Painter and caught Willy off his line. Willy was grateful to the crossbar saving his blushes.

Before half time normal service resumed and Swans dominated again with Andy Robinson going closest to goal.

Carlisle started the second half showing much more commitment but the three goal deficit looked well beyond them. Swans were trying some party tricks and Lee Trundle in particular was guilty of over elaborating too often. However it was Trunds that created the 4th Swans goal. He collected a long ball forward wide on the left. With two defenders on him and little support he held the ball expertly before squaring the ball across the 18 yard line perfectly for Darren Pratley to place the ball into the corner of the Carlisle net.

Just three minutes later and it was 5-0. Carlisle's defence was again at sixes and sevens and Rory Fallon missed an easy chance for his second goal. The ball fell to Lee Trundle who also fluffed a clear chance and incredibly the ball fell back to Rory Fallon who mishit his shot and saw it bounce past Westwood.

The rest of the game was relatively poor quality but Swans could be forgiven after a superb hour of attacking football in which each of the midfield quartet shone.
Ratings-

Gueret 6 - Little to do.

Tate 8- Pick of the defence and supported Leon really well down the right.
Lawrence 7 - Perversely for a guy 6'8'', looked better on the ground again.
Austin 7 - Got away with a couple of tugs. Gave not an inch.
Painter 7 - Looked quality again. He will be missed.

Britton 9 - Absolutely superb.
Pratley 9 - Captain fantastic.
Craney 8 - Did some excellent spadework in the heart of midfield.
Robinson 8 - Excellent game capped with a wonder goal.

Fallon 7 - Hard to be critical when he scored twice, but reluctant to gamble and put his head in where it hurts.
Trundle 7 - Some great touches but much quieter than you would expect and the midfield quartet took the plaudits.