Match report

In his post match interview on Radio Wales Kenny Jackett explained that Leon Knight had been left out of the 16 because he wanted to try some different combinations. Dropping your top scorer from the entire squad just to try something different? Pull the other one Kenny – either you are bluffing or mad (answers on a postcard).

So with Knight at home trying to figure out the boss’s strategy (or maybe calling his agent), it was a Trundle / Fallon combination that led the line against our recent cannon-fodder team of Chesterfield today, at a sunny and warm Saltergate. The midfield was pretty much as expected – Robinson on the left, Britton on the right (both eager to narrow the playing surface to maximum effect) with the Way/Pratley combo in the centre. At the back, it was a surprising centre half combination of Austin and Iriekpen, with Lawrence warming the bench (presumably suffering from his “European Championship” exertions), with Tate and Williams at full back, and Willy retaining his place in goal.

The first half was often scrappy and disjointed, but what good football there was came from the Swans, who periodically clicked into and efficient unit. The deadlock was broken after only four minutes. Williams played the ball to Trundle on the edge of his area; he cleverly eluded two markers before clipping a cross to the far post. The unmarked Britton met it at pace and lashed it on the volley into the roof of the net. An excellent start and a fine goal. On 10 minutes we nearly extended the lead when Way played the ball to Robinson, who then squared for Trundle, who extended the home keeper with a curling shot.

Chesterfield were all hustle and bustle and this prevented us from settling, but created little for themselves - a couple of weak efforts from Kevan Hurst the best they could muster. On the half-hour, winger Hall cut into a dangerous position on our left, but was thwarted by a well-timed challenge from Austin. A minute later we thought we had doubled out lead, when Britton rounded off an excellent flowing move, involving Fallon, by striking an excellent shot against angle of post and bar. Fallon appeared to turn in the rebound but the goal was denied for an apparent offside. But we were not long denied. On 36 minutes a corner was flicked on by Way and met in the six yard box by Trundle who bundled the ball home – a neatly worked set piece resulting in a goal….what next!

This barely brought a response from the home side, although Willy was forced to scramble away a low effort from Hurst, and there was time for Robbo to be booked for a rash tackle. When the half time whistle blew we seemed totally in control and had barely had a scare. So what was it that the respective managers said at half time, as Chesterfield came out looking eager and determined, whilst we began the second period like a bunch of zombies on dope.

It was this lacklustre start to the second half that gifted the home side a lifeline. Fist Tate was caught in possession whilst trying to shepherd the ball for a goal kick. Then the ball pinged around several Chesterfield players whilst our defence looked on, before Paul Hall found himself with the ball at his feet 20 yards from goal. He was allowed to lash the ball into the corner with no response from any of our players including Gueret who was rooted to the spot. Now I can accept that players lose concentration from time to time, but why does it KEEP happening in the 15 minutes after half time. This surely cannot be coincidence.

For a while we were fazed and suddenly Chesterfield began to look like a form team, finding space at will, and zipping crosses into our box. One of these, from Hall again, nearly crept in at the far post with other players close to touching it in. Fortunately, we managed to dig in and regain our composure, and with Britton, Fallon, Robinson and Trundle all willing outlet, we played ourselves back into some measure of control. There then followed two fine Swans moves, each of which could have extended the lead. First Trundle was played through on the right wing by Pratley – Trunds delivered a perfect floated cross to Robinson at the far post, who produced an excellent flying volley and was unlucky to see it parried away. Minutes later Trundle played a neat ball inside the full back to Robbo, who swung in an excellent cross to the far post. This was met at pace by Pratley who headed wide when he should have scored.

But again we were not long denied. Persistent running from Britton saw him wriggle past two players into the box, before being tripped. An excellently won penalty, which was despatched by trundle. Suddenly we were once again in control and comfortable, though the replacement of Way by Tudor-Jones did little to stiffen the midfield. On 75 minutes Trundle won a free kick on the edge of box which Robinson curled wide. Then, the home side broke upfield and won a cheap corner. This was a routine delivery, swung to the far post, but Rueben Hazell easily outjumped his marker and nodded into a net vacated inexplicably by Willy. Thanks guys – another gifted goal to the opposition.

The last 15 minutes was of course characterised by deep defending and an element of panic. Strangely, whilst in this mode, Jackett chose to reshuffle the defence. He pulled off Robinson, replacing him with Lawrence, shuffled Austin to left back and pushing Williams forward. But to give credit where it is due, this paid off – Lawrence was excellent in the air and nodded away virtually everything thrown into our box. Perhaps he may have averted the second goal had he been on from the start – but then again, maybe not.

The ref added on a bizarre five minutes, but we held out for what was ultimately a deserved win. But it could have been so much more comfortable.

Gueret – 6 Too flappy today.
Williams – 6 Too ready to hit the long one, but otherwise sound.
Tate – 6 On recent evidence, over-rated at full back.
Austin – 7 Generally solid
Iriekpen – 6 Should probably have picked up the runner for the second goal
Robinson – 7 Kept drifting inside, but still looked one of our more potent players
Britton – 8 Also kept drifting inside, but to devastating effect today with a goal and an assist.
Pratley – 7 Strong and determined throughout, and supported the attack well
Way – 6 As above, but less consistent
Fallon – 7 Worked tirelessly as a link man, without ever looking like being in a scoring position (but then, we have no crossers)
Trundle – 7 Two goals, an assist and a constant threat, whilst still not looking at his best (and I only gave him 7 – hey, better make that 8!)
Tudor-Jones 5 A long way off his best, but will need time of course
Lawrence – 7 Great cameo for 12 minutes or so.
Butler – only on for a minute or so in extra time.

So three points, everything better for KJ, no M42 sackings, and back within a whisker of the play off positions. This has to be called a good and deserved win, involving some cultured football at times. However, if we keep making these basic defensive errors and allowing the opposition back into games which we should have killed off, we will be nowhere near promotion at the end of the season. A better side would have punished us today. This division remains there for the taking. The question is: will we keep giving it away?
Chesterfield: Roche, Bailey, Hazell, Downes, Picken, Hall, Niven, Allott, Hurst (Jackson 45), Allison, Larkin (Smith 68).
Subs Not Used: Jordan, Kovacs, O'Hare.
Booked: Hall.
Goals: Hall 47, Hazell 77.

Swansea: Gueret, Tate, Iriekpen, Austin, Williams (Butler 90), Pratley, Robinson (Lawrence 82), Way (Oakes 72), Britton, Trundle, Fallon.
Subs Not Used: Tudur-Jones, MacDonald.
Booked: Robinson.
Goals: Britton 4, Trundle 35, 67 pen.
Att: 3,915

Match Comments - Richard of Warwick

Job done. But made more difficult than it needed to have been. Was hoping we would get a third before half time which would have meant we could have had a conga in the sunshine for the second half. But not to be, as they came out full of vim after half time and were gifted a goal really. The danger had gone when Robbo, I think gave it back to them and they scored.

The second was purely down to Willy who came for a corner but did not get within five yards of it so their header was into an empty net.

Anyway, good first goal by Leon after a great chip from Trunds. See, he can shoot. A nice cheap goal for Trunds with a toe poke from a scuffed corner. A bit of luck for once. And a stonewall penalty after good work by Fallon and good speed and touch from Britton.

Leon could so easily have had a second in the first half before the rebound was disallowed for offside. In the second Pratley will still be asking how he missed the target with that header and their keeper will still be asking how he saved a point blank blaster from Robbo.

On another day 1-4. Oh, that was another day :lol:

Just had a look at the table and seem that Northampton have not won a game at home yet so far this season.