Swansea City v Gillingham
A freezing cold night with pre match temperatures below zero. However, the under soil heating meant the surface was perfect but it seems the temperatures did effect the crowd with the Swans first sub 10,000 gate at the Liberty for a League game.
Darren Pratley was the only one of the injured to make a recovery for this game and he took his place on the bench alongside new signing Pavel Abbott.
Side- Gueret, Duffy, Lawrence, Austin, Williams, Britton, Tate, Craney, Butler, Akinfenwa, Trundle. Subs- Howard, Iriekepen, Pratley, Robinson, Abbott.
There was a surreal atmosphere early on with the sparse crowd barely raising a cheer, perhaps conserving their energy to keep out the bitter cold. Bayo Akinfenwa did lift spirits in the early minutes with nice control on his chest but he fired 6 feet over the bar.
Bayo made amends on 6 minutes firing Swans into the lead. Lee Trundle was the creator with an exquisite cross from the right wing and Bayo rose high to thunder a header high into the corner of the net to give Romain Larrieu no chance in the Gillingham goal.
Lee Trundle had a chance to put Swans 2-0 with a rare header but from a narrow angle he headed into the side netting.
Swans were looking much the better side but were tending to over elaborate and Lee Trundle in particular was guilty of trying too many tricks even at this early stage.
Gillingham were spirited but looked a Division or so below Swansea in class. They did, however, almost score twice within a minute with Swans defence falling asleep both times, firstly from a corner and then a free kick. On both occasions the defence were routed to the spot and both Andrew Crofts and then Gary Mulligan will have felt they really should have scored.
On 42 minutes referee Mr Penton hobbled off to be replaced by his assistant Mr Swabey.
Swans arrived at half time 1-0 up but the gulf in class was far greater than the gulf in the scoreline and Kenny Jackett would no doubt be urging his players to kill the game off early into the second half.
Swans had their best move of the game early into the second half. Leon Britton won possession in his own half, he passed to Bayo Akinfenwa who cleverly stepped over the ball to put Ian Craney away. Craney found Butler who in turn found Tom Williams on the overlap. Williams's excellent cross beat everyone and went inches wide of the far post.
Tom Williams then provided an excellent cross for Bayo Akinfenwa. With the goal at his mercy and only 8 yards out Bayo struck his half volley straight into the arms of Larrieu when a yard either side of him and a goal would have been a certainty.
Despite dominating the opening of the second half, again the defence fell asleep allowing Gary Mulligan a free header. Mulligan's header beat Willy but Gillingham were denied by the crossbar.
The danger signs were still there and Kenny Jackett's response was to switch to a 4-5-1 formation with Lee Trundle making way for Andy Robinson. The switch meant the midfield had to get forward and Ian Craney tested Larrieu with a fine left foot shot.
Darren Pratley replaced Leon Britton as Kenny Jackett looked to shore up his midfield.
On 71 minutes Kenny Jackett's tactics were vindicated. Andy Robinson played a ball from midfield up to Bayo who although surrounded by defenders held the ball up well. Bayo picked out Robinson's forward run perfectly laying the ball into Robbo's path as he burst into the area leaving the Gillingham back line in his wake. Robbo fired his left foot shot into the corner of the net to kill the game off.
Bayo had the chance to score his second 7 minutes from time but after breaking the off side trap fired his shot wide.
With four minutes to go Bayo Akinfenwa was replaced by new signing Pavel Abbott and Bayo received a standing ovation from the small crowd.
Abbott had a chance to score a debut goal after just two minutes on the pitch but the excellent Larrieu smothered his shot.
The Swans goal had a couple of further scares but survived intact and Swans reclaim the position in the top six of League Division One.
Ratings-
Gueret 7 - Another good display.
Duffy 6 - A few glimpses of his quality but may struggle to keep his place when we return to something like full strength.
Lawrence 6 - Failed to command at the back.
Austin 7 - Caught out once of twice but a few great challenges.
Williams 6 - Could have been christened 'Enigma' - Highlighted in the second half when to gives the ball away in midfield needlessly and puts up 15 seconds later to clear off the line.
Britton 6 - Not his best game.
Tate 6 - Again not at his best
Craney 7 - All action and it surely can't be long before he gets his first goal for the Swans.
Butler 7 - Caused Gillingham problems all night.
Akinfenwa8 - One goal, one assist and never stopped causing problems.
Trundle 6 - Poor game for Trunds despite setting up the first goal.
Robinson 7 - Took his goal really well
Pratley 7 - Great to have him back.
Abbott 7 - Looks a good acquisition on this cameo.
