Match report

The fantastic cup win at Sheffield United has had some of the gloss knocked off it following the bizarre late penalty and the resultant loss of two points at Bradford City and Monday's exit at the hands of Port Talbot from the FAW Cup.



Since then Rory Fallon has left for Championship side Plymouth leaving a depleted squad looking even more threadbare.

Richard Duffy made his first home appearance since signing on loan from Portsmouth, but Swans were again without virtually a whole team through injury and Kris O'Leary's suspension. With Andy Oakes one of the casualties, Swans have loaned young keeper Mark Howard from Cardiff and he took his place on the bench. The bench also again featured youth players Joe Allen and Chris Jones but with Kenny Jackett's obvious reluctance to bring on his youngsters, his options would be strictly limited.





Side- Gueret, Duffy, Lawrence, Austin, Williams, Britton, Tate, Craney, Butler, Akinfenwa, Trundle. Subs- Howard, Iriekepen, Robinson, Allen, Jones.

Within 30 seconds of the kick off Bayo Akinfenwa had a half chance that he failed to make the most of with a scuffed shot.

Swans had come out of the traps well and created a great opening on 3 minutes when excellent play between Leon Britton and Ian Craney created a chance for Lee Trundle. His shot with his right foot was blocked by the feet of Forest keeper Paul Smith at the expense of a corner.

After dominating the early minutes the Swans midfield let Nathan Tyson run through their heart and only a last ditch tackle from Kevin Austin prevented Tyson's strike on goal.



Swans continued to have the better of things and had a great chance to take the lead on 22 minutes. After great control by Leon Britton, his inch perfect cross was headed straight into the keepers arms from just 8 yards out by Bayo Akinfenwa.

Lee Trundle had another chance after springing the Forest off side trap but his attempted chip over the keeper sailed over the bar.

Ian Craney was next to try his luck with a right foot drive from outside of the box, but his shot flashed past the post.

Junior Agogo had a great chance for Forest but was denied by a great save from Willy Gueret stealing the ball of the toe of the Forest striker. Swans then went straight down the other end and Leon Britton did everything right creating space to get his shot in but, as so often with Leon, the shot lacked pace and direction and Smith was able to save.



Forest had one more chance in the first half when Southall tried to back heel the ball into an empty net but thankfully he failed to connect. Swans last effort in a pulsating first half was a shot from Craney that Smith dived full length to save.

Swans had just about shaded a first half that could quite have produced 4 or 5 goals.

The second half started in much the same vein as the first, Swans just about having the better of things but both teams creating plenty of chances. Grant Holt had the best of the chances but stretching for the ball fired well over from just 4 yards out to the delight of the East Stand who were giving the big Forest striker a hard time.



Tommy Butler had a shot from 25 yards that was straight into the body of Smith. The Forest keeper who was outstanding for the rest of the afternoon chose to punch a ball that he really should have caught with ease and his punch was poor with the ball flying over the bar.

Forest had made a positional change at half time with Grant Holt dropping back to wide left and Nathan Tyson replacing him up front. The change caused the Swans problems with Tyson's extra pace and Grant Holt also seemed more effective on the left and was causing Richard Duffy problems.

Kenny Jackett made the one obvious chance he had at his disposal bringing on Andy Robinson for Tom Butler on 66 minutes. Forest brought on Jack Lester for Junior Agogo shortly after.

Forest had started to get the upper hand as the game went on and Nathan Tyson was only denied a goal by a spectacular leap from Willy Gueret to claim the ball.



Despite Forest looking the better side now it was Swans that came closest to breaking the deadlock when Richard Duffy for once got well forward and his pinpoint cross was met by Bayo Akinfenwa who looked to have the goal at his mercy. Bayo could not be blamed for not scoring as only a full length diving save from Smith denied him.



The game ended without the goals and Colin Calderwood would have been the happier of the two Managers with the result, but there were plenty of positives for Kenny Jackett to take out of the game.

Ratings -

Gueret 8 - Excellent game with a couple of great saves.

Duffy 6 - Didn't get forward much but sure to improve with a few more games.
Lawrence 7 - Did well against quality strikers.
Austin 9 - An absolute brick again.
Williams 6 - Did OK but some of his crosses were of poor quality.

Britton 7 - Usual 100% effort.
Craney 8 - Excellent first half, not quite so effective second half.
Tate 6 - Defended well in front of the back four but his distribution wasn't at it's best today.
Butler 6 - Some great touches but not enough influence on the game.

Akinfenwa 8 - The only thing Bayo didn't do well was finish.
Trundle 7 - Some great touches but chances didn't come his way.

Robinson 6- Very little impact.