Match report

Swansea City v Leyton Orient

The Liberty Stadium crowd gave a tremendous welcome for the return of a favourite son in Roberto Martinez.

Roberto had a dream start to his managerial career in midweek with a 2-1 win at Rotherham. He would be hoping for another three points today as Swans look to show their play off credentials.

With injuries still taking a terrible toll, the back four looked somewhat cobbled together with Marcos Painter playing centre half alongside Izzy Iriekepen.



Side- Gueret, Tate, Iriekepen, Painter, Williams, Britton, Craney, O'Leary, Robinson, Abbott, Trundle. Subs- Oakes, Duffy, Chambers, Butler, Jones.

Swans started rather shakily and there seemed to be a few nerves. No doubt several players were trying too hard to impress their new gaffer.

Roberto Martinez for his part was showing plenty of passion from the sideline and was urging his back four to push out and his midfield to support the attacking players every time Swans won possession.

Despite Roberto's urgings the midfield was guilty of not supporting the front two and Swans attacks broke down all too easily.



On several occasions, Lee Trundle dropped deep or went wide and provided some excellent passes and crosses but his colleagues were admiring Trunds's work rather than making any sort of run.

On 12 minutes Orient gifted Swans a great chance to take the lead. An attempt to play the offside trap backfired and Ian Craney, Pawel Abbott and Lee Trundle sprung the trap and bore down on goal. Craney with his two colleagues central and appearing in better positions chose to shoot and dragged his effort wide from 15 yards. His lack of composure in front of goal seems to go from bad to worse.

Swans created another opportunity a few minutes later when Lee Trundle's corner was cleared back out to him on the wide right. Trunds controlled the ball on his chest and sent over a perfect cross for Izzy Iriekepen. Izzy was unchallenged but somehow managed to head over Glyn Garner's bar in the Orient goal.

On 20 minutes Graeme Jones, Roberto's new assistant joined him in the technical area. Jones had watched the first 20 minutes from the stands.



Leyton Orient caused the Swans defence a couple of problems with Tom Williams in particular getting pulled out of position a few times. However, Marcos Painter was settling well to an unfamiliar role and swept up well.

It was half and hour into the game before Glyn Garner was called into action turning an Andy Robinson free kick around the post.

The game threatened to boil over as half time approached with Lee Trundle and Tom Williams involved in off the ball squabbles.

On the stroke of half time Lee Trundle raced onto a defensive clearance from Marcos Painter and thrashed the ball home from 12 yards only to be denied by the linesman's flag for offside.

Roberto Martinez and Graeme Jones would have had plenty to say at half time about a disjointed performance and in particular they would have wanted more form the three attacking midfielders in Craney, Robinson and Britton.



Swans started the second half with much more spirit and attacking intent. Lee Trundle had a great chance after being put through by Leon Britton but for once his touch let him down and Garner was able to make a save.

Both Alan Tate and Tom Williams were now breaking forward more in support of midfield and Swans were now dominating the possession. However, the killer punch was lacking.

On 76 minutes Orient's Adam Chambers, who was booked in the first half, almost cut Kris O'Leary in half with a rash challenge and referee Mr Kettle had little option but show the Orient midfielder his second yellow and the red card.

Roberto Martinez showed his desire to win the game by taking Tom Williams off for Tom Butler and going to three at the back.



Within seconds of coming on Butler almost scored. He collected a superb 60 yard cross field ball from Lee Trundle, beat his man and almost caught Garner out with a shot to the near post.

From the resultant corner Pawel Abbott had a chance but his effort was cleared off the line by a defender.

Lee Trundle also went close with a turn and shot that seemed to hit Garner rather than him saving the shot.

When it seemed Swans would never get the winner, Kris O'Leary had a relatively easy chance with a free header from 10 yards out. However, he seemed to slightly mistime his jump and headed over the bar.

Chris Jones replaced Pawel Abbott for the last two minutes but Orient held firm to earn an undeserved point.

Overall Roberto Martinez would have been happy with the number of chances Swans created but disappointed in his teams inability to convert any of those chances.




Ratings -

Gueret 7- Virtually nothing to do. Will not be allowed to dwell on the ball in future judging by Roberto's urging to start attacks quickly from the back today.

Tate 6 - Very quiet first half but did get forward much more second half.
Iriekepen 7 - Missed a clear opportunity to score but defended well.
Painter 8 - Excellent game and happy to get stuck in.
Williams 6 - Looked composed and comfortable at times and hot headed and giving the ball away at other times.

Britton 6- Poor first half much better second half.
Craney 5- Missed the best chance of the day.
O'Leary 7 - Did all the donkey work in midfield.
Robinson 5- Ran down blind alleys all afternoon.

Abbott 6- Still to prove his worth.
Trundle 7 - Got through loads of work but another to miss a great chance.

Subs

Butler 7- Created plenty but always reluctant to get to the bye line.
Jones - Only on for two minutes.

Swansea: Gueret, O'Leary, Tate, Iriekpen, Williams (Butler 80), Britton, Painter, Robinson, Craney, Trundle, Abbott (Jones 90).

Subs Not Used: Oakes, Chambers, Duffy.

Booked: O'Leary, Trundle.

Leyton Orient: Garner, Lockwood, Mackie, Miller, Chambers, Tudor (Guttridge 79), Easton, Saah, Corden (Tann 79), Alexander, Jarvis (Ibehre 81).

Subs Not Used: Morris, Demetriou.

Sent Off: Chambers (77).

Booked: Mackie, Chambers, Corden, Lockwood, Alexander.

Att: 12,901

Ref: T Kettle (Berkshire).