Match Report

Swansea City  0-1  Huddersfield Town

With all our rivals playing tomorrow, Swans had a chance to return to the top of the table tonight. A win by two clear goals would be sufficient but goals have been hard to come by at the Liberty of late.  

Huddersfield have had a stop start season to date and came into tonight’s game lying 14^th. They included a number of war-horses in Andy Booth, Frank Sinclair and Ronnie Wallwork.  

Roberto Martinez showed a great deal of loyalty to the players who have played the biggest part in Swans impressive unbeaten run and kept faith with Tom Butler, Dennis Lawrence and Daryl Duffy with Andy Robinson, Alan Tate and  Guillem Bauza all no doubt disappointed not to start.  

Side- De Vries, Rangel, Lawrence, Monk, Austin, Anderson, Pratley, Bodde, Butler, Scotland, Duffy.

Subs- Tate, Painter, Robinson, Britton, Bauza.  

The game got off to a slow start with both defences having the upper hand early on. Huddersfield looked to pack their defence but the front line of Danny Cadamarteri and Andy Booth were sure to provide a threat 

Daryl Duffy had a couple of half chances, turning a Paul Anderson cross just over the bar and having a powerful shot turned away by a great save from Huddersfield keeper Matt Glennon after Duffy had played a terrific one two with Jason Scotland.  

Swans did get some control of the game but were again not getting shots on goal. Huddersfield were working hard and were getting men behind the ball. It was Huddersfield that almost grabbed the lead on 29 minutes when Andy Booth met a Danny Schofield corner with a bullet like header that Dorus De Vries somehow managed to keep out with his feet.  

There was one further shot by Tom Butler that dipped late and only just went over the bar but Swans first half shots on target was a miserly one, and shots of any sort of note in total a derisory three.  

Swans dominated the early minutes of the second half but again lacked any sort of cutting edge and it was Huddersfield that grabbed the lead on 52 minutes. Swans were ripped apart with a well-worked move down the Huddersfield left and the eventual cross was fired goalward by Andy Holdsworth. Dorus de Vries pulled off a terrific save but the rebound fell perfectly for Malvin Kamara who responded quickest and had the easiest of tap ins to put the visitors ahead.  

Tom Butler made way for Andy Robinson and Swans looked for a way back into the game.

Jason Scotland went close with a left foot shot that beat the keeper but rolled agonisingly past the far post. Jason Scotland and Darren Pratley then combined well to put Daryl Duffy through but the angle was tight and Glennon easily smothered his shot.  

Leon Britton replaced Kevin Austin as Swans went to a 3-5-2 formation.  

Paul Anderson and Joe Skarz both received lengthy treatment after a clash of heads but both were able to continue.  

Despite now dominating possession Swans were unable to get into top gear and failed to create many clear chances.  

With 8 minutes left Guillem Bauza replaced Daryl Duffy.  Bauza went close with a left foot shot that looked to be creeping in at the far post only for Glennon’s outstretched hand to claw the ball away.  

With a first defeat in 11 games looking assured, Garry Monk headed home from a corner only for referee Mr Hill to blow up for some indiscretion unseen by most.  

It seemed tonight just wasn’t going to be our night.

Ratings –

De Vries 8 – Excellent game.

Rangel 6 – A long way off his best in attack and defence.

Lawrence 7- His best game for some while.

Monk 7 – Solid game from our captain and denied a rare goal.

Austin 6 – Defended OK but offers next to nothing going forward.

Anderson 7 – His blistering pace caused  problems.

Bodde 6 – Not the influence on game that he should have been.

Pratley 7 – Prompted most of our attacks but guilty of overcooking things again.

Butler 5 – Not given an inch by the experienced Sinclair.

Duffy 6 – Things just not going his way at the moment and not trying the snap shots that he was hitting last year.

Scotland 5 – Poor game and surprisingly out muscled several times tonight.

Subs  -

Robinson 6- Never really got into it.

Britton 6 – As above.

Bauza 6 – As above.

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