Match Report

Match Pictures Andrew Thomas

When the fixture list came out in January, the one game everyone looked for was Leeds at the Liberty and after a six month wait the day had arrived. Our defeat at Leeds was by all accounts amongst our worst performance of the season, which only offered greater incentive for today’s game.  

Jason Scotland replaced Guillem Bauza in the starting line up being the only change.  

The atmosphere pre match was absolutely electric with Leeds comfortably being the noisiest away support we have seen at the Liberty, however, when the home fans found their voice the travelling support was soon drowned out.  

Side- De Vries, Rangel, Monk, Lawrence, Painter, Anderson, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Robinson, Scotland. Subs- Tate, Orlandi, Butler, Bauza, Duffy.  

Several Swans players looked nervous at the start with a few hurried clearances and wayward passes. Leeds set their stall out early, harrying any Swans player in possession. They also showed their attacking intent with three up front from the outset.  

It was Leeds that provided the first shot on goal with Jonathon Howson trying his luck from distance. Dorus fumbled his effort but recovered well and calmed the nerves of every Swans fan. Jason Scotland then had a shot after turning well in the box but Casper Askergen in the Leeds goal saved easily. 

On 7 minutes Alan Thompson fouled Andy Robinson just outside the box. Robbo may well have given up the job of penalty taker but nobody was taking the ball off him for a free kick just 5 yards outside the area. Robbo lifted the ball over the ball and left Askergen clutching midair as the ball nestled in the back of the net with 17,000 or so Swans fans going absolutely bananas.  

One up against the promotion favourites should have been the time to give nothing away for five or ten minutes and retain possession. Instead just three minutes after taking the lead Dennis Lawrence tried a back pass when he should really have launched the ball toward the back of the East Stand. His back pass was never going to reach Dorus de Vries and Jermaine Beckford darted in to intercept and then cleverly lift the ball over Dorus and into the net to give the Leeds fans behind the goal their chance to celebrate.  

With so much at stake few could have predicted such an open game with both teams committed to attack. Leeds had two defenders booked early on by referee Mr Marriner and both continued to moan constantly at both the referee and linesman at just about every decision made.  

On 21 minutes Swans scored a rare goal from a corner. Paul Anderson’s cross was met perfectly by Garry Monk running in to the front post and totally unmarked. Monk’s bullet header flew into the net with Askergen getting a hand to it but never close to keeping it out.

The two Leeds defenders booked early were pulled aside by Mr Marriner and lectured for continuing to moan constantly about decisions and either could and probably should have had a second yellow card.  

After taking the lead this time Swans seemed determined not to concede quickly again.  

On 26 minutes Jason Scotland missed a great opportunity to extend the lead. Andy Robinson fired in low and hard and Askergen spilt the effort at the feet of the Swans striker. With Askergen diving to grab the ball Scotland’s hurried effort ballooned over the bar.  

Garry Monk had another chance to score from a corner. With no Leeds defender attempting to head clear, the ball hit Garry Monk who had obviously not expected the ball to reach him. The ball rolled toward the goal line but no Swans player was on hand to tap it in.  

On 36 minutes the game took a dramatic turn and once more Ferrie Bodde took the role of pantomime villain. Going into a challenge with Jonathon Howson, who decided to slide in, Bodde saw the opportunity to put one foot meekly toward the ball and bring the other stud first onto the leg of Howson. From my angle it was at absolutely shocking challenge and I had no doubt a red card was fair. Bodde will miss five games I understand but Howson who was on the receiving end could miss many more after being stretchered off.  

Bodde deserved red against Cheltenham and his luck ran out today when Mr Marriner showed him red.  

The remainder of the half despite being down to ten men was dominated by the Swans and Paul Anderson and Leon Britton both had decent chances.

In the 5^th and final minute of injury time a hopeful ball down the channel by Angel Rangel was chased down by Jason Scotland. He was a clear second favourite to get to the ball but left Leeds centre half Matthew Heath for dead. With  Rui Marques the second centre half closing him down Scotland held him off with terrific strength and coolly dispatched his shot into the corner of the net.  

So Swans had a two goal cushion going in at half time but everybody knew Leeds would be determined to get something out of this game.  

In the first minute of the second half, Garry Monk was harshly adjudged to have fouled Tresor Kandol ten yards outside the box. With one of the best dead ball specialist in British football in Alan Thompson over the free kick, every Swans fan was once more holding their breath. Thompson’s free kick was perfection and Leeds were well and truly back in the game at 3-2.  

Just one minute later and again Garry Monk was penalised 10 yards outside the box. Again Thompson lined up the free kick and again every Swans held their breath. Thompson’s kick was to the opposite corner and De Vries was rooted to the spot as the ball struck the post and rebounded to safety.

Swans battled back from the poor start to the half and the centre half partnership of Monk and Lawrence grew in confidence and were well supported by the full backs.

Swans attacks were infrequent but the midfield and Jason Scotland were doing a good job in retaining possession.

On 67 minutes Leeds brought on Tore Andre Flo for midfielder Ian Westlake. They now had four strikers but this tactic seemed to be their undoing as they struggled to win possession in midfield and Swans started to get far more possession than they could have expected.

Butler and Bauza replaced Robinson and Scotland as Roberto Martinez looked to protect tiring legs.

Leeds were beginning to leave gaps at the back and Tom Butler had a half chance to kill the game off.

Leeds threat on the Swans goal seemed to be receding as time ticked by and Roberto Martinez tightened things up for the last ten minutes by replacing Paul Anderson with Alan Tate with Tatey taking up residence just in front of the Monk and Lawrence and playing the role of ‘The Destroyer’.

Mr Marriner, who seemed to give few 50/50 decisions the way of the Swans redeemed himself by only playing three minutes injury time and Swans played this time out with confidence.

So Swans open up a five point gap at the top on a super day with Forest and Carlisle on the end of 3-0 thumpings. Other than a certain Dutch midfielder, every Swans player could feel proud of themselves today.

Ratings-

De Vries 6 – Handling not too assured today.  

Rangel 8 -  Great all round game.
Monk 9 – Absolutely Captain Fantastic.
Lawrence 7 – A few mistakes but showed terrific character.
Painter 7 – Another solid game.  

Anderson 7 – Didn’t see anything like as much of the ball as he has in recent games.
Britton 8 – Here, there and everywhere.
Bodde 4 – Must be close to being in the Last Chance saloon. Will he ever learn?
Pratley 9 – Another brilliant display.
Robinson 8 – Another great goal and a classy display.  

Scotland 8 – Showed terrific speed, strength and coolness for his goal.

Subs

Bauza 7- Held the ball up well.
Butler 7- As above.
Tate 7 – Help out and Leeds hardly got a shot in after he came on.      

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Swansea: De Vries, Rangel, Lawrence, Monk, Painter, Anderson (Tate 84), Britton, Pratley, Robinson (Butler 74), Bodde, Scotland (Bauza 69). Subs Not Used: Orlandi, Duffy.

Sent Off: Bodde (38).

Booked: Monk, Rangel.

Goals: Robinson 9, Monk 23, Scotland 45.

Leeds: Ankergren, Richardson, Marques, Heath, Howson (Prutton 40), Hughes, Thompson, Westlake (Flo 68), Carole (Weston 77), Kandol, Beckford. Subs Not Used: Huntington, Kishishev.

Booked: Hughes, Heath, Westlake.

Goals: Beckford 12, Thompson 46.

Att: 19,010

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

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