Match Report

More match pictures from Andrew Thomas

5 fantastic goals, and the away terrace in fine voice - apart from when the Rugby score came in!

The start was electric, and Butler scored possibly the goal of the season so far. Pulled in from the left touchline onto his right foot, at the edge of the box, and rifled in an unstoppable shot in to the top far corner of the net - keeper had no chance.

Then the game settled down - and Orient, to be fair, had the better of the possession, as we were over-run centrally.

Thornton was their catalyst, and while Bodde showed touches of occasional class, it was sporadic, and he looked scared of getting 'involved' - a legacy of his sending off?

Orient played a number of balls from wide positions, especially their right, which while our defence dealt with adequately, the fact the Orient strikers were poor was more of a reason why they didn't score.

We were still a threat on their flanks however, Butler, Angel and Anderson in particular causing unease in the home defence.

Half-time 1-0

Second half started much like the first. As the fans were taking their seats from the half-time cup of Bovril, Pratley unleashed a shot from 35 yards, which beat Nelson all-ends-up.


The Swans then took control, as the O's were shell-shocked.

5 minutes later, man-of-the-match, Butler raced away down the left wing, to hit a crisp shot past the keeper's near post, and the away end became delirious.

The Swans fans were out-singing the home crowd, and the players were outplaying their counterparts.

Anderson broke in from the right hand side of the box, to hit another great finish across the home keeper for number four, and the Jacks chanted for more.

But the O's showed why they have been at the top of the tree all season. Ling brought on 3 new faces, and the Swans were under much more pressure for the last 3rd of the game.

Playmaker Thornton when further up the park, and substitute Demetriou was an annoying little ferret - plenty of pace, and guile, and quite a decent shot in him. Painter's knackers will testify to that, as he caught a beaut in the family jewels that affected him for a good 10 mins after treatment.



Still, the defence weathered the storm, and looked dangerous on the break, with La Liga 2006/7's 2nd best looking player, Orlandi, showed he has as much class as Rangel, with some intelligent running, passing and movement off the ball, nearly setting Painter up for No.5

Instead Feeney had that pleasure of satisfying the Jack chants, galloping down the left, a la Butler, and hitting a shot across the Nelson, nestling in the far corner of the net.

To be fair, whilst Feeney's not great in the air, lacks pace, and seems a little static at times, he worked his socks off all afternoon, and deserved the goal.

Marks out of 10:

De Vries - 8 - coupled of good block when we needed them, and cuaght the crosses he needed to
Rangel - 8 - this boy is playing well below his class - intelligent going forward, athletic defending
Painter - 6 - lacking somethin at the moment - maybe some help from the wing, but too many crosses were allowed into out box first half.
Monk - 7 - no nonsense defending. Anything in the box dealt with fairly comfortably
Lawrence - 7 - see Monk
Anderson - 7 - lacks a little composure at time, but his pace and eye for goal compensates
Butler - 9 - always available to receive, willing to attack on both feet, putting dangerous crosses in, and 2 super finishes
Bodde - 6- seemed a little scared to out his foot in, caught out of position a few times, but some very neat touches
Pratley - 7 - hopefully the goal will give the boy the confidence he needs. Was a bit over-run first half, but gave the ball away only once in the 2nd
Scotland - 6 - seems to lack a bit of mobility. Didnt win much in the air, lacked movement, but was strong in possession.
Feeney - 6 - like Scotland, failed to gamble as the balls were crosses in from both flanks, and lacks pace, but good finish for No.5

Subs:
Orlandi - 7 - this boy, like Rangel, looks class. Good movement, intelligent passing and use of the ball, and took up great positions in space.
Allen, Oleary - to little time to judge, but neither did anything wrong.
 

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Leyton Orient: Nelson, Purches, Daniels, Thelwell, Mkandawire, Melligan (Demetriou 58), Chambers, Gray (Ibehre 58), Thornton, Boyd, Palmer (Corden 63). Subs Not Used: Morris, Oji.

Swansea: De Vries, Bodde, Pratley (O'Leary 88), Scotland (Orlandi 77), Painter, Lawrence, Monk, Rangel, Anderson, Butler (Allen 84), Feeney. Subs Not Used: Knight, Austin.

Booked: Feeney, Pratley, Painter.

Goals: Butler 4, Pratley 46, Butler 51, Anderson 57, Feeney 90.

Att: 5,586

Ref: Trevor Kettle (Rutland).

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