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Port Talbot 1 Swansea City 1 - Report and Pictures Dai Smith
Another large crowd of around 2,000 saw the Swans have a useful run out against a committed Port Talbot side.
Roberto Martinez fielded 3 sets of players and made wholesale changes on 30 and 60 minutes and left me needing more lead in my pencil. The first 30 minute period saw the Swans line up
Willy Gueret
Painter Monk Lawrence Rangel
O'Leary Craney Bodde MacDonnald
Thiam Robinson
Swans created numerous chances in this first period, the most notable of which was after a neat passing move, Craney latched onto the pass on the edge of the area and hit a powerful shot - only to be denied his first Swansea goal by a wonderful Pennock save. The Swans were seeing plenty of the ball, but the score stayed blank with the new trialist failing to impress being coupled with some wasteful finishing.
The 30 minute mark brought the first round of substitutions with Pratley being moved up front to partner the trialist and wholesale changes over the rest of the park
Willy Gueret
Price Austin Lawrence Graves
Morgan Evans Craney MacDonnald
Thiam Pratley
We seemed to have little cohesion in this 30 minute period of the game and conceded a goal just after half time. It was after a bit of a goalmouth scramble and bundled over the line from close range. The Swans also created a number of chances. Notable efforts were a MacDonnald lob over the keeper which hit the bar and a Pratley effort which went just over the top.
The final 30 minutes were probably the best from a Swans point of view and we lined up with 3 at the back.
Willy Gueret
Watt Lawrence Graves
Britton Morgan Allon Collins MacDonnald
Bussy Anderson
Anderson and Bussy led the line up front and looked quite lively, Matty Collins hit the bar from a free kick ... Bussy got bundled over in the area and was denied by the referee .... and just when it looked as though we were about to suffer the first defeat of the pre-season, a goal came from a most unlikely source.
Steve Watt picked up the ball around the half way line and dribbled forward 20 or so yards. Then unleashed a 30 drive into the corner of the net from the left hand side. The few minutes remaining of the match saw the Swans press for a winner, unfortunately we were beaten by the clock
A few player Comments
Gueret - Not quite as assured tonight, back to his normal self?.
Rangel - Had a better look at Angel tonight, he looks a great buy (early days yet I know) but he has a turn of pace, neat passing and on tonights evidence a decent cross
Collins - Like the look of Collins also, I think this lad will be pushing for a first team starting spot
Robinson - Much better tonight. Looked hungry for the ball (cynics might say the 30 minute format suits him ;-) )
Bussy - Good movement, quite quick, first touch let him down a couple of time tonight though.
Anderson - Sheeesh .... That lad is quick.
Other things to note, DeVries tweaked his back when training with Gueret before the game. Martinez saw little point in risking him. Lots of ex-swans on show this evening. Gareth Philips, DeVulght, Mathew Rees, Paul Ried on the side lines. And not forgetting an excellent performance from Swans goalkeeping coach, Tony Pennock in goals.
And Finally....... No sign of Lord Lee Trundle tonight. Players were all sticking to a pulled hamstring story. I'll let you all make your own minds up...... Now then, where did I put my clogs ;-)
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