Match Report

Match Report - Nigel Gigg, Pictures - Andrew Thomas

The first of a series of tough encounters either side of Christmas began today with the visit of Southend United. After their brief flirtation with the Championship they have had a decent start to the season and came into today’s game lying in sixth place.

There was one major surprise in the Swans line up with Jason Scotland nowhere to be seen and Warren Feeney replacing him in attack.

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

The game had a quiet opening and the Southend players were obviously under instruction to close down any Swans player as quickly as possible, even the defenders. Southend were working very hard early on and were not only closing down but getting as many men as possible behind the ball all the time.

Andy Robinson provided the game’s first shot at goal but his effort lacked pace and was easily saved by Southend keeper Steven Collis. 

Swans were doing their best to play football but Southend’s tactics were making it a somewhat turgid game but spirits were lifted on 17 minutes when the Swans took the lead.  

Paul Anderson and Rangel Angel linked brilliantly down the right and Rangel’s perfect cross was well met by Warren Feeney who directed his header wide of Collis.  

The goal forced Southend to open up but their physical style continued. On 28 minutes Warren Feeney was felled by a poor challenge, missed by referee Mr Beeby and play continued for a minute or so with Feeney motionless. When he received treatment it was obvious the injury was serious and he was stretchered off with his leg in a splint. There was talk of a possible broken ankle but apparently the Southend defenders studs had also left their imprint on  Feeney’s ankle.

Southend’s physical approach got it’s just reward on 34 minutes when Nicky Bailey received his second yellow card in two minutes for a poor challenge.  

Swans didn’t make the most of the extra man for the remainder of the first half. Southend though had shown very little and Dorus de Vries was untested.  

Southend made a double substitution at half time, but it was Swans that made the better start to the second half looking to retain possession and stretch Southend’s defence.  

Ferrie Bodde almost grabbed the second after intercepting the ball in midfield, skipping a couple of challenges before being denied by an excellent save from Collis.

Swans were to go 2-0 up just two minutes later however. A flowing move which began with Andy Robinson on the edge of his own box ended with Paul Anderson pulling the ball back for Angel Rangel to curl a left foot shot inside the far post. The goal was class from beginning to end and signalled the end of Southend’s resistance.  

From there on in it was totally one way traffic and a real mismatch. Swans got and probably should have scored a hatful. Andy Robinson earned a penalty when brought down in the box by substitute Franck Moussa. The decision for Mr Beeby was easy but how it was only a yellow card when Robinson was in a clear goal scoring position was a mystery. Robinson’s penalty was poor and saved by Collis. The ball rebounded into the path of Leon Britton and with him about to shot he was felled but Mr Beeby was not going to award a second spot kick.

The third goal arrived shortly after Robinson’s substitution by Orlandi. The Spaniard weaved some magic at the corner flag and found Marcos Painter, who picked out Tom Butler who headed home.  

Guillem Bauza, Leon Britton, Ferrie Bodde and Andy Robinson will all feel they should have ended up on the score sheet but this was a highly impressive display from the back, throughout midfield and up front.  

Ratings-  

De Vries 7 – Just for staying warm.  

Rangel 9 – Absolutely brilliant today. Man of the match.
Monk 8 – gave nothing away.
Lawrence 8 – It says so much for the big fellow how well he has come back after being on the wrong end of so much criticism from some quarters.
Painter 8 – Gives us so much more balance.  

Anderson 8 – Another master class of wing play.
Britton 8 – Super performance.
Bodde 9-  Would have run Angel close for MOM.
Pratley 8- Another great game.
Robinson 7- Constant threat but would be such a better player if only he’d not try to do everything himself.
Feeney 8 – Another goal in would prove to be his last game for us.

Subs-

Bauza 7 – A long way from the finished article but does get in some great positions.
Butler 7- Decent showing with a goal to his credit.
Orlandi 8 – Only on 10 minutes but a great cameo performance.

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