Match Report

Roberto Martinez would have been relieved to see Dennis Lawrence back from injury but Garry Monk failed in his battle to make the starting line up.

It’s been a pretty dire last four or five days for sports fans in South West Wales. After last Friday’s home defeat to Millwalll, Swans boxer Enzo Maccarinelli lost his world Cruiserweight belt to David Haye and then bitter rivals Cardiff City’s unexpected victory over Premiership Middlesboro saw them get into the FA Cup semi finals for the first time in 81 years and it will no doubt be another 81 years before we stop hearing about it. Still tonight’s game was a chance to get the Swans back on track and lift the grey clouds.

Side – De Vries, Rangel, Lawrence, Tate, Austin, Butler, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Robinson, Scotland. Subs- Burgin, McDonald, Way, Bauza, Brandy.

In the early stages Swans were dominating possession for long periods but lacked any cutting edge and it was 12 minutes before the first shot on goal. After good work by Tom Butler and Angel Rangel on the right Jason Scotland received the ball just inside the area. He turned and fired in a low shot to the left of Tranmere’s Welsh International keeper Danny Coyne. Coyne got down well and just managed to get his outstretched hand to the ball and turn it away to safety.

Tranmere were finding it difficult to get into the game and relied on trying to frustrate Swansea with niggling tackles and time wasting. They did have a chance on 20 minutes after Dennis Lawrence brought down John Mullin just outside the area. Paul McLaren’s free kick was turned around the post by Dorus de Vries.

The game was of pretty low quality with Swans far from their best and Tranmere’s negative tactics not being penalised by referee Mr Singh.

Just before half time Ferrie Bodde almost scored but his low shot took a deflection and went just wide of the post. From the resultant corner a poor clearance ballooned into the air and fell for Alan Tate 12 yards out. He unleashed a ferocious volley that flew in off the underside of the bar.

It was a reward for Swans efforts and meant Tranmere would need to adopt a more open attacking style in the second half.

The second half never really opened up. Swans were far from their best again but still dominated possession for long periods. Andy Robinson went close with a terrific free kick but chances were few and far between.

Guillem Bauza replaced Jason Scotland with 20 minutes to go and Febian Brandy replaced Andy Robinson for the last 10 minutes. Bauza did go close with a left foot shot that Coyne couldn’t hang on. As time was going on Swans attacks became less frequent and they sat deeper and deeper. However, there still seemed little threat and the Swans were looking pretty solid.

With the game going into injury time Swans failed to clear the ball in midfield and Paul McLaren was able to get a cross in from the right wing. The ball was struck low and hard and Chris Greenacre got the all important touch, from what looked an offside position, to turn the ball in. It was more than Tranmere deserved for their approach and a very heavy price to pay for Swans not pushing hard enough for the all important second goal.

Ratings-

De Vries 7 – Little chance with the goal.

Rangel 6 – Still below his high standards. Lawrence 7 – The defence looked so much more comfortable with him back. Tate 8 – MOM performance even if watched through binoculars! Austin 6 – Tranmere’s attacks invariably came down the other flank so never really under pressure.

Butler 6 – Looked a little jaded. Britton 7 – A few superb passes. Bodde 7 – Good in defence and going forward. Pratley 6 – Seems to have lost his way in the last two games. Robinson 6- Looked to have the beating of his full back early on but never really made it tell.

Scotland 7 – Worked his socks off.

Subs-

Bauza 6 – One great shot but little else. Brandy 6 – Didn’t have much of an impact.

Swansea: De Vries, Austin, Tate, Lawrence, Rangel, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Robinson (Brandy 82), Butler, Scotland (Bauza 73).
Subs Not Used: MacDonald, Way, Burgin.

Booked: Lawrence.

Goals: Tate 43.

Tranmere: Coyne, Stockdale, Kay, Chorley, Taylor, Ahmed, McLaren, Sherriff, Mullin (Zola 87), Myrie-Williams (Greenacre 70), Moore.
Subs Not Used: Achterberg, Jones, Curran.

Booked: Taylor, Mullin.

Goals: Greenacre 90.

Att: 11,039

Ref: Jarnail Singh (Middlesex).

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