Match report

Swansea City 1 v 2 Scarborough

Report coutesy of John Burgum - Evening Post

Gareth Williams struck a superb late winner to dent Swansea's promotion prospects after former Cardiff player Gary Bennett had inspired Scarborough's second half revival. Having failed in their bid to bring in Bristol City striker David Seal, Swansea made just one change from the side beaten at Fulham in midweek, midfielder Shaun Chapple being recalled in place of Linton Brown who dropped down to the substitute's bench.

Scarborough - six places and nine points below Swansea - handed a debut to Tony Rigby, starting a loan spell from Bury. Swansea got off to the perfect start with a goal just after four minutes. It all started with a harmless looking Ampadu cross which defender Sutherland carelessly handled right in front of the referee. What possessed the Scarborough man to handle was a mystery as Thomas, the nearest player, was not pressing too closely.

PENNEY stepped up to take the spot kick and, in typical fashion, drove a powerful low shot wide of the diving Ironside to take his season's tally to 13, six of them being penalties.

Sutherland was cautioned and, within five minutes, his suicidal action had produced the first substitution of the match with Stuart Hicks coming on to replace him. In between Penney came close to adding to his penalty strike when he broke into the box from the right and clipped the outside of the post. Clearly stunned by the early set-back, Scarborough finally broke the stranglehold when they won their first corner. However, it offered little danger for the home defence as Swansea broke out quickly before Chapple was caught in possession by Rigby.

Swansea continued to look the more inventive going forward and, when an Ampadu-inspired attack broke down, the midfielder picked up the loose ball to release Hills who burst forward before driving wide from 20 yards. As Swansea kept up the momentum Coates and Brayson combined cleverly to set up Penney who had Ironside scrambling to cover his near post. Penney suffered from a crunching tackle in midfield as Swansea broke forward at pace once again but the skipper was quickly back on his feet to test a hard-pressed Boro defence.

Coates and Thomas carved out a chance and Penney looked set to exploit the opening only for Rockett to come across to whip the ball off his toes.

Little had been seen of the Scarborough attack despite one or two promising build-ups and a handful of corners. Their best scoring opportunity was offered by Freestone who mis-kicked a clearance which dropped invitingly at the feet of Brodie. The striker reacted quickly but the Swansea keeper made amends for his lapse, chesting down Brodie's lob much to the relief of his defenders.

Swansea continued to look the livelier going forward and when Brayson was brought into the action again, Chapple tapped the ball forward only to see Penney drive wide of the near post. Despite considerable Swansea pressure, Ironside had still to be forced into making a difficult save. He had his near post covered when Hills slipped Brodie's tackle and broke forward only to send his shot high over the bar.

Swansea went close again when Hills produced a superb cross but Thomas failed to connect. After Edwards had been cautioned for a foul on Brodie, Scarborough put the home defence under pressure. Rigby's high ball was met by Rockett but the alert Walker cleared the danger under pressure from Bennett.

Half-time: Swansea City 1, Scarborough 0.

With only Penney's penalty separating the teams Swansea clearly had to be on their guard against a Scarborough team which needed to win to reinforce their own play-off hopes. Mick Wadsworth's team could not have wished for a better start to the second half with an equaliser on 48 minutes. Edwards gave away a free-kick 10 yards inside the Swansea half and, when the experienced Currie pumped a high ball into the Swansea goalmouth, Freestone hesitated and Bennett reacted quicker than anyone to turn a back header into the net.

Having dominated much of the first half Swansea now looked distinctly ill at ease as their opponents grew in confidence. Suddenly Scarborough were looking the more likely winners and, when Currie drove in a corner, Swansea needed the brilliance of Freestone to turn a Hicks header over the bar.

Swansea stayed under pressure and Hicks remained in support up front but his next header from another Cuirie corner was directed over the bar. Swansea finally started to move forward again but a 30-yard effort from Edwards went just wide.

Scarborough were now putting their moves and passes together with greater authority and accuracy and Walker was forced to make a hasty clearance under pressure from Currie and Rigby. Another Scarborough corner offered more problems for the Swansea defence and Freestone's punched clearance went straight to Rockett whose header went over the bar.

Swansea's best move of the second half came shortly after. Inspired by Ampadu, Thomas released Brayson on a run which carried the young striker into the Scarborough box where he drove a left foot shot wide.

Swansea's ragged defence was pulled apart on 86 minutes when Scarborough went in front. Rigby broke down the right and drove in a cross which WILLIAMS met on the volley to give Freestone no chance.