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| Swansea 0 v 1 Gillingham |
by Karl Woodward - Western Mail
The Swans came down to earth with a bump at the Vetch Field last night.
After Saturday’s marvellous FA Cup display against West Ham at Upton Park, they suffered their first defeat in 13 games to bow out of the Auto Windscreen Shield in the second round.
The Swans paid the penalty for missing clear-cut chances during a first half in which they were on top.
Manager John Hollins made five alterations to the side that drew 1-1 with the Premiership outfit. Defenders Mark Clode and Kristian O’Leary replaced Michael Howard and Jason Smith with Damien Lacey, Lee Jenkins and Jason Price taking over in midfield from Nick Cusack, Martin Thomas and Stuart Roberts.
Despite so many changes, Swansea found an early rhythm and should have gone ahead within the first minute.
Jonathan Coates split Gillingham’s defence with an angled pass into Price’s path but he pulled his right-footed drive well wide.
Swansea had another chance to punish some loose defending by Second Division opponents boasting a 17-match unbeaten league run.
Julian Alsop chested down a Steve Jones cross for the unmarked Coates to hit a shot that ’keeper Vince Bartram could not claim, the ball bouncing for an unproductive corner.
Minutes later the visitors lost defender Matt Bryant with an injury sustained as he and Alsop contested a cross from Steve Watkin.
Bartram turned another shot – this time by Coates – round a post after 21 minutes as Swansea pinned their rivals in their own half for long periods.
On one of the rare occasions Gillingham threatened, O’Leary made a perfectly-timed tackle to rob 16-goal leading scorer Carl Asaba.
Swansea spoiled several smooth attacks with poor crosses, notably from the right and the Kent club were a much stronger attacking force after the break.
Asaba skimmed the bar with a curler and Freestone had to make superb saves from Mark Saunders and Nicky Southall as Gillingham exploited gaps on the left of Swansea’s defence.
Tony Bird replaced Alsop on the hour and Stuart Roberts came on for Price 12 minutes later.
But Gillingham’s best spell was rewarded by a 76thminute goal from Andy Hessenthaler. Clode’s slip trying to intercept a pass from substitute James Pinnock freed Hessenthaler and he beat Freestone with a fierce right-footed drive from the edge of the area.
Clode thought he had atoned for his mistake three minutes from time but Bartram dived full length to keep out his 30-yard effort and prevent the game going into extra time.