Match report

Video clips

STEVE JONES finally eased Swansea City's nerves in a dreadful FAW Premier Cup opener at Vetch Field.

It took the Swans 83 minutes to break down the League of Wales part-timers who had battled bravely without the ball all evening.

But the pressure finally told when Caernarfon lost keeper Mark Deegan with a knee injury in the 75th minute.

He was replaced by substitute defender Dave Cockram and, after making two excellent saves to deny Tony Bird, the stand-in keeper failed to hold a Michael Keegan corner and defender Jones was on hand to head the ball home.

Two minutes into injury time Jones turned provider when his deep cross was headed in at the far post by substitute Steve Watkin.

Swans' centre-half Keith Walker came through his first 90 minutes for a year after a long-term ankle injury.

But while Walker made his return in a winning side, it was an evening manager John Hollins and his men will be happy to forget.

A very poor match which had 0-0 written all over it until, with 15 minutes left, their keeper had to leave the field due to a knee injury

Hollins didn't make the mistake of underestimating the non-league opposition by naming a team that contained a majority of first team players. The actual starting line-up (4-4-2) was:-

Jones J
Jones S * Walker * Smith * Coates
Keegan * Jenkins * Thomas M * O'Leary
Alsop * Bird

subs: Watkin, Phillips, Casey

I don't recall seeing a shot on target in the first half and very little constructive football was played. In fact, there is little positive I can say about it - but I'll try. Keith Walker looked lively and got forward quite often. Jonathan "Sid" Coates saw a bit of the ball wide on the left but apart from looking quite skillful did little with it. O'Leary got himself booked for his usual tough tackling and Lee Jones looked busy in the centre. Martin Thomas was again off the pace of the game and disappointed.

Half time was a blessing for the near 1000 crowd and there was more action at the bar of the hg than we had witnessed in the first 45.

Second half saw the Swans dominate teritorially but without the cutting edge in the visitors third. Crosses from both flanks were comfortably dealt with by the Caernarfon defence. Phillips replaced O'Leary for the 2nd half and with 20 minutes to go, Casey replaced Thomas.

This brought no real improvement but the turning point came shortly afterwards. From a corner, their keeper fumbled the ball and had to chase it under pressure towards the edge of the box. Upon reclaiming the ball, he fell awkwardly and carried the ball outside the box.

The referee awarded a free kick and their keeper stayed down to the annoyance of the crowd. He looked as if he was feigning and when the stretcher was waved away and he got up to continue, the crowd felt that they were justified in their view.

Minutes later though, kicking from hand he collapsed in a heap as his knee gave way from under him. The non-keeping player manager came on as sub to replace him and it was only a matter of time before their goal would be breached.

A well delivered cross from the right was "palmed" away by the stand-in keeper but only as far as Steve Jones who 10 yards out headed the ball into the net. Amazingly, like moths fly to a strong light, Swansea immediately fell back on defence and invited Caernarfon to equalise. They almost obliged from a right wing corner but the ball was scrambled upfield to safety.

In the 5 minute injury period a super cross from Steve Jones was headed downward and into the net by Watkin who minutes before had replaced Alsop.

A flattering scoreline but the fans left the Vetch happy.