Match report

Video clips

• Cusack's winning header (339kb)

Swansea secured all three points in a scrappy game against Chester at the Deva Stadium thanks to skipper Nick Cusack.

The kick off had been delayed 10 minutes due to Chester fans clamouring to get inside to secure special FA Cup vouchers for the third round clash with Manchester City.

But Swansea were unfazed and were by far the better team but had to wait 54 minutes for Cusack to head home Jon Coates' cross.

Chester were lacking ideas up front and never looked like scoring.

The closest they came was 10 minutes from the end when captain Nick Richardson's shot rolled across the goal and hit the upright.

Swansea should have grabbed another goal a few minutes later when Julian Alsop went around keeper Wayne Brown only to see his effort go inches past the post.

It was a frustrating first half - just like at Oldham we played the more constructive passing football, but failed to find a cutting edge against a five man defence which rarely ventured forward. Chester's long passing game produced the best effort of the fist half within 2 minutes, with Freestone making a superb diving save from a rasping volley. But that was the best that Chester could muster as they struggled to stifle the probings of the Swansea midfield which battled hard and sought to play to feet. However, this was often over elaborate and tended to peter out in the last third. Our two best efforts of the half came from the rejuvenated Jason Price, who was clearly enjoying a new lease of life restored to his attacking right sided position. His first was a terrific mazy dribble which took him through the heart of the defence only to lift his shot wide; the second a curling left foot effort which went just over the bar.

We began the second half with greater resolve, and nearly took the lead when some excellent build up play from the right ( again involving Price) led to a searing drive from 20 yards by Coates, which just cleared the bar. We continued to press forward and got our reward on 54 minutes - again good build up play from right to left, led to a pin point cross from Coates headed home powerfully by Cusack. Inevitably, some sustained Chester pressure ensued, but the back four dealt with most of it comfortably. Two substitutions were made in order to stiffen us up - Howard made way for Casey, with Coates dropping to left back; Thomas replaced an exhausted Price, to pack the midfield for the latter stages. Chester delivered some useful crosses, but only one of them close to a goal when our defence stopped to admire a low cross, and a Chester player slid the ball past Freestone and onto the outside of the post.

Otherwise, we were the more likely scorers, with Casey terrorising the right side of the Chester defence at every opportunity. In the closing stages, Watkin hit a superb left foot drive which was excellently saved, and Coates nearly finished the job after an excellent run, only to see his attempted chip well saved. Alsop also came close, apparently running the ball just past the post.

Player ratings:
Freestone - 8 Flapped at a couple of crosses but otherwise excellent
Howard - 7 Had little trouble in defence, still nervous going forward.
Jones - 7 Seemed a little edgy today, but advanced well
Smith - 9 headed pretty much everything; one excellent touch in the second half to save a goalscoring opportunity
Bound - 8 Headed everything Smith didn't - dare we say solid!
Coates - 7 A lot of our best attacks flowed through Coates - he seems to be maturing as a creative midfielder, and dribbles the ball well, but rarely goes past a defender these days.
Price - 9 A revelation today, shaky in the first 10 minutes but after that his enthusiasm and pacy running continuously unsettled Chester. As we and others have said, he is an asset as an attacker, a liability as a defender.
Lacey - 6 got stuck in but to variable effect.
Cusack - 7 As above, but scored a lovely goal.
Watkin - 7 Showed his class, and produced one superb strike, but struggled to make a major impact.
Alsop 7 Poor old Jules WILL score again one day; today he battled hard and won virtually everything in the air, but his touch deserted him.

Subs
Casey - 7 Seemed to be facing 3 defenders every time he got the ball ( teams have started doing their homework on him) but refreshingly always tried to take them on. Lets hope his confidence grows.
Thomas - 6 Battled to hold onto the 3 points.

In summary, we ground out a result we thoroughly deserved, and perhaps on another day would have gained more easily. Chester were poor, but as we discovered at Shrewsbury, these games still have to be won. Our defence rarely looked in any trouble at all, and have now established themselves as the fourth best defence in the division. Our midfield did succeed in imposing themselves on the game, and that is often the difference between the three points and none. We still maintain that a good signing or 2 in this area could make all the difference. Unfortunately despite masses of endeavour, our strikers are just not striking. It was the right decision not to introduce Boyd today, because the points were there to be held onto, but our success over the rest of the season could well rest on the ability of the 'blacka pearl' to adapt.

A slightly muted response from the swans crowd, but the players seemed genuinely delighted and responded well at the final whistle. Perhaps JH's tactic of wearing long trousers today is one to be repeated :-)

A few plus points Alsop won most in the air and did on quite a few occasions direct the ball into dangerous areas, the only problem was if it was to the right Watkin was to his left and vice versa. He never stopped trying and although not blessed with skill has over the last few games put in 100%. Coates again put in the effort but does tend to take the wrong option in the end. Great save from the volley by Rog and Bound was solid as was Smith apart from a few sliced clearances.

Our midfield again struggled as we are too lightweight, but although not a Cusack fan, he did dig deep in the last 20 minutes and seemed to be involved in clearances and general organisation. Not wanting to knock players as in their own way were putting in the effort, but lack of confidence seems to have affected most others. Jones again tried but I think will never be back to his pre injury performances, as he has lost a yard of pace and at one time would run through a brick wall, shame as he does deserve better after what he has been through. Price needs a long break, as although he covers a lot of ground he ends up totally out of the game.

Hollins did shout a few times, but that missing spark is still not there, and we could have drawn at the end when they hit the post when it was easier to score

Positive thoughts
We are tenth ( How???) In a previous posting I said 25 0-0 draws and we are safe, but now 25 1-0 wins and we will be champions ;-) Good turn out today considering our latest form. Roberts, Thomas, O'Leary & Boyd will strengthen the team. Or maybe a few loan signings after Xmas.