Nick Cusack yesterday completed his summer rebuilding work with two more signings, then watched his reshaped side slip to a 2-0 defeat in their first preseason game at Vetch Field.

Striker Jamie Wood and centre-back Dave Theobald, who both penned one-year deals, became new faces numbers nine and 10 for the healthy crowd of 2,369 to talk about, but the optimism ahead of August 10 thinned a little as Crystal Palace took control.

There is no need to be too disheartened, for Trevor Francis's First Division side will be gunning for promotion to the Premiership next season.

And had Swansea taken advantage of their early opportunities, a home win might very well have followed.

Impressive midfield enforcer Paul Reid and Jason Smith were both denied by fingertip saves from Matt Clarke in the opening exchanges.

Then John Williams had a golden chance to cap his impressive form in Holland earlier this week with a goal: a neat ball from James Thomas saw Williams clean through on the goalkeeper, but the former Coventry frontman dragged his shot past the post.

When their chances came, by contrast, Palace did not allow their hosts off the hook.

Roger Freestone parried Tommy Black's 20thminute volley, but Barryborn striker Gareth Williams raced in to smash home the rebound.

Thomas had the first of four strikes on goal saved 13 minutes later, and within seconds Danny Butterfield completed the scoring after he was allowed too much space in Swansea's box.

The second period was most memorable for a couple of dust-ups involving Palace's Steven Thomson, first with Reid, who finished up with a cut head, and then Andrew Mumford, who was booked. In true pre-season fashion, Thomson was substituted rather than disciplined.

New boy Wood appeared as a substitute, then disappeared into the North Bank after a nasty fall. Thankfully the Mancunian frontman was soon on his feet.

"I was disappointed with the way we played in the first half, " said player-boss Cusack, "we dropped too deep and conceded two poor goals.

"I wanted us to carry on from Den Haag when we did well, but we looked a bit sluggish tonight and that sometimes happens in preseason.

"Some of the players are disappointed because they now they can do better.

They proved that in Holland.

"But we know where we are going and what the first team is going to look like and we will get them going.

"This is a bit of a setback, but it's been a positive preseason so far and I'm confident we'll be ready come August 10."

SWANSEA CITY: Freestone, Jenkins, D Smith, O'Leary, J Smith, Evans, Mumford (repl Moss 75), Murphy, Thomas, Williams (repl Wood 71), Reid.

Subs not used: Marsh, Sharp, Howard.

SUPERIOR finishing was the crucial difference between the two sides last night as Swansea City's pre-season preparations continued with a largely uninspiring warm-up against First Division Crystal Palace.

Frustrating though it was for player-coach Nick Cusack - especially after Tuesday's encouraging 2-1 victory over Dutch First Division side FC Den Haag - it would be pointless to dwell too much on the defeat given the obvious difference in class between the Swans and their south London opponents.

Indeed, had Cusack's men made the most of their chances - James Thomas threatened on numerous occasions - it could have been a different story.

In short, Palace gratefully took whatever came their way.

It was the first opportunity for Swans supporters to watch the 10 new signings in action, though it seemed half of the 2,369 who came had disappeared after the interval - perhaps opting to watch the final instalment of Big Brother rather than their side labour to hit the target.

What they should have witnessed was Swansea opening the scoring after 15 minutes.

Displaying excellent vision, Thomas released strike partner John Williams from the halfway line but the former Coventry City man drilled wide of the left-hand post with only the 'keeper to beat.

Palace took the lead five minutes later, striker Gareth Williams firing into the roof of the net after Roger Freestone had reacted well to block Tommy Black's initial effort.

Swansea were enjoying most of the possession - Thomas trying his luck with a finely-struck 20-yard effort - but slipped further behind in the 34th minute when Black delivered a square ball across the 18-yard box for unmarked midfielder Danny Butterfield to blast past Freestone.

Thomas came closest in the second half when he shrugged off his marker in a wide-right position, cut inside and drove into the 'keeper's midriff.

The encounter was fast losing its "friendly" tag, Palace midfielder Steven Thomson elbowing Swansea's Paul Reid in the face and aiming a kick at Andrew Mumford.

It was only Mumford's retaliation - grabbing the back of Thomson's neck - that Llanelli referee Nigel Richards spotted and the 21-year-old midfielder promptly received his third yellow card in the space of seven days.

Cusack brought on new signing Jamie Wood and the former Manchester United striker put himself about well. But Swansea, whose pre-season continues at non-league Hednesford Town on Tuesday, could not find a way past Trevor Francis's side. Swansea City: Freestone, Jenkins, D Smith, O'Leary, J Smith, Mumford (Moss, 75), Evans, Murphy, Thomas, Williams (Wood,70), Reid. Subs (not used): Marsh, Sharp, Howard Crystal Palace: Clarke (Kolinko 46), Fleming, Granville, Austin (Antwi, 78) Popovic, Butterfield, Routledge (Hunt, 81), Thomson (Rubins, 71) Williams, Black, Frampton Subs (not used): Antwi.

NICK CUSACK last night declared his Swansea City rebuilding programme complete after clinching the signatures of trialists David Theobald and Jamie Wood.

Former Brentford defender Theobald and ex-Manchester United striker Wood, both 23, yesterday agreed to join the Third Division club on one-year contracts after impressing during their three-week trial.

Their arrival brings the number of new signings this summer to 10 and Cusack, who now has in place a 24-man squad said there would be no more fresh faces.

"That is it," said the player-coach. "As far as I'm concerned, we now have a squad of 24 for next season and won't go above that.

"The large clear-out at the end of last season has enabled me to build a new, stronger squad with at least two players competing for each position. Everyone will be looking over their shoulder knowing that if they don't perform, someone is waiting to replace them."

Cambridge-born Theobald, who started his career at Ipswich Town before joining Brentford in July 1999, said, "I was grateful to be given a chance to impress on trial and now I can't wait for the new season."

Wood, who joined Manchester United as a nine-year-old schoolboy and spent 11 years at Old Trafford before moving to Hull City and later Halifax, said he had no qualms about competing with five other strikers for a place in the Swans' attack.

"Competition for places is the best incentive for a striker to score goals," said the Salford-born player, released by Halifax last season.

"I've really enjoyed the last few weeks and am looking forward to hopefully banging in a few goals next season."

Swansea City player-coach Nick Cusack has clinched the signings of two players on trial at the Vetch Field. Striker Jamie Wood and defender David Theobald did well during the Swans' tour of Holland, and have been offered one-year deals.

Cusack said: "I've been really impressed by the two of them over the last few weeks.

"Myself and Alan Curtis have watched them closely and their attitudes have been spot on. "They've mixed well with the boys and I think they'll certainly improve our squad."

Wood, who began his career with Manchester United, went on to play for Royal Antwerp and Hull before a spell with Halifax ended with him being released at the end of last season.

The 23-year-old is a Cayman Islands international and proved his fitness after breaking his foot midway through the last campaign. Defender Theobald was part of the Brentford squad beaten at the Millennium Stadium by Stoke in the Division Two play-offs.

Cusack added: "Dave is comfortable on the ball, but he can also handle the physical side. He's a different kind of player to what we have here. "Jamie works the channels well and will score goals, given a run in the team."

The transfers have brought Swansea's close season signings to 10 as they search for a place at the top of the table. Swansea signings Paul Reid (Bury) James Thomas (Blackburn) Matt Murphy (Bury) John Keaveney (Carmarthen) Andrew Marsh (Pontardawe) Michael Jackson (Cheltenham) David Smith (Grimsby) David Moss (Falkirk) David Theobald (Brentford) Jamie Wood (Halifax)

Swansea take on Trevor Francis' side in their first home friendly of the pre-season at the Vetch on Friday (1900 BST).

Player-coach Nick Cusack was delighted with the 2-1 victory over Den Haag which ended their Dutch tour in style.

He is taking another look at triallists Jamie Wood and David Theobold soon, and both players will be looking to make a final impression on the home crowd.

Crystal Palace have named a 17-strong squad including Latvian internationals Andres Rubins and Alex Kolinko, Scotland striker Dougie Freedman and recent Cardiff target Danny Butterfield.

Swansea City will receive an early season £50,000 TV boost after Sky's decision to televise the first-round Worthington Cup-tie against Wolves.

The journey home from the pre-season tour of Holland was helped along with the news that Swansea's mouthwatering clash with the First Division title favourites will be screened live on Sky, as predicted in later editions of last night's Evening Post.

Television scheduling means the match will be played on Wednesday, September 11.

Nick Cusack hailed the tour of Holland as a resounding success as club bosses revealed plans for a repeat trip next summer.

Cusack's squad arrived home last night having capped their six-day stay on the Continent with a surprise victory over Dutch second division outfit FC Den Haag.

And the satisfied player-manager declared that the three-game tour had been a useful step in Swansea's pre-season preparations.

"It was a very positive trip, " Cusack said, "and was certainly a worthwhile exercise." "John van Zweden (tour organiser and Swansea fan) did a brilliant job and the board of directors showed that they are forward-thinking in their support for the trip.

"Going to Holland will have a positive effect come the start of the season on August 10." Things did not look great when some below-par refereeing spoiled the tour opener against FC Kranenburg, but highclass training facilities and accommodation, coupled with the uplifting win over Den Haag, ensured a good feeling in the Swansea camp on their return.

The significant band of travelling fans had the chance to meet the players at a specially-arranged dinner, and to mix with hundreds of European Swansea supporters at the three matches.

"Everything's been great and the players have enjoyed the experience. We would definitely come back, " added Cusack.

Swansea continue their pre-season work against Crystal Palace at Vetch Field tomorrow night (7).

Admission to all parts of the ground is £5.

Former Swansea striker Mamady Sidibe hit a hat-trick for Gillingham during Wednesday night's 10-0 win over at Dover Athletic.

Five goals were scored in each half at The Crabble Ground as The Gills made it 15 goals in just two days following their 5-0 win at Windsor & Eton on Tuesday.

Sidibe bagged his treble in the first half with Paul Shaw and Rod Wallace also on target in what was one-way traffic.

Sidibe's next chance to impress Gills player-boss Andy Hessenthaler will be against Spurs at Priestfield on Saturday.

CARDIFF City fans playing a friendly match against their rivals from Swansea have been left disappointed after officials at Ninian Park did not support the game.

When the teams from ccfcsleepinggiant.com and jackarmy.net played recently, the lads from Swansea won the game 4-1.

But the match was successful in thawing relations between the clubs whose supporters have a history of violence off the pitch.

Swansea officials gave their full support to the game which was played at the city's Morfa Stadium.

Their team were given a full Swansea kit and even the club's famous mascot Cyril the Swan was on hand to cheer his side on.

Now, with the second leg of the match being played in Cardiff on Sunday, the Bluebirds' fans said their club is ignoring a match they believe will help restore the reputation of the club tarnished by hooliganism last season.

"We've contacted Ninian Park asking if they would like to get involved, but the response has been really dishearteningto be honest," said one of the Cardiff players, Andy Neilson.

"We had an excellent day up in Swansea, a really good laugh with everyone getting on very well.

"We hoped we could get some support, like kits or something, but Cardiff don't seem interested. It's pathetic really."

A spokesman for Cardiff City said the club was unable to help at this time.

"We have been contacted by the organisers, but the things they asked for could not be provided," the spokesman told the Echo.

"We have changed the company who manufacture our kits and do not yet have any available.

"Ninian Park could not be used because we are preparing for the new season and the players are in Scotland on tour. It's a very unfortunate set of circumstances."

* The match is being played at Cardiff Civil Service ground, in Sanatorium Road, Leckwith, Cardiff, this Sunday. Kick-off is at 11am.

Swansea City player-manager Nick Cusack allowed himself a smile here today after his side were given a glamour tie in the first round of the Worthington Cup.

Swansea will entertain First Division heavyweights Wolves at Vetch Field and Cusack is delighted at the prospect.

"It's probably the best draw we could have got, " he said. "They are a big club, so the fans should be excited and we should get a big crowd." He added: "I think Wolves will be similar to the sides we have played here, so this tour should serve us well.

Wolves are favourites to win the First Division title and yesterday completed the signing of Denis Irwin from Manchester United.

Sky have already shown an interest in televising the match which will also provide a challenge for striker James Thomas who admits he cannot wait for the Third Division season to start after firing his first goals for the club in the surprise victory over FC Den Haag here last night.

Cusack's side ended their Dutch pre-season tour on a high note by upsetting their much-fancied opponents on their own patch.

And Thomas, scorer of both goals in a 2-1 win, now has his razor-sharp sights set on the Nationwide League's big kick-off on August 10.

"I can't wait to get going, " said the 23-yearold former Blackburn striker. "I've never really had a run in the first team either with Blackburn or during loan spells, but hopefully now I'm settled and we can look towards getting promotion." The omens looked good at Den Haag's Zuiderpark home last night as Cusack's first-choice side scored a deserved victory against the favourites for promotion to the Dutch top flight next term.

Thomas put Swansea ahead from the penalty spot seconds before the interval, then finished off a sweeping, 75th-minute move to give Cusack his first pre-season success.

The Swansea-born striker added: "Goals mean confidence and hopefully I can go on from here.

I've never been the perfect goalscorer, but I'm looking to go on and get my fair share and set a few up at the same time.

"I'm chuffed to get a couple of goals and because we won against a team who had been built up as the hardest on the tour. Nick had told us that a lot of people were saying we were going to get stuffed." A thrilled Cusack reserved special praise for his biggest summer acquisition, adding: "What a signing he is. He has got it all - pace, good touch, he works hard and he scores goals." Admission prices for Friday's friendly against Crystal Palace (7) and the game against Romanian side Steaua Bucharest a week tomorrow have been set at £5 for all parts of the ground.

Steve Watkins has been installed as the 9-4 favourite by bookmakers Jack Brown to be Swansea's leading scorer in the Third Division next season. Thomas is second best at 11-4.

Odds: 9-4 Watkin; 11-4 Thomas, Moss; 5-1 Keaveny; 11-2 Williams; 16-1 Mumford; 25-1 Jenkins, Wood; 33-1 O'Leary; 100-1 Phillips;

150-1 Reed, Theobald.

Following this morning’s draw for the First Round of the 2002 – 2003 Worthington Cup, Sky Sports has announced that it will be screening the game between Third Division Swansea City and First Division Wolverhampton Wanderers live from the Vetch Field on Wednesday 11 September, kick-off 7:45pm.

The Football League’s new deal with BSkyB will see the broadcaster screening up to two live ties from each full round of the Worthington Cup plus Semi-Finals and the Final exclusively live.

Swansea City ended their pre-season tour in Holland on a high note with an encouraging win over Dutch First Division side Den Hagg. Manager Nick Cusack made eight changes to the side that under-performed in Sunday's 3-0 defeat against FC Kortrijk.

James Thomas, who recently joined after being released by Blackburn, scored both of his side's goals and was by far the best player on the pitch. He slotted home a penalty in first-half injury time and scored the winner in the 75th minute.

"What a signing he is for us," Cusack told the club's website. "For me, he got it all.

"He's got pace, a good touch and he scores goals."

Swansea's next game is against Crystal Palace at the Vetch on 26 July.

Matches at Hednesford (30 July) and Woking (5 August) sandwich a visit from former European Cup holders Steaua Bucharest on 1 August as the preparations are completed

Trialists Jamie Wood and Dave Theobald seem set to join Swansea City after proving worthy members of the club's Dutch tour party.

Nick Cusack challenged the two 23-yearolds to stake their claims here and the duo have responded with man-ofthe-match displays in the first two matches of the trip.

Former Manchester United frontman Wood led the way with a goal against Kranenburg last Friday, before centreback Theobald (pictured above) stepped into the limelight with an accomplished showing in yesterday's defeat by KV Kortrijk.

Despite a 3-0 defeat, the ex-Brentford defender stood out thanks to an impressive combination of aerial power and passing ability. And, although he insists no decisions will be made until the club return home on Wednesday, Cusack admitted Wood and Theobald are in line to fill the two vacant spots in his squad.

"I am very keen to do something with Dave, " said the Swansea playermanager.

"Most of our centrebacks are the old-fashioned style, they win headers, they battle and they play percentages.

But Dave has got genuine ability. He has a nice range of passing and he's very unflustered on the ball.

"At the same time he is a big lad and good in the air. He's certainly as good as what we have got already and would be a useful acquisition for us, " added Cusack.

"I think anyone who has seen him play for us in the last couple of weeks would agree with that.

"Jamie has been impressive too and I think we will take the opportunity to do something with both players." Both trialists will be hoping to play some part in the final tour match against FC Den Haag tomorrow night, when Cusack has vowed to play his strongest side.

The Dutch second division outfit are expected to be stronger than yesterday's opponents.

Added Cusack: "We lost 3-0 against a very good side, and tomorrow will be another step up.

"We are not going to face this type of team, with gifted technical players, in the Third Division, and I think most Third Division teams coming over here would find it quite difficult."

AS footballing educations go, Swansea City trialist Jamie Wood has had some good schooling.

There's surely not much more you can learn after 11 years at Manchester United. Or so he thought.

Having been at Old Trafford from the age of nine, progressing through the youth system alongside the likes of England's Wes Brown, Wood has recently been learning a bit about the harsh realities of football in the lower leagues.

The 23-year-old striker, who once dreamed of copying idols like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes by transforming from Fergie fledgling to established United star, spent last season staring at relegation to the Nationwide Conference with Halifax Town.

When the inevitable was confirmed and the Yorkshire club fell through the Football League trapdoor, Wood found himself a victim of a drastic cost-cutting exercise and was released to join the swathe of other players looking for a new home.

Hence his arrival on trial at the Vetch, where he hopes to revive a professional career which began at Old Trafford in July 1997 and has included spells at Hull City and Belgian club Royal Antwerp.

"I'm hoping to make a fresh start at Swansea," said the Salford-born player, who arrived at The Shay in August 2001.

"It would be refreshing after what happened with Halifax last season. It was a bad year for the club and I was injured for most of it. To be honest, it was depressing from start to finish."

Wood has impressed Swans player-coach Nick Cusack since arriving at the Vetch three weeks ago and hopes to clinch a move to the Third Division club after the final game of their pre-season tour of Holland against FC Den Haag tonight.

If Cusack is convinced Wood can do a job for the Swans, he will be investing in a player who honed his talents alongside play-ers like Giggs, Scholes and the Neville brothers. "Myself and play-ers like John Curtis (now at Blackburn Rovers) and Wes Brown, who came through the youth system at the same time as me, looked up to the local lads like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes," he said.

"I would train with players like them when they were coming back from injuries and joined the reserves for a while. It was great to mix in with them.

"Obviously, it was my dream to do what they did: progress through the youth system and end up playing in the first team.

"Sadly, that didn't happen for me. It was disappointing that things didn't work out. The year I left, United had just won the treble.

"But there is no shame in being told you have no future at a club like Manchester United. Having been schooled from the youth team through to the reserves, I can say I've had the best possible football education."

Shortly after spending five months on loan with Royal Antwerp, along with then fellow United novices Danny Higginbotham and Ronnie Wallwork, Wood left his native Manchester to join Hull City in July 1999.

Two years later, having made around 50 appearances for the Boothferry Park club, the striker moved to Halifax for an ill-fated 12-month stay.

"It was a bit of a nightmare there," said Wood. They kept changing the manager and then, after we were relegated, a lot of contracts got terminated.

"But that is all in the past and hopefully I can move forward with Swansea. I'm enjoying it here.

"There are a good bunch of lads at the club and Nick (Cusack) is a manager who knows what he wants to do. I would love to be part of a successful side.

"My strengths are my size and my pace and, given the chance, I can score goals."