Venue: Huish Park
Sat 6th September 2003, 1.00pm kick-off.
Conditions: Warm, sunny, occasional showers.
Ground: Perfect
Scorers: Adam Stansfield (39 mins, 1-0), Kirk Jackson (55 mins, 2-0)
Attendance: 6,655 (incl. approx. 1,500 Swansea supporters)
Referee: Steve Dunn (Gloucestershire)
Assistant Refs: Ralph Bone (Kent) and Keith Stroud (Dorset)
Bookings:
Yeovil: Lee Johnson (11 mins, unsporting behaviour), Darren Way (57 mins, unsporting behaviour)
Swansea: Kris O’Leary (51 mins, unsporting behaviour), Kevin Nugent (90 mins, unsporting behaviour)
Line up : (4-4-2)
1. Chris Weale,
2. Adam Lockwood, 14. Roy O’Brien, 5. Colin Pluck, 11. Ronnie Bull,
20. Gavin Williams, 6. Darren Way, 8. Lee Johnson, 10. Nick Crittenden,
18. Kirk Jackson, 7. Adam Stansfield
Subs: 12. Hugo Rodrigues, 13. Steven Collis, 23. Jamie Gosling (82 mins, for Crittenden), 24. Paul Terry (90 mins, for Jackson), Jake Edwards (75 mins, for Stansfield)
Swansea City: (4-4-2)
1. Roger Freestone,
2. Lee Jenkins, 22. Izzy Iriekpen, 4. Kristian O’Leary, 3. Michael Howard,
14. Bradley Maylett, 7. Leon Britton, 18. Andy Robinson, 17. Kieron Durkan,
8. Kevin Nugent, 10. Lee Trundle
Subs: 9. James Thomas, 19. Richard Duffy (56 mins, for Jenkins), 20. Stuart Jones (58 mins, for O’Leary), 21. Brian Murphy, 23. Antonio Corbisierso (66, for Durkan)
Noddy Elms’ View Of The Game
Gary Johnson promised action after Yeovil’s fall from the top of Division 3. Today’s display surely justifies the week’s decisions, consigning any doubts of his ability to turn things around to the archives. Yeovil competed on all fronts with a Swansea side that had been scoring for fun.
Following three defeats the Gaffer switched to a 4-4-2 formation, drafting in loan signing Ronny Bull at left back. Bull’s presence added the needed stability while he was always keen to push forward. Pluck particularly seemed to relish the extra freedom and had a masterful game at the centre of the defence. Crittenden and Williams formally filled the wings but the Welshman often took the opportunity to drift into his more familiar centre role. Adam Stansfield joined Kirk Jackson up front in the wake of Kevin Gall’s international duties. The casualties were Yeovil wing-backs Lindegaard and El Kholti. Edwards, Terry, Gosling and Rodrigues joined Collis on the bench.
The first action of the game, Nugent’s foul on O’Brien, was a disciplinary one, suggesting Mr Dunn was going to stand for no nonsense. Lee Johnson soon followed him into Mr Dunn’s book, his foray forward had broken down and Swansea counter-attacked, Johnson halting their attack illegally.
Yeovil started positively, winning a free kick on the edge of the Swansea box, But Lockwood’s header lacked power and the Swansea keeper, Freestone, collected easily. Bull’s first touch was less than perfect, straight to a Swansea man, but from then on in he showed his superior ability. His next contribution sent the ball across the Swansea box, but neither Jackson nor Stansfield could take advantage.
Yeovil enjoyed the better of the opening minutes but Swansea showed glimpses of why they were top of the league. The powerful Trundle was more than a match for O’Brien after 12 minutes, but he should have done better than blast over the Yeovil bar after turning the Yeovil defender in the box.
Way and Crittenden sent in crosses that should have been more dangerous, but were not supported in the box. That seemed to be the biggest problem for Johnson’s new formation and Yeovil suffered from a lack of urgency or invention around the Swansea box.
Yeovil again caused themselves problems: O’Brien’s sliced clearance leading to Swansea’s best chance of the half, Weale managing to push Nugent’s header past the post. The diminutive Britton worked tirelessly for Swansea throughout the afternoon. Swansea enjoyed their best period around the half hour mark. Britton’s crosses often signalled danger but O’Brien or Lockwood were always on hand to head safely behind.
As in recent weeks good chances at one end have lead to a goal at the other, this week it was to Yeovil’s favour. After 37 minutes Bull lost possession on the Yeovil right. Almost incensed, he won the ball back and charged into the Swansea area. Freestone did well to block his powerful shot but it fell to Lee Johnson who’s powerful cross to the far post was met by Adam Stansfield’s head and he did well to find the gap between keeper’s hand and post: Yeovil 1 Swansea 0.
Swansea were undoubtedly rocked and did well to scramble away Johnson’s free-kick minutes later. Swansea now conceded possession easily and Yeovil played with the composure and fluidity that their lead afforded them.
Half-time: Yeovil Town 1 Swansea City 0
s soon as the second half began Stansfield broke free behind the Swansea defence. Unfortunately for Yeovil Stansfield’s shot failed to clear the advancing Freestone and a golden chance had gone.
Yeovil’s next serious move on 55 minutes seemed to have petered out when Stansfield skied his through-ball. But the ball broke kindly for the persistent Kirk Jackson who, dragging himself back to his feet, managed to beat Freestone to the ball and stab it into the back of the Swansea goal: Yeovil 2 Swansea 0.
The introduction of three Swansea substitutes added urgency to the Swansea plight and Yeovil were forced to defend desperately, but they held on. Britton’s run fed Trundle on the right who did well to work his way along the goal line and cross for Nugent, but the Swansea striker could only head over the Yeovil bar. Yeovil raised their work-rate to counter and as the game entered the last ten minutes looked more and more comfortable: Way broke from the halfway line to force a save from Freestone, Edwards forced a corner and Pluck headed wide. Johnson had introduced the obligatory three substitutes to slow the game down and Yeovil were home and dry.
The game ended as it had begun, Nugent entering Mr Dunn’s book for diving in the box. Despite contributing to an enthralling afternoon’s football it just wasn’t going to be Swansea’s day.
Final Score: Yeovil Town 2 Swansea City 0.
A good day at the office for the Glovers: the changes certainly added stability to a previously nervous defence. Gall’s international duties provided Adam Stansfield with his first start and he proved what an effective striker he is, he’s lost none of his goal scoring ability. That may have been fortuitous for Gary Johnson, but no-one at Yeovil will complain about that.
Noddy Elms
MOTM Vote Result:
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Overall match rating: 8.8 / 10
Performance: 8.7
Entertainment: 8.9
79 votes received.