Our last visit to Macclesfield saw the 4-0 cup defeat which brought on the departure of you know who. It has been nearly twelve months since our last away win, but it's joy at last. An overcast day with a strong cold swirling wind waited for the team as they did their now customary bonding huddle, in fact both teams did it.
With Tate suspended and Nugent injured, O'Leary & Watkin returned to the starting line up. The successful run of late showed in the early play as players seemed to have an extra spring in their step and the newfound confidence resulted in them reacting much quicker to the ball. We dictated play from the off and it only seemed time before we took the lead, as Macclesfield offered very little with our new midfield trio running the show. On around the 20 minute it look like that goal had come, a break down the right saw a ball crossed inside the area along the six yard line finding Johnrose coming in towards the far post, it had goal written all over it, but he managed to put it wide, a glaring miss. Within 5 mins he nearly made amends when meeting a cross near the penalty spot he sent a header towards the top corner only for Wilson to make an excellent save. Roger had very little to do, apart from collecting the odd wayward cross, as our goal was hardly threatened. He did however collect a booking. He chased a ball with Lightborne towards the corner flag, resulting in a corner. Rog collected the ball and threw it over the barrier, the ref deciding that it was throwing the ball away. With no Macc player on hand to take a quick corner it seemed very harsh as the ref had not issued any cards even though there had been many suspicious tackles by Macclesfield. A needless booking, we think it's Rogs fourth of the season. One more and he faces a suspension, very worrying with our lack of cover. Our play was crying out for a goal as the game was there for the taking. It duly arrived 5 minutes from the break as Watkin sent a looping header over Wilson and with a couple of bounces found the net. As it was at the far end it took a double take by the Swans fans that it had gone in and not behind before the celebrations started.
Just as the 2 mins of added time started Macc drew level. An attack down the Macc right saw Howard not for the first time facing 2 players. A low cross into the six-yard box saw the ball bounce of O'Leary into the net. A very cruel scoreline at half time as we had dominated for most of the half, looking more like the home team.
The half time chat saw us still confident of a result, but with the pessimism that it could be a 'game of two halves'. Luckily it was not to be as the Swans carried on where they left off. We again dominated proceedings with the midfield in full control. More and more crude tackles came in from Macclesfield with the ref only giving free kicks but no bookings. The breakthrough came around 50mins. We were awarded a free kick to our right just outside of the penalty area. Smith & Martinez had a brief chat, and the move worked to perfection as a deep cross by Martinez found Smith leaping at the far post sending a powerful header into the far top corner. Surely we wouldn't let Macc back into the game this time. As far as the players were concerned the answer was 'no way', as they battled and chased every ball. Even though time was ticking away we still felt confident of the 3 points. The third came from a bit of class by Martinez around 70mins. The ball rebounded out to the edge of the area where he set up for a volley, only to see a defender blocking goal. In one sweet movement he shifted the ball the slightest to his right and sent a controlled yet powerful shot into the top corner. A piece of class, which most players would just have lashed out at.
So here we were 3-1 up and looking extremely comfortable. Phillips replaced Britton who had taken a few clattering tackles as we easily saw out time with only a couple of long distance shots from Macc. We had one further chance of getting a fourth. Thomas chased and intercepted a back pass and being free on near the corner of the six-yard box tried to place a curving shot into the far corner. It lacked power and was saved by the keeper. His body language showed his lack of confidence as he set up for the shot.
Again the result came from a hard working team effort, but as usual a couple of individual comments.
Although O'Leary scored another own goal, he made amends on numerous occasions with strong tackles and blocks.
Smith was a tower of strength again, encouraging players at every opportunity.
Another much maligned player, Steve Watkin, as well as getting the initial breakthrough, covered vast areas during the game and his target man role was performed to a much higher standard than his previous outings, linking well with the midfield.
Both full backs performed well, especially Howard considering the operation he needs.
Thomas battled well, but does look as if he would benefit from a short rest.
Rog had very little to do, but handled solidly with very few wayward kicks.
The midfield were again a joy to watch. Oh to have had them from the start of the season.
The only downside, was a below par performance from Durkan who although able to cross a ball when not under pressure, did not match the efforts of his teammates.
So a very happy trio, as we are off the bottom and back with the pack. It's now a lot tighter, but we can look forward with confidence to our remaining 16 cup finals. |
Three terrific goals and three precious points. A performance of commitment, cohesion and, at times, no little style. Most of us would have settled for a scrambled last minute winner; we got much more than that - we now have belief that we really can get out of this mire. And our daughter thinks its a lark to support the Swans - we haven't lost since she's been going! Any offers of financial sponsorship?! The Swans turned out once again in their impressive all black strip, but this time without the injured Kevin Nugent to spear the attack. This forced a change in formation to a fluid 4 - 4 - 2. The back four comprised Howard and Evans at full back, with Smith and O'Leary as the centre half pairing (following the injury to Tate). Johnrose, Britton and Martinez formed a solid-looking midfield, with Durkan playing in an advanced wide right midfield role. Watkin and Thomas made up the front two. It was encouraging that from the first whistle it was the visitors who seized the initiative, clearly showing a real belief that teams in this division can be beaten. This new found confidence saw the Swans dominate most of the first half, with our impressive midfield harrassing and closing down the opposition at every opportunity, winning the ball effectively, and moving forward swiftly and fluently when in possession. Indeed, the first 15 minutes should have seen us 2 goals up. In the first minute Durkin cleverly wriggled his way past his marker and delivered a cross which found its way to Thomas at the far post, presenting him with a glorious opportunity - only for his low drive to be saved a point blank range. The other culprit was the other wise impressive Lenny Johnrose, who missed an open goal tap-in from 6 yards after some great approach work by Britton on 14 minutes. In fairness, it seemed that the ball took a bobble just before it reached him - and he responded well, bringing a full stretch save from the home keeper a few minutes later, after an excellent passing move involving Britton and Thomas. As the half wore on, the nippy Britton set up two further chances for his colleagues - the first a Thomas shot which flashed just wide, and the second a looping header from Johnrose which brought an excellent save from the home keeper on the half hour. Our domination had been such in this first 30 minutes, that the home side had been restricted to one snap shot from Lightbourne, easily saved by Roger, and a few angled crosses which were easily snuffed out. In fact, the home frustration became obvious as they increasingly resorted to foul tactics, involving an array of misplaced elbows and tackles from behind. We began to worry that we would be able to turn our possession into goals, but our paience was rewarded on 40 minutes when, following some good approach work from Martinez, a deep cross from Thomas was met by a brave Watkin challenge. The Swans crowd held their breath as Watto's looping header found its way into the net almost in slow motion, to give us a thoroughly deserved lead. And it was a lead which we appeared to be holding comfortably until half time, until we inexplicably hit a self-destruct button in the dying moments of the half. First we allowed a Macclesfield player to get to the bye-line for the first time in the game, and his low cross was somewhat unluckily diverted into his own goal by O'Leary. At this point, the Swans almost lost the plot, and another O'Leary challenge allowed an opportunity David Smith to get a firm strike on goal, which flew just wide. After 45 minutes of domination, we were luckly to go in on terms. This made for an uncomfortable half time interval, not helped by the poor service at the coffee counter, and a brief contretemps with Roary the Lion. The nervousness among the supporters was tangible. Fortunately, he team were not put off their task. They new Macclesfield were there for the taking, and the first 20 minutes of the second half saw the Swans go for the jugular. on 46 miuntes, the impressive Jason Smith headed narrowly wide from a corner. Then on 52 minutes, a surging run from Britton saw him upended by yet another clumsy challenge. Martinez delivered an excellent free kick. and the rising Smith headed home powerfully to restore some sanity to the scoreline. We continued to play positively, looking to put the game out of reach. Lightbourne caused a flutter with a smart shot on the turn, which Freestone saved comfortably, but we were soon back on the attack. On 68 minutes, a swans corner was headed only as far as Martinez on the edge of the box. He controlled tbe ball brilliantly, swept passed a defender, then fired a sweet shot into the roof of the net - a brilliant goal to send the travelling Jacks into raptures. To be fair, the home side rallied a little and forged a couple of chances. O'Leary made one excellent block, and smart volley from Chris Priest flew just wide with Roger beaten. But in truth we never really looked like surrendering our lead, and we nearly extended it on 89 minutes when a curling effort from Thomas was well saved by the home keeper. The final whistle followed shortly afterwards, and the Swans took their well deserved ovation from the 3 - 400 travelling Jack supporters. Freestone - 8 Looked back to his solid best, but in truth wasn't greatly tested. Evans - 8 Very tidy, solid in the challenge, and made some surging forward runs Howard - 7 As above, but fewer forward runs Smith - 9 Led from the heart of the defence, headed everything and popped up with a fine goal. O'Leary - 7 In truth, played well apart from his aberration Britton - 8 Terrorised them with his running and worked tremendously hard. Johnrose - 8 A real work-horse in midfield, and looked impressive going forward Martinez (MOM)- 9 Pulled all the strings from the heart of midfield, and organised the rest. Showed great vision and won the game for us in the second half. Durkan - 6 Looked dangerous in first half; faded in second Thomas - 7 Seemed to lack confidence, but worked hard and looked dangerous at times; his intelligent running stretched the defence Watkin - 8 His best game for some time; good link play to bring midfielders into the game. Scored a fine goal. Phillips - 7 Came on for Britton late on, and worked hard to close them down in the latter stages. Ten points out of twelve and off the bottom. This really was an impressive team effort by a group of players who are now performing with some commitment and real belief. They need to keep the momentum going, of course, but on this evidence the great escape is possible. |
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