Swansea Away Won 1 – 2 , We are unbeaten in Wales
It’s difficult to keep abreast of Tonda’s rotational changes, still less second guess him, but we all appreciate why he has to make them. At Swansea we had Wood in for Stephens and there were returns for Downes, Jander, Azaz, Scienza and Stewart. Maybe it’s making causes fit effect, not to say dismissing the Welsh side’s own efforts, but some of our players were beginning to look tired. Mentally, they were out-thought for the opening goal on 20 minutes: Eom fooled us with what looked to be a long throw but wasn’t, and we didn’t expect Vipotnik to drop off at the back post when a cross eventually came in, easily beating Manning in the air – even so, there were plenty of defenders slow to react when Stamenić stabbed the ball in from close range. Our best chance of the first half fell to Bree who didn’t put the laces through his effort, while Downes was perhaps fortunate only to be cautioned for his part in a scrap with Widell. Things needed freshening up and Downes was excused further windings-up at the break, being replaced by Charles. For whatever reason, we looked a better side from the restart and the reward was an equaliser before the hour, Scienza getting enough on a cross to send it towards Charles who scored with a header, a goal that had been looking likely for a while. There were thoughts of it being ‘one of those days’ when Azaz and substitute Larin failed to connect with low crosses, although Wood’s earlier challenge on Eom had looked worthy of loud penalty appeals – I’m told it may have been outside the area anyway. Manager Eckert was clearly not satisfied with a point as he brought on Archer for Bree in a late move to a back three. Almost immediately his boldness was rewarded as Archer was given time to volley Jander’s cross, Fulton’s goal-line clearance not enough to keep the ball out. The Swans looked too deflated to react with only added time remaining.
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
3. Ryan Manning, with a number of telling crosses added to his defensive shift.
6. Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Current form means a late challenge by him for player of the year.
24. Shea Charles. Not sure why he doesn’t always start.
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