When for once Swansea City's rearguard did not hold all the aces, the jokers in Kenny Jackett's pack came up trumps. After almost three months, Swansea's remarkable record of not conceding on their own patch came to an end last night.But any fears that their winning sequence would go with it proved unfounded thanks to the Scouse duo who keep fans and team-mates alike royally entertained. Not surprisingly given that another three points had just been secured, Lee Trundle and Andy Robinson did not appear too concerned that Swansea's miserly rearguard had for once been breached as they headed out of the Vetch last night. Robinson, whose two previous goals this season had come on the road, could not recall his last strike on home soil. ''When did I last score here?'' he asked of his mate from Merseyside as they strolled towards the car park.
''Can't remember,'' Trundle said. ''When did you last score here?'' Robinson replied. ''Last week,'' Trundle grinned. Typical banter from a double act who regularly have their playing colleagues in stitches and teamed up on the pitch against Darlington to prompt almost 8,000 smiles. Whatever Jackett thinks of Brian Flynn's Swansea legacy, he must be grateful that his predecessor left these two stars. After 21 goals last season, Trundle's strike rate in 2004-5 is now gathering pace. He has registered four times in four matches - good news for Jackett as he attempts to mastermind a promotion-winning campaign.
The manager will welcome the contribution of Robinson, too, who had in fact not netted in front of his own fans since the defeat by Hull in early April. ''The two Scousers have both got good character,'' Jackett said. ''They both closed down very well and worked very hard to get us this win.''They both catch the eye with their ability on the ball and on this occasion they did it with their goals.'' | SWANSEA | | Gueret | | Austin | | Gurney | | Monk | | Ricketts | | Martinez | | O'Leary | | Connor | | Forbes | | Trundle | | Robinson | DARLINGTON | | Russell | | Liddle | | McGurk | | Valentine | | Close | | Keltie | | Maddison | | Wainwright | | Armstrong | | Clarke | | Wujnhard | REFEREE | | A Marriner | ATTENDANCE | | 7,824 |
Trundle and Robinson took charge just as Swansea's followers had begun to contemplate the prospect of a first home defeat since the opening day of the season. Jackett's men had already forged three chances - all involving you know who - by the time Darlington added only a fourth goal to their hosts' against column at the Vetch this term. Robinson made Darlo keeper Sam Russell stretch with a curling 20-yarder, then the 25-year-old midfielder supplied Trundle for a shot which whistled above the woodwork. Even when Paul Connor looped a header narrowly over the bar 21 minutes in, things were looking good for the home side.
Goals | They were soon coming to terms with going behind, though, when visiting skipper Craig Liddle found space at a set-piece. His back-post volley looked like more of a cross than a shot, but Willy Gueret was left in a helpless heap as the ball deflected off Andy Gurney's head and into the net. Swansea were entitled to feel a little unfortunate, for this was Darlington's only attempt on goal - if that is the right description - in the first period. ''I did wonder if it might have been one of those nights,'' Jackett admitted. He could have been fearing the worst when Kris O'Leary's hopeful drive was diverted straight into Russell's arms by Gurney, then again when Robinson bent a free-kick on to the angle of post and bar after Trundle had been fouled. | | Swansea | | Trundle (55) | | Robinson (59) | | Darlington | | Liddle (26) | | Card Count | | Booked | | Swansea | | Connor 70 | | Darlington | | Close 8 | | Clarke 58 | | Sent Off | | Swansea | | None | | Darlington | | None | | Match Pictures |
But if there was any panic in the stands at the break, there was none in the dressing room. ''We just made a couple of tactical adjustments and it worked,'' Jackett said. Having produced the greater chances without being at their very best in the first-half, his side moved up a gear after the restart. Adrian Forbes fired a warning from Robinson's corner, his shot deflecting wide off Brian Close. Then the equaliser arrived from the pass of the night, an outstanding delivery from halfway from the weaker left foot of Roberto Martinez. Sent in on the left edge of the box, Trundle controlled, rolled round the challenge of David McGurk and lashed a shot across Russell which the ex-Middlesbrough stopper could only palm on to the inside of the post. Trundle and Co were dancing in front of the North Bank as the ball bounced over the line, and they were at it again inside four minutes after Forbes won a free-kick 30 yards from goal. Gurney's piledriver was only parried, and Robinson advanced ahead of Connor to crash home the winner from close range. Darlo battled back, but their continued failure to create any clear-cut openings for ex-Premiership frontmen Alun Armstrong and Clyde Wijnhard meant it did not matter when substitute Kevin Nugent's late header came back off the bar. Breached at the Vetch at last, there was no need for a Trundle-Robinson routine to keep Swansea happy at training today, for they are where they want to be. Back on top of the league.
SOURCE: SOUTH WALES EVENING POST |
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