Issue 153

Swansea make final eight

26th February 2007

Swansea eased to victory over Lincoln in the first knockout round of the BUSA championship at Sketty Lane thanks to some clinical finishing and an impressive rear-guard action.

Swansea were quickest out of the blocks, led from the front by outstanding skipper Tom Hopper. Within a minute Hopper had his first sight of goal after a good break down the left, but his shot was blocked. A minute later Swansea were on the attack again, Hopper escaping down the left and firing in a low cross for striker Vinny Wattleworth but the shot was stopped.

Lincoln's early frustration showed when, after 5 minutes, winger Peter Williams lunged late. The game threatened to boil over soon after when Swansea's Tom Donald flew into a twofooted challenge on Lincoln full-back Josh Richards.

Donald was lucky to escape unpunished, while Richards was lucky to escape with his left shin intact. Swansea went ahead after 35 minutes, and it came as no surprise that Hopper was the architect. Lincoln cleared from a corner but the defence stood still as Hopper latched onto a high ball and his cross squirmed under the goalkeeper and Wattleworth tapped in from 5 yards.

Lincoln then lost concentration from the kick off and Swansea forward James Morris found himself in the clear, but his composure deserted him and his shot went harmlessly wide.

On the stroke of half time Swansea keeper John Chorley was finally called into action, punching clear a free kick.

Swansea went in at half time in complete control. Lincoln had failed to create a single opening, whilst Swansea, through Tom Hopper, had been inventive in attack and solid in defence. The referee also began to regain control after a fiery opening.

Lincoln changed tactics at half time, sending the pacy Charlie Opare onto the left wing and it immediately paid off. Opare cut in from his wing and sent in a teasing cross, but David Thomas, the rock in Swansea's defence, headed clear. Lincoln were beginning to grow in confidence, Tom O'Hara also finding room for a cross, but couldn't create a clear cut chance.

On the hour, and against the run of play, Swansea hit the killer blow. A long throw from Thomas was flicked on by Hopper to the feet of James Morris who immediately swiveled and stoked home to put Swansea 2-0 up.

Within a minute of the restart Swansea should have been three ahaed. A magical through ball from Dave Truan released Morris down the right. He rounded the keeper and crossed, only for Hopper to head over when it appeared easier to score.

It took until the 67th minute for Lincoln to record their first shot, a wild 30 yard drive from Opara that ended up out of the ground. Opara, ever busy, then found more space on the left to cross, but O'Hara wasted the chance, heading straight at the keeper.

The game was over as a contest ten minutes from time as the tireless Wattleworth broke down the right flank, beat his marker, and squared for Donald to slot home.

And Swansea were not done there. A late penalty, conceded by Andy Adlington, was converted by Morris to put a gloss on the final score and send Swansea into the next round brimming with confidence.

Swansea captain Tom Hopper was delighted with his team's performance, claiming that it was both their "motivation and clinical finishing" that saw them through, and that this win "put right the disappointment of last year"..He also reserved special praise for man-ofthe- match David Thomas, who was magnificent throughout.

Lincoln manager Dave Thorpe, visibly disappointed by the result, concurred that it was Swansea's "clinical finishing in the final third" that was the difference between the two sides. He did praise captain Ben Greavsley, who battled well in midfield.

Swansea will go away brimming with confidence after a four-goal victory, and having been far the more creative side. Lincoln will know, however, that despite the score line suggesting differently, Swansea never controlled this game, and will be disappointed with their lack of chances.

Tom Mooney