Swansea Win Keeps Promotion Hopes Alive

Swansea City recorded a fine win over relegation threatened Cambridge United to help boost their own chances of promotion to League One with a 3-0 victory at the Vetch which saw a brace from talismanic man-of-the-match striker Lee Trundle.

Swansea boss Kenny Jackett fielded a 4-4-2 formation which included defender Sam Ricketts following a disappointing week of international football with Wales, while Kevin McLeod replaced Paul Connor on the left of midfield.

Swansea dominated the first half with both strikers wasting chances of breaking the deadlock, Thorpe missing the target with a header and Trundle heading over from a McLoed corner.

United meanwhile were happy to break on the counter, producing several chances to open the scoring, but a combination of inspired goalkeeping by Willy Gueret, saving from Iwan Roberts and woeful finishing meant both sides would be goalless at half time.

Both teams emerged for the second half unchanged and it was Cambridge who had the first attempt of the half as the Swansea defence was caught sleeping, Gueret was out of position and Tes Bramble failed to convert when faced with an open goal, with Jacks defender Izzy Iriekpen directing the ball over the bar.

Ten minutes in and Swansea boss Kenny Jackett brought Andy Robinson on to replace Kevin McLeod down the left, and the midfielder’s introduction was inspired stuff as he opened the scoring for Swansea just after the hour mark, firing Lee Trundle’s cross into the far corner of the goal.

Robinson’s goal was a catalyst that sparked the Welsh team into action, and they gradually began to take control of the game with Trundle going close to doubling the lead but for a save from Cambridge keeper Ruddy.

As the game went on there was only one winner from this outcome, and that was magnified with less than 10 minutes to go as Robinson this time turned provider to set striker Lee Trundle up for a similar goal to the first, doubling Swansea’s lead and all but ensuring Cambridge would face a long journey home with no points to show for themselves.

Cambridge did have an attempt on goal soon after, albeit a 20-yarder narrowly missing the crossbar.

However, today was Swansea’s day, extending their excellent run over Easter as Lee Trundle doubled his tally for the game just two minutes from time to seal defeat for The U’s, firing past Ruddy at the near post from a flick by Thorpe,

From the restart Swansea again pressed in search of another goal to boost a goal difference which could prove crucial at the end of the season if needed, however, 3-0 was to be the final score, moving Swansea up to 3^rd in the league, into the automatic promotion zone, as teams around them slipped up this weekend.

Kenny Jackett’s men travel to Lincoln for a massive game next weekend with three points a must for both teams as the season draws to a close.

Coca-Cola League Two, Saturday 2nd April 2005 @ 15:00; Vetch Field
Robinson 66 Trundle 83, 88
Starting Line-ups 27 Gueret 6 2 Ricketts (Gurney 90) 7 16 Monk 7 3 Austin 6 22 Iriekpen 6 7 Britton 5 4 O'Leary 6 6 Martinez 5 29 McLeod (Robinson 55) 5 12 Thorpe 6 10 Trundle 8 Substitutes 19 Gurney (Ricketts 90) 30 Bean 11 Forbes 17 Connor 18 Robinson (McLeod 55) 7	13 Goal Attempts 8 5 On Target 3 8 Off Target 5 0 Hit Woodwork 0 6 Offsides 2 5 Corners 4 12 Fouls 14 Man of the Match: Lee Trundle Attendance: 8,664 Referee: L Probert	Starting Line-ups 33 Ruddy 6 30 Newey 6 6 Goodhind 6 5 Tann 7 4 Duncan 6 8 Toner (Latte-Yedo 80) 6 25 Nicholls 5 13 Somner 6 9 Chillingworth (Turner 74) 6 27 Roberts (Tudor 66) 5 17 Bramble 5 Substitutes 12 Latte-Yedo (Toner 80) 7 Tudor (Roberts 66) 5 16 Quinton 23 Blackburn 15 Turner (Chillingworth 74)