The Swans dampened the debuts of Lee Trundle and Kristian O'Leary at the Gnoll last night, along with fellow debutants Paul Cochlin, Paul Fowler, Craig Hughes and Luke Cummimgs.
A disastrous start to the game on a dreadfully wet night cost us the chance of competing against a strong Swans side, as new signing Scott Donnelly and big fin Shefki Kuqi got the early goals. The visitors controlled the early exchanges and could have scored another as a thunderbolt from Stephen Dobbie rebounded off a post and Wyn Walters made a good save from Kuqi.
Eventually we came into the game and Kristian O'Leary on debut began to show his quality at keeping the ball and bringing others into play. We started to pass the ball in midfield and progress towards making chances and it turned into a much more even contest before half-time. The moment of the match came as Lee Trundle took a quick free kick from 25 yards and sent a shot curling agonisingly wide.
The second half brought a host of changes from both sides which curtailed the chances in front of goal with Neath trialist and former Swan Adam Orme forcing an outstanding save from David Cornell in the Swans goal. Jazz Richards had a goal disallowed from offside and it remained 2-0 until the end.
Both Lee Trundle who came off in the 72nd minute and Kristian O'Leary in the 65th recieved tremendous receptions from the large crowd at the Gnoll. Despite the weather it was a great evening and a game played in a good competitive spirit.
Neath FC: Walters (Morris 46), Hillier (Cummings 56), Fairbairn, O'Leary (Cooper 65) Cochlin, Hancock, Morgan (Pockett 46 (Thomas 52), Fowler (Evans 46), Hill (Davey 79), Trundle (Orme 72), Hughes.
Swansea City: Cornell, Richards (Alfei, 65), Grimes, Serran (Walsh, 65), Tate (Taylor, 46), Lopez (Shaun MacDonald, 46), Donnelly, van der Gunn (Thomas, 46), Dobbie (Lucas, 65), Dean MacDonald, Kuqi (Pintado, 46)
Subs not used: Prosser, Smith
Photo (top) Lee Trundle is challenged by Jamie Grimes and (bottom) Trunds signs an autograph after the game.