Andy Robinson and
Jason Scotland scored to send a strong pre-season crowd home happy at the Liberty this afternoon as the Swans ended their pre-season with an impressive 2-0 win over Levante.
It was a most impressive performance from the Swans who were in control from start to finish in what was expected to be a tough encounter for them. Levante arrived expected to give the Swans a stern test ahead of the season opener next weekend but that never materialised as a goal either side of half time gave the Swans victory and in truth they were unlucky not to get more in the Swansea sun.
With several new faces in the starting line up and of course the absence of Lee Trundle - now departed these shores - the pre-season optimism looks justified as Oldham await next weekend when the real action starts. Solid home debuts from De Vries, Rangel, Bodde,
Scotland and Duffy (second home debut!) were all plus points as was the performance of everyone else who seems set to make Roberto's starting line up next weekend under the captaincy of the assured and confident Alan Tate.
De Vries
Rangel Tatey
Lawrence M. Painter
Britton Bodde Pratley Robbinson
Duffy
Scotland In truth there was not a weakness in that line up as we constantly were a thorn in the side of our Spanish opposition and gave them no space whilst creating plenty of our own. Bodde pretty much controlled the midfield from his holding position giving Pratley the space to get forward - a role he looks far more accustomed to. With Britton and Robbo a permanent threat on the flanks it was little wonder that Duffy and
Scotland were always looking to get on the end of a ball into the box. And both players had the ball in the back of the net during a first half that the Swans dominated but both goals were disallowed for offside but similarly it's good to remember that both we very well taken as we search for people to replace the goals of Trundle.
But it was Trundle's best mate, Robinson, who gave the Swans the lead just before the interval when he combined well with Duffy and raced clear of the last defenders before slotting confidently home under the keeper. A half time lead was what the Swans deserved and after two minutes of stoppage time it was what they got.
One became two early in the second half as a quick Robinson free kick found
Scotland unmarked and he blasted home his first Liberty goal on his home debut for the Swans, much to the delight of the home faithful. The game was as good as over and Levante used the time remaining to make several subs as did the Swans which is always enough to change the flow of any pre-season game.
Liverpool Loanee Paul Anderson cam extremley close to making the score 3-0 with a cheeky chip over the levante goalkeeper from 30 yards which struck the crossbar.
Swansea though were always in control and Duffy, Anderson and others all came close to adding to the lead as Levante faded further into the background and the game headed towards its conclusion. Anderson, Collins, Bussy and others all came on as Roberto ended his summer's work and started his final preparations towards Boundary Park and the mission to get out of League One.
And on this evidence we have a great chance of making that happen.
Regards to
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