Swansea City 2 - 2 Huddersfield Town |
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Stadium: Liberty Stadium
Coca Cola League One Game
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Kickoff: 19.45
Date: Sunday, 26th February 2006
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A dramatic last twenty minutes saw Town snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat in South Wales on Friday night in front of 13,000 fans and the Sky TV cameras. Two defensive mishaps allowed Lee Trundle and Leon Britton to put Swansea two-up before half time, with Phil Senior between the sticks ensuring that that score was not double. Town were given a debatable penalty early in the second half but did not score, Chris Brandon hitting the crossbar, before Martin McIntosh and David Graham rescued the point.
Town started with the same lineup as they did in the 5-0 drubbing of MK Dons six days earlier. Lee Trundle returned from injury for the Swans, with former Town loanee Leon Knight on the bench.
Town started the brighter of the two teams. Chris Brandon found himself between the last defender and the goalkeeper after latching onto a Graham pass in the 2nd minute. His shot from 10 yards was weak and did not challenge City keeper Willy Gueret. Phil Senior was called into action for the first time of the night moments later, when a Nathan Clarke error allowed new signing Rory Fallon to shoot. The Town stopper made an easy catch.
Following some positive play down the right wing from Swansea, dangerman Lee Trundle found himself 10 yards from the Town goal with Chris Brandon between. Trundle turned Brandon and struck a low snapshot, forcing and outstanding save out of Senior who had to adjust his dive in mid air. Three minutes later Rory Fallon found himself unmarked at the far post, but could not direct Britton's outswinging cross goalward.
After 18 minutes the Swans were ahead through Lee Trundle. Indecision between Clarke, McIntosh and Collins allowed the striker to turn onto a hopeful ball on the edge of the area, and finish coolly with his left foot into the side netting, leaving Senior with no chance to save. It took another 15 minutes for the next real action to occur, firstly with Rory Fallon shooting wide from 25 yards, followed by a 20 yard effort by Gary-Taylor Fletcher. Both shots missed by about a yard.
Phil Senior was again called into action in spectacular style, saving a well struck effort from 6 yards from midfielder Robinson. From the resulting Town counter attack, Micheal Collins was unlucky not to level the scores with a well struck left footed drive, which missed by inches. A minutes later, Swansea had doubled their lead. A throw-in caught Nathan Clarke and Martin McIntosh daydreaming, allowing Mcleod to shoot. The shot was saved well by Senior but his parry found it's way to the feet of Leon Britton, who made no mistake at the second attempt.
Half Time
Swansea City 2 - 0 Huddersfield Town
Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Micheal Collins were removed at half time, to be replaced by Danny Schofield and Andy Holdsworth, both who would take up positions in midfield.
Town were caaught napping before the first minute of the half was over, but Phil Senior was on hand to make a great save in a one on one situation with Leon Britton. On 51 minutes it seemed that Town had been handed a lifeline, when David Graham was fouled in the box by onrushing keeper Gueret. The spot kick was taken by Chris Brandon and sent the keeper the wrong way, only to bounce back off the crossbar and to be cleared away to safety.
Town were finally beginning to find their feet, and David Graham was unlucky not to pull a goal back when he showed good skill on the edge of the area to work space for a shot. His curling effort was creeping in at the back post until an outstretched hand palmed it away. Swansea looked to hit back, and, not for the first time, a cross found Rory Fallon unmarked at the back post. Fallon made contact with the ball but could not direct it goalwards.
After 70 minutes Town were finally on the score sheet. A Graham half volley forced Gueret into a save, and the resulting Smith corner was powerfully headed in by defender McItosh at the far post. The confidence levels in the team rose, and Town could have equalised a minute later when Andy Booth did not make a good connection on a McIntosh knock down. Town switched to three up front, with McAliskey replacing Worthington.
9 minutes from time the scores were level. Danny Schofield showed good pace and skill to reach the byline, where he crossed low across the 6 yard box towards David Graham, who tapped in from 6 yards out.
Final Score
Swansea City 2 - 2 Huddersfield Town
Man of the Match: Phil Senior, kept Town in the game on various occasions, to help Town on their way to a very valuable point against promotion rivals.
Swansea City
W Gueret, S Ricketts, K Austin, T Williams, G Monk, A Tate, L Britton, K McLeod, A Robinson, L Trundle, R Fallon
Subs: K O'Leary, R Martinez, A Forbes, L Knight, A Akinfenwa
Huddersfield Town
P Senior, D Mirfin, N Clarke, M McIntosh, D Smith, C Brandon, G Taylor-Fletcher (45 D Schofield) , J Worthington (77 J McAliskey) , M Collins (45 A Holdsworth) , A Booth, D Graham
Subs: P Rachubka, A Holdsworth, D Schofield, T Clarke, J McAliskey
Ref: M Halsey
Att: 13110
Match Report brought to you by,
Neil Armstead, www.Terrier-Bytes.com
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