Afan Lido 1 Swansea 2
Wednesday, 15th Aug 2001 00:00

Swans Fightback To Win At Lido

Lido scorer - Jan Ciegelski Swans scorers - Appleby & Mazzina

Swans Line-up J. Jones Rob Shannon M.Bound S.Healy J.Thompson C Draper N.Mazzina L.DeVulgt D.Romo (3 man CM, Draper on right) J.Williams R.Appleby

Subs J.King, R.Evans S.Cole and Alan Curtis (That's what was announced!)

Most of the Swans' came in the second half, after Lido had by far the better of the first, creating many more chance than one would usually expect them (us) to in a LofW game and keeping the Swans comfortably away from their (our) own goal.

A youngish back 4 against Lido's 1st choice, but still rather worrying from a Swans point of view that they (we - we against us again for the Swansea branch of the Lido supporters club - very confusing) were opened up so easily and often. Hollins got to give the not-so-nice guy side of his personality an outing in the dressing room at HT, and there was a large improvement after the break, although Lido still made at made at least as many chances as the Swans and also missed a penalty (struck even higher over the bar than Watkin's effort at clearing the East Stand a few seasons ago, it probably spoiled a sandcastle on Aberafan Beach).

Mazzina was particularly impressive, as was Romo. Appleby did much better as a striker than I thought he would, but Williams? Haven't seen him do anything worthwhile in a Swans shirt yet, this time around. He was the worst of Alsop and Andy Mac rolled into one tonight, and the only time he found the target was when he threw his boot at Lido defender Leighton Jones after a strong challenge which he didn't like.

The ever eccentric refereeing of Phil Southall meant that Williams didn't get sent-off, but was instead sin-binned for 10 mins while another of the youngsters got to run around in his place for a bit! He also shouted "yellow card!" at both Romo and Mazzina, although he may well have been thinking of his day job tomorrow (visit his 'Southall Cards' in the Aberafan Shopping Centre and appreciate the irony of tonight's card-free entertainment).

Appleby's goal was a good powerful header from a right wing cross, while Mazzina's was a ridiculously hard-hit shot from 6 yards after some poor marking.