Chesterfield 0 Swans 4

REPORT BY HUW HARROW

With a win virtually guaranteeing the Swans a place in the Playoffs, there was much at stake as a 2,000 strong Jack army made the trip up to Saltergate. The atmosphere before the game was buzzing as the team lined up wearing black and without Lee Trundle, a brave decision from Kenny Jackett.

Gueret

Tate Monk Austin Ricketts

Britton Tudur-Jones Robinson MacDonald

Knight Fallon

Subs: Murphy, Williams, Martinez, Akinfenwa, Trundle

The Swans were on the front foot straight away and within 5 minutes Leon Knight gave us the lead. Knight ran on to OTJ's through ball and calmly tucked it into the corner of the net past the keeper's outstretched right hand. The celebrations were dampened a bit when he carelessly got himself booked for taking his shirt off in celebration.

The early goal dented Chesterfield's confidence as they stared the prospect of a record-breaking run of home games without a win in the face. Long balls up to Fallon were putting the Chesterfield defence under pressure and the central midfield combination of OTJ and Robbo were mopping up anything that was sent back the other way. A couple of free kicks on the edge of the Chesterfield area were nearly scrambled in but a wakeup call was given by the Spireites when a corner resulted in a header against the post.

At this point Swansea looked as if they might pay for not making their early domination count with Austin being exposed for pace on regular occasions by Larkin and young Shaun MacDonald giving the ball away a bit too easily at times. However the second goal came from a set piece from which, astonishingly, we had threatened all afternoon. Robinson's delivery was met by Fallon who headed strongly past Roche in the Chesterfield goal. Knight had a golden opportunity to make it 3 before half time but when the ball came to him with just the keeper to beat he shot just wide.

However 2-0 was looking fairly comfortable at half time against a Chesterfield side lacking creativity and news of Forest going 1-0 down at Bradford ensured the Jacks went into the break happy.

Chesterfield came back out stronger after the break and should have got one back when the ball fell to Larkin 10 yards out but his shot was weak and straight at Willy who saved. Monk was a commanding figure at the back and Britton and Knight always looked dangerous on the counter attack. Robinson had a couple of efforts well saved and Knight in particular was having a great game, using his pace to great effect and forcing the keeper to shank a clearance right out of the ground twice in the match. The Swans fans in the terrace behind the goal began understandably to give the opposing stopper some stick, which went too far when one moron threw a bottle at him.

Williams came on for Macdonald who had worked hard all game and Bayo came on for the outstanding Fallon who looked to be suffering from a dead leg. This immediately paid dividends as Bayo's flick on was raced on to by knight who calmly dinked it over the keeper to put the result beyond doubt with just 10 minutes to go. Williams also looked sharp and delivered some good crosses from the left.

Knight executed another good finish just before the end making it 4-0 and earning himself a standing ovation when replaced by Martinez with a minute to go.

Although the result was outstanding, this was by no means a vintage performance with the ball spending most of the game in the air where Fallon up front and Monk at the back excelled themselves. OTJ had his best game since injury and Knight perhaps his best for the club.

Both sets of supporters tried to invade the pitch at the end as the Swansea fans chanted 'the Jacks are going up'. There will be 3 hard games before this is accomplished but with our attacking options on this sort of form we are certainly right in there with a shout.

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