Needing our dose of Swansea City the four respective heads of the unofficial Devon Jacks banged their heads together to look upon the holy grail that is the football calendar. After the obligatory checking of the work/family schedule the York City game was decided on as the perfect opportunity to gorge on all things Jack.
4pm from Mark’s salubrious house in Exeter was decided as the meeting point from whence four glorious warriors would head into battle. At an irritatingly late start of 4.08pm (!!!!!!) we set off. A quick stop to get cash for one member descended into the expected farce with complaints about having to pay to use the cash point, also losing house keys and then the realisation that they were, in fact, still at home. We eventually left the services and were on our way!
SatNav told us we would reach our target destination of glory at 6.15pm. Following delays thanks to traffic, with shoppers and commuters both having the audacity to use the motorway for their own needs, our target was revised to 6.31pm. The sooner these people realise the motorway is for football traffic only, the sooner the world can move on and become a better place.
Arrival in Swansea was achieved on time and the four intrepid travellers excitedly entered The Coopers Inn, ready to sample the pre-match atmosphere and cold delight of a beer. The world record attempt of 2 Brains Dark/Guinness in under 25 minutes was dutifully achieved and off we marched to the bright lights of her ladyship in anticipation of goals and glory via a stop at Rossi’s for the essential pre-match chips.
Prior to the game we were enticed into the club shop, to peruse all the wonderful wares that had been carefully laid out to tempt us. One football, two pairs of shin pads and two sports bags later, I hoped my purchases would persuade twin boys to become Jacks of the future instead of succumbing to the evil clutches of more glamorous and high profile clubs, rather than the EPL’s best kept secret. The usual two lucky toilet visits later, and with correct seats found, we were ready for the game that we had travelled two and a half hours to enjoy.
And so, to the game itself! No sooner had we started to complain that we were rubbish than we scored; Eder created confusion in the Minstermen defence allowing Nathan Dyer to pop in to open the scoring. We were playing some fancy, intricate football on a lush green carpet of a pitch but only in what appeared to be second gear. As we had predicted, most of the players had not had a lot of game time so appeared a little rusty. Opportunities were missed by the Swans before York upped their possession and created a good few chances also hitting the bar to scare the Swans into realising that a second goal was needed. As the first half came to an end York City were applauded by their 400 or so faithful who I would imagine were very happy with their team’s efforts. At this point I feel credit should go to the visiting fans who were vocally passionate all night.
The second half continued much as the first half had ended, with possession belonging largely to the Swans. With the team warming to the task a second goal arrived. Matt Grimes (or Ashley Grimes as I call him, too much Corrie) scored the second with a deflected strike. He had missed a stinker in the first half and his corners were a little off; despite this he didn’t hide and deserved his goal and started to look very much at home.
We were now on cruise control and the substitutions started to come thick and fast. Eder continued in his vain search for a goal and put in a real shift, with the potential to divide opinion amongst fans I feel he could become a real cult figure should he be afforded the opportunity. Marvin Emnes arrived in what appeared to be cricket trousers and after a couple of fluffed chances he lashed home the third, meaning the Devon Jacks were ecstatic before the long trip home. Bed was gratefully reached at 1am and I was utterly content with my two personal objectives being achieved:
1. Comfortable passage into the third round.
2. The future Mrs C. becoming a Jack and setting foot inside the Liberty. (She will be voting for Wayne Routledge in "Rear of the Year”)
Players synopsis:
Nordfelt- Comfortable when required and pulled off a couple of good saves.
Rangel- Poor distribution at first and looked tentative in the tackle, but got better as the game went on.
Bartley- Strong and dealt with anything that came his way.
Amat- Good partnership and although not severely tested was good to get game time should he be required.
Tabanou- Did well especially 2nd half. Showed some fancy footwork going forward and strong and determined in the tackle.
Britton- Like he’d never been away. Class act and definitely needed.
Grimes- Poor first half but grew into his role and looked like the pupil and his professor alongside Leon.
Dyer- Another appearing a little rusty despite his goal. York’s defender coped admirably but Nathan kept going and tracked back brilliantly.
Routledge- Distribution was below par at times but another player who grew into the game and the roots of a partnership with Tabanou could well be growing.
Ki-Clearly a class above and had bags of time on the ball. Nothing fancy but good to get minutes under his belt.
Eder-Put a real shift in and was unlucky not to score. Clearly desperate for a goal, and I feel he will ruffle defenders feathers when in place of Gomis.
Subs
Shelvey- Sprayed it round like the good player we all know he is (with the notable exception of Roy Hodgson).
Ayew- No time to do much.
Emnes- (Despite the cricket trousers) he went from the ridiculous to the sublime!
So there you have it, my first match report. Enjoy!