They may be newcomers to the division, but Roberto Martinez’s Swansea City look a good bet to win a spot in the Championship play-offs after they taught Ipswich a footballing lesson at the Liberty Stadium. Two goals from Jason Scotland, highlighted as the man to watch prior to the game, and a stunning free-kick from Jordi Gomez sealed a comfortable 3-0 win for the Welsh side.
Richard Wright started in goal as usual, with the back four of Alex Bruce, David Wright, Gareth McAuley and Pim Balkestein ahead of his as expected. However, manager Jim Magilton played a five man midfield with Jon Walters occupying the right flank, Alan Quinn on the left. The three-man centre midfield were David Norris, Tommy Miller and Owen Garvan, with Kevin Lisbie alone up front.
Many fans may be surprised to see the 4-5-1 formation used, that has been rather unsuccessful over the past two seasons, while Ipswich have also been playing better away from home with Jon Stead and Kevin Lisbie up front together.
Owen Garvan had the game’s first chance in the opening minute, but his effort flew wide of Dorus de Vries’ post.
Full-back Albert Serran was making his first league appearance for Swansea, but his cross in the third minute was met by Jason Scotland at the near post. The Trinidadian striker did what he does best – score – as he fired past Richard Wright for his fifteenth goal of the 2008/09 season.
GOAL: Swansea City 1-0 Ipswich Town (Jason Scotland)
There were no early signs that the infamous ‘Manager of the Month curse’ had struck Swansea boss Roberto Martinez after he beat opposing manager Jim Magilton to the Championship award in midweek. The Welsh side were retaining possession comfortably with some free-flowing, attacking moves towards the Ipswich goal although there weren’t too many clear cut chances.
Kevin Lisbie was adjudged to be offside in the twelfth minute as he had the ball in the Swansea net, the linesman with the correct decision.
City midfielder Ashley Williams tested Richard Wright with a curling effort inside twenty minutes, as Swansea looked better value for a second goal in the first-half. Jordi Gomez also had a shot blocked by Dutch defender Pim Balkestein. At the other end, Owen Garvan came close twice but was unable to latch onto a Kevin Lisbie pass, before Serran got in the way of the Irishman’s shot.
Scotland was looking for his second game as the first-half wore on, but Balkestein recovered from his mistake to let the Swansa striker pass him to block his effort with a superb challenge. It looked a certain 2-0, only for Pim, who is growing into the centre-back role alongside Gareth McAuley.
The final chance of the half fell to David Norris, but he shot just over from the edge of the box. The ex-Plymouth midfielder was the first name in the referee’s notebook after picking up a booking just minutes before.
The whistle blew for the end of the half, Swansea going in the much happier side after a very impressive first-half. The Blues were by no means out of the game – they had carved out one or two chance but had failed to test de Vries in the home side’s goal.
HALF-TIME: Swansea City 1-0 Ipswich Town
Jon Walters was taken off at the break after a poor showing in the first-half, Pablo Counago his replacement. He was involved in the first chance of the second-half after playing in Norris. The £2 million man sent his shot well wide, as did Tommy Miller just a couple of minutes later – Counago the man who teed up Miller.
While it was a brighter start from the Suffolk side, Town were unable to test the Swansea keeper yet again. They gradually ran out of ideas in an around the box as Swansea came back into the game with Mark Gower and Jordi Gomez, who both had shots saved by Richard Wright.
Danny Haynes was brought on with 25 minutes to go as Jim Magilton attempted to revive Ipswich’s attack, Owen Garvan the man to make way. Alan Quinn moved to centre-midfield, but was soon booked for diving.
How Ipswich would love to have a player like Jason Scotland in their squad, someone who can score goals out of nothing. On 72 minutes, the striker bagged his second of the match and 16th of the season after twisting and turning in the box before blasting a shot past Wright. The furious Town keeper then vented his anger at the defence for allowing such a sloppily conceded goal.
GOAL: Swansea City 2-0 Ipswich Town (Jason Scotland)
Jon Stead made an immediate impression as he came on for the final 15 minutes, but his cross was scrambled away at the far post with Kevin Lisbie ready to pounce. Why didn’t top scorer Stead start the match?
Quinn had the Blues’ best chance of the match in the final stages after his shot from the edge of the box brought a fine save out of de Vries – the first time that the Swansea keeper had been called upon all game.
Jordi Gomez sealed an impressive performance from the home side with a few minutes on the clock. From nearly 40 yards, he gave Wright no chance with the thunderbolt.GOAL: Swansea City 3-0 Ipswich Town (Jordi Gomez)
And to think that Swansea aren’t even in the play-offs. Ipswich appear to have a long way to go if they want to be considered realistic play-off contenders. Swansea were one of the better teams that Town have played this season and last season’s League One champions certainly shouldn’t rule out being a Premiership team next season on this evidence.
Ipswich must now pick themselves up return to winning ways at Portman Road next Saturday against Blackpool.
