Walsall 2 Swansea City 5

Last updated : 28 August 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Swansea ripped Walsall's defence apart in a five-goal spree that doubled their tally for the season.

Although The Saddlers twice came back to equalise, the Welshman polished them off with three goals in seven minutes during a thrilling second half.

It was the Swans who looked more like the home side as they moved forward right from the kick off and took the lead through former Walsall midfielder Roberto Martinez, who was allowed far too much room to put in a 25-yard shot which deflected out of Andy Oakes' reach.

In the 22nd minute Paul Connor missed a great chance to increase Swansea's lead from a cross by man of the match Leon Britton and Wallsall swept straight down the field to score the equaliser.

Matt Fryatt was brought down in the box by Izzy Iriekpen and the promising young Walsall striker stepped up to score from the spot himself.

Shortly before the interval, Wallsall skipper Chris Westwood had a scorching header hit the bar from a free-kick, but two minutes into the second half Swansea when back in front.

Walsall's experienced defender Steve Staunton gave the ball away, enabling Alan Tate and Connor to leave Adebayo Akinfenwa with the simple task of pushing the ball home at the far post.

The Saddlers came back again in the 50th minute with a freak goal that was hotly disputed.

Swansea keeper Willy Gueret had to scramble to try and gather a back header by defender Sam Ricketts and under pressure from Jorge Leitao he carried the ball over the line.

Swansea protested but referee Mike Russell adjudged that the keeper had carried the ball over before any infringement took place.

But it was not long before Swansea got back on top and once again with Akinfenwa passing across goal for Owain Tudur-Jones to add the finishing touches.

One minute later Swansea once again did what they had done throughout the match as they broke from a deep position to threaten a poor Walsall defence.
This time it was Britton whose clever run and pass enabled Kevin McLeod to score and the second attempt after Oakes had parried the first.

Walsall manager Paul Merson brought on Michael Standing and Simon Osborn for Paul Smith and Darren Wrack in the 68th minute to try and put more zip into midfield, but it was Swansea who scored again, this time Connor producing a clinical finish from Britton's pass.

Thereafter both sides had chances with the best falling to Fryatt whose closerange shot was blocked by Gueret but Swansea were good value for their emphatic victory.