Report from the game today at the Sportzentrum Friedberg. The opponents were FK Vardar who just managed to stay in the Noeth Macedonian First League last season via a play off.
We reported on FK Vardar this morning.
That’s here —> Saturday Match Day Preview
The game itself saw the Swans start with an inexperienced line up.
E. Watts, Naughton (c), Lissah, Pedersen, Tjoe-A-On, Cotterill, Abdulai, Franco, Smith, Thomas, Congreve.
Subs: Vigouroux, Broome, Key, Fulton, Cabango, Darling, Grimes, Eom, Tymon, Cullen, Cooper, Parker, D. Watts.
That inexperience was evident from the start as the continual pass, pass methodology of the Swans actually created no danger or chances of any note throughout the first half. The slow pace wasn’t helping the Swans to break open the Vardar defence, that is when they did look like they could do something. Dan Watts came on for Kyle Naughton in the first half, but it has to be said neither of these players should be featuring for the first team in two weeks time,
Andy Fisher was missing, as was Josh Ginnelly and Mykola - so head coach Luke Williams was left with one experienced striker in Liam Cullen who he put on the bench. FK Vardar scored on twenty three minutes when the Swans defence were caught sleeping from a long ball out of their own half as Djibril Dianessy outpaced his pursuers to slot home from a difficult angle. The Swans rarely threatened, the desire to keep the ball and prevent the opposition from further opportunities seemed to be the game plan. Passes from the keeper were going out of play, momentum was non existent, and it was quite a frustrating watch.
Much needed doing at the break.
⚽️ First half stats.
A full turnaround of players was the answer with Vigouroux, Key, Darling, Cabango, Tymon, Fulton, Grimes, Cooper, Eom, Parker, Cullen, all replacing the starting line up into the second half.
The Swans did come out far stronger and at more pace for the second forty five. Chances were created, That control now needed dominance to get the equaliser. The Swans pressed, delivery into the opponents penalty area looked more threatening, but didn’t create a positive effect on the game until the sixtieth minute. A wonderful pass from sub Eom started a move which resulted in a fine finish from Gonçalo Franco. That was greeted by cheers and applause from the small Swans contingent in the main stand. It was deserved on the balance of play. The introduction of the more experienced first team players was paying off.
Fulton and Darling were positive in their play, always looking up for a positive forward pass with Vardar just happy to stay defensive and press when they could. It did disrupt the Swans play, but Josh Key was finding space on the right and Eom out left was concentrating the opponents minds. Vardar were happy to foul and disrupt the game but up to the eightieth minute had shown nothing in the second half. And there was a pattern forming entering the last ten of the game. Vardar were beginning to come alive and sense they could get a second goal.
The Swans countered that quite easily, and on eighty three minutes what looked like a goal was adjudged to have not crossed the line. The lack of effectiveness in the penalty area is very clear now. It’s almost as if the club are waiting for the month to turn before adding to their squad. Congreve most certainly was looking to score but his shot was well saved.
It has been a promising summer, but the Swans haven’t done enough to excite the supporters who are getting restless before the big kick off. What we are seeing is a stereotypical Swans transfer window, what will now be a belated shot at getting in the obvious players required all window. With Yates on loan and Mykola (god knows where he is) and Cullen the only experienced striker it’s not going down at all well amongst the Jack Army. Next week we believe may provide a few answers, but it is all getting a bit late.
The Swans did try and get the winner admittedly, but sixteen corners came to nothing. We will have Luke Williams reaction later.
⚽️ Full time stats
Swansea City: Evan Watts (Lawrence Vigouroux 63); Kyle Naughton (captain) (Dan Watts 35) (Josh Key 63), Filip Lissah (Ben Cabango 63), Kristian Pedersen (Harry Darling 63), Nathan Tjoe-A-On (Josh Tymon 63); Joel Cotterill Matt Grimes 63), Azeem Abdulai (Jay Fulton 63), Goncalo Franco (Ollie Cooper 63); Liam Smith (Sam Parker 63), Josh Thomas (Liam Cullen 63), Cameron Congreve (Eom Ji-sung 63).
We admit two parts of the detail in his report are inaccurate, however we won’t be changing them, the effort to provide content by this writer is appreciated. And those few with no manners here or on social media need to grow up and take a deep breath. No respect ? Then you don’t get any from us. Try being adults when responding, grow up and understand this is all free.