SCOUSE firebrand Andy Robinson last night vowed to 'calm down' to help guide Swansea City to promotion, writes PETER SHUTTLEWORTH.
Robbo has seen red once this term and been booked six times - prompting a dressing room wag at the Vetch to enjoy a laugh at his expense.

The midfield battler received a pack of red and yellow cards, stress relief tablets and a leaflet on anger management when Swans players unwrapped Christmas gifts.

"I opened my presents and all these red and yellow cards fell out!" said Robinson.

"It was all good banter. I give stick so I had to take it. It shows there is a very good team spirit at Swansea.

"Enjoyment and a good team spirit is a recipe for success and we've both in abundance."

The 25-year-old appreciated the funny side but blames his misdemeanours on 'frustration' at not seeing enough of the ball.

His explanation has earned some sympathy from club boss Kenny Jackett, who is only too aware that losing Robinson to suspension would be a major blow to the Swans' promotion drive.

With an all-action style and his happy knack of chipping in with goals, Robbo is a key performer and Jackett has already moved to try and ensure his hot-headed star cools down.

"I have shown my frustration in the wrong ways so Kenny has sat me down and told me to be a bit more patient," said Robinson.

"But I have spent 40 or so minutes out on the wing during games and not had a touch of the ball. That's frustrating as I am desperate to put my stamp on the game.

"I do prefer playing in the middle of the park as I'm able to enjoy more possession, have more of an effect on the game and create more chances.

"This season I've played on the left hand side as Kenny likes more defence-minded midfielders in the centre with two forward-minded wingers pushing on to help the front two.

"I don't mind that because I just want to play but I've put the idea in the gaffer's mind that I want to play in the middle to be more involved in games.

"My sending-off at Shrewsbury in November was stupid. All I want to do is win so much and sometimes I show it in the wrong way but Kenny wants me to channel my aggression.

"That's to influence the play and if I can do that, Swansea will be getting the best out of me and I'll be getting the best from Swansea. But I'll be careful not to lose my edge on the pitch because being a competitor is my strength and I want to win games."

SWANSEA City's FA Cup heroics were cruelly put on ice as a late Ivar Ingimarsson thunderbolt saved Reading's third round blushes at the Madejski Stadium.

The Icelandic international defender let rip with a 25-yard stunner three minutes before time after Kenny Jackett's lower-division disciples had bravely battled for 55 minutes to keep out rampant Reading and cling on to a lead handed to them by prolific Paul Connor, a goal scorer in every round so far.

But Ingimarsson's leveller was controversial, as Swans supremo Jackett said: "My players thought Ijah Anderson was fouled in the build-up.

"I can't say I saw it, but he felt he was pushed over. I haven't followed it up because there's nothing I can do about it now. That's football."

Before Ingimarsson's 'get out of jail free' card, home boss Steve Coppell must have feared Championship high-flyers Reading's woeful FA Cup tradition would continue, while the Swans players believed they'd created another FA Cup upset.

Ingimarsson had other ideas and plunged a dagger into the visitors' hearts with Reading's first goal in approximately 400 minutes of football.

Jackett insisted a draw pleased him but not his 'dejected' charges.

The Swans players felt yesterday's more than creditable draw - against a team 47 places above them and gunning full pelt for promotion to the Premiership - may have been a wasted opportunity.

Jackett, however, is upbeat. And the 3,700 dedicated Swans fans who trudged back down the M4 last night still dream of a big name in the next round and a cup run to rival last season's fifth- round heroics.

Victory would have swelled the club's coffers by a further £40,000 in prize money and that would have made Swansea's directors smile more - adding to the £40,000 already banked from this cup journey - but consolation will surely come from a full-to-bursting Vetch Field on Tuesday week.

As Jackett said: "My chairman will be happy as this is our second home FA Cup replay this season!

"We took Stockport back to the Vetch in the previous round and now we've done well in turning this from an away draw into a home draw."

Jackett, though, admitted he thought he'd guided his team into round four, saying: "I thought we'd done enough to win the game.

"We dealt well with a lot of Reading pressure, but when you get through to three minutes before the end, you start to hope and think we'd do it. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be."

Reading's unbeaten home record was dented by Derby last Monday and Coppell was fearing back-to-back Madejski defeats until defender Ingimarsson scored. "We had so many promising positions but didn't create enough chances as I'd like," he said.

"I never thought the game was lost. I always believe my team will get some luck, but when the clock was running down I was slightly concerned.

"We're disappointed that we haven't gone through, but Swansea can be proud of their players.

"They're a good solid outfit and are not embarrassed by the ball. They were a handful and caused us problems. They had a well-disciplined and organised game plan and yet when they had the ball they still tried to attack us and they had players who can hurt."

Coppell was without top-scoring striker Dave Kitson, but debutant Les Ferdinand, the 1996 PFA Player Of The Year signed from Bolton, showed his vast experience and quality as the ex-England international was at the heart of all Reading's early attacking.

And he should have opened his Royals' account in the third minute, but headed Bobby Convey's corner wide when it looked easier to hit the target.

Ferdinand, revelling in his first start for three months, then teed up stalwart Nicky Forster to fire wide before flicking Convey's corner to Forster's right foot. Somehow his partner stabbed the ball wide from five yards.

Swansea's bumper travelling army - 25 per cent of yesterday's crowd - watched their team weather Reading's storm before erupting on 32 minutes as Connor sent them into raptures.

Lee Trundle collected Sam Ricketts' deflected right-wing cross, and although his shot was partially blocked, Connor reacted quickest to slide home.

Connor's ninth goal of the season was his fifth in seven, the perfect answer for the £35,000 signing after being dropped by Jackett after an ultimately unsuccessful top-of-the-table showdown at Scunthorpe.

The 38-year-old Ferdinand passed up another glorious opening just before the interval at the near post following Harper's dance into the area and accurate centre.

Then Steve Sidwell, stand-in skipper for crocked Graham Murty, had a 25-yard pile-driver headed off the line by Forbes.

Coppell must have given his players a right Royal roasting at the break as the hosts cranked up the heat on the battling Swans. Ferdinand again was guilty of missing another great opportunity following a slick move down Reading's right-flank involving Andy Hughes, Glen Little and Forster.

Ferdinand then out-jumped marooned visiting keeper Gueret to head Convey's corner goalwards, but Forbes acrobatically cleared off the line again.

Ferdinand led the Reading players' claim that the ball had crossed the line but ref Clive Penton was having none of it.

The debate about the pros and cons of introducing goal-line technology just won't go away.

That was Ferdinand's last contribution as his lack of match-fitness was an obvious concern for Coppell and Lloyd Owusu.

The visiting defence resembled The Alamo as the Swans couldn't get out from their own half.

But Swansea should have sealed their lead with 10 minutes remaining as Britton broke free down the right.

He should have crossed for sub Anderson, but tried to go alone and the move broke down.

Reading's appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears with official Penton.

Nicky Shorey's dash down the left wing caused mayhem and it appeared that Garry Monk handled.

Then Ingimarsson struck.

Goodfellow impressed whilst on loan at Swansea in December

Swansea manager Kenny Jackett says he is not prepared to meet Bristol City's valuation of Marc Goodfellow.
The winger impressed on loan at the Vetch last month with four goals in eight games before being recalled.

"Bristol paid between £50-100,000 for him and are looking for something similar from us," Jackett told the BBC.

"I'm not prepared to pay that so it looks as if it's gone as far as it can. I was very pleased with Marc and hope the loan helped resurrect his career."



Reading seal deal for Ferdinand

Ferdinand made 17 appearances for England, scoring five goals

Reading have completed the signing of 38-year-old former England international Les Ferdinand.
The striker has signed until the end of the season and will be eligible for Saturday's FA Cup tie against Swansea.

Reading boss Steve Coppell said Ferdinand, who left Bolton by mutual consent on 2 January, would boost his team's promotion bid.

"I hope he will boost our goalscoring capabilities and be a catalyst for the whole team," he told Reading's website.

Chairman John Madejski said the signing underlined Reading's ambitions to reach the Premiership.

"He is without doubt one of the greatest English strikers of the last decade and his goalscoring record speaks for itself," he told Reading's website.

"He is much more than just a goalscorer though, and I am sure his arrival will be a huge benefit to our whole squad."

Madejski Stadium
Saturday, 8 January
Third Round
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Referee: Clive Penton (Sussex)



KEY MATCH STATS


READING and Swansea clash at the Madejski Stadium, with both going well in their respective divisions. The former are fourth in the Championship, seven points off the pace and five points short of a top two promotion spot. They've been paired with Swansea for the fourth time in the FA Cup and are looking for their first victory over them in the competition since 1927.

The Royals have been beaten in third round replays in each of the last two years and in three of the last five years. They've not been beyond this stage since reaching the fifth round seven years ago.

Reading were last beaten in the FA Cup by lower ranked opposition when a Second Division club three years ago. Third Division York defeated them 2-0 at Bootham Crescent in the Second Round on 8 December 2001.

SWANSEA CITY lie 47 places below Reading on the League ladder at third in League Two. Kenny Jackett's side are four points off the pace and in one of the three automatic promotions spots. They've won five of the last six League and Cup games.

Last season the Welsh club achieved their longest Cup run for 24 years, when they reached the fifth round for the first time since 1980.

The 2-1 fourth round victory, home to then Nationwide Division One Preston last season, was the last time the Third Division Welsh side had knocked out a club from a higher league. Preston had incidentally dismissed Reading in the previous round.

Roberto Martinez is clinging to the hope that he will be fit for Saturday's third-round FA Cup clash with Reading. Martinez has had constant treatment from club physio Richard Evans on the hamstring injury he picked up in the dying seconds of Monday's win over Rushden & Diamonds.

The Spanish midfielder reckons it is still too soon to say whether he will be fit by the weekend.

''At the moment we cannot give a full verdict on the injury, even the physio cannot make any decision yet,'' said Martinez.

''It is looking very doubtful at the moment, but I don't want to make a prediction too early as there are still 48 hours to the game. I am not throwing in the towel just yet.

''It is still a little sore where the knee went into my leg, and it may be a small tear. But every day it is getting easier, so we will keep hoping.''

While Martinez is keen to play against the League One side, he will not risk a longer spell on the sidelines.

''As a player you want to play in every game,'' he added. ''I love the FA Cup, it is a great competition, but the league is our priority and if I would have to miss any game then I would pick this one.

''If I don't play against Reading that would give me extra time to make sure I am fit for the league match with Wycombe next week.

''By then I would have had some 12 days concentrated treatment on the injury, so hopefully it would be totally right.''

If, as is appearing more likely, Martinez does miss Saturday's clash, it would leave Swansea without their captain and the suspended Alan Tate in midfield.

But the 31-year-old reckons that even without key men Kenny Jackett's side has enough to get at least a draw with Steve Coppell's Premiership promotion hopefuls.

''That would be a fantastic result,'' said the skipper. ''We earned a replay with Stockport and beat them at Vetch Field and it would be great to have another night like that.

''Reading were unbeaten at home before they played Derby on Monday. They lost that so they are beatable. They are also without their top scorer Dave Kitson, who is injured.

''Of course they have home advantage, but I think we have a chance to cause one of the upsets of the round by getting a victory.''

Swansea expect the remaining 200 of the 2,500 tickets they have received from Reading to be sold today, but point out that there are still 1,500 seats available to fans which can be bought at the stadium on the day.

If Swansea do earn a replay with Reading it will take place on Tuesday, January 18 (7.45pm) unless Sky choose the game to be televised.

The FAW Trophy game with Caernarfon will be shown on BBC Wales and has been confirmed as a 7pm kick-off on Wednesday, January 26.

Meanwhile, Swansea's League Two match with Oxford has been brought forward a day to Friday, April 15 (7.45pm) to avoid a clash with the two FA Cup semi-finals which take place at the Millennium Stadium that weekend.

IF Swansea City were looking for an example of how moving to a new stadium can help drive a club forward, they need look no further than their FA Cup opponents.

It is six years since Reading, who host Kenny Jackett's League Two side in the third round this weekend, swapped their crumbling old Elm Park ground for the gleaming all-seater Madejski Stadium.

In that time, the Berkshire club have gone from flirting with relegation to the old Division Three to one aspiring to a place among the Premiership elite.

So, with Swansea preparing to leave their ageing old ground for a swish new 20,000-seater stadium at Morfa next season, Saturday's short trip to the Madejski will represent a glimpse of things to come for the League Two side.

And, says the Swans' former Reading defender Andy Gurney, the Royals have set an example Swansea must aim to copy over the next few years.

"Reading are the perfect example of not only what's happening at Swansea this year, but also what we hope it will lead to in the future," said Gurney, who spent two and a half years at Reading from January have made over the past few years.

"In their first season at the Madejski Stadium they finished mid-table in Division Two - but they're now pushing for the Premiership.

"Swansea move into a new stadium next season and we’re obviously hoping it can help push us up through the leagues as well.

"Reading's new stadium helped the team in all sorts of ways. It brought in the crowds, that in turn boosted the club's finances and you also benefit from an increase in the corporate side of things. Things just tend to snowball

"There's massive potential at Swansea for a similar thing to happen. And you could see it happening on a bigger scale down here. Reading isn't exactly a footballing hotbed, but the catchment area for Swansea is huge."

Like the Vetch Field, Reading's old ground became outdated and was strangling the club's attempts to make progress, both on and off the pitch.

The switch to the multi-purpose Madejski changed all that and, after spending a few more seasons than they would've liked fumbling about in Division Two, top-flight football is now on Reading's agenda.

"Reading were midway through their first season at the Madejski when I went there from Torquay," said Gurney.

"But I remember from playing there with Bristol Rovers that the old ground, Elm Park, was falling apart at the seams.

"Like the Vetch Field, it had seen better days and Reading knew they had to have a new stadium in order to move forward.

"After a few seasons at their new home, Reading won promotion to what's now the Championship and, even though their current squad isn't exactly star-studded, they're hopeful of reaching the Premiership.

"There's no doubt the new stadium has really helped push Reading forward and that's exactly what we hope will happen at Swansea.

"We're confident we can climb up to League One and, once we're in the new stadium next season, the aim would then be to push towards the Championship.

"We realise that's still a long way off. There’s still a lot of football to be played this season and all we can concentrate on at the moment is making sure we remain in the running for automatic promotion.

"But the potential is there and, if we can try and get the fans pouring into the new stadium next season, who knows what we can achieve."

On the pitch, Gurney can hardly wait for Saturday's encounter - and not just because he's returning to the club that lavished £100,000 to sign him from Torquay six years ago.

The player who arrived at the Vetch from Swindon in September has missed the last three matches after picking up a somewhat needless red card for violent conduct at Kidderminster on Boxing Day.

"It was disappointing to sit out three games for something so silly," said the 30-year-old, who could form part of a makeshift Swans midfield against Steve Coppell's men with Roberto Martinez an injury doubt and Alan Tate out suspended.

"As soon as I did it (kicking midfielder Simon Russell in the calf), I said to myself 'What are you doing?' It was silly.

"But I'm looking forward to hopefully being back in the side at Reading and perhaps helping us to cause an upset.

"It won't be easy because Reading have only lost once at home this season (against Derby County on Monday) and Steve Coppell has a record for making teams hard to beat.

"But, if we're at our best and Reading are a bit below par, then we've got a good chance. They'll be no pressure on us and whatever we can achieve up there will be a bonus."

Leon Britton hopes a midfield fix could hand him the chance to re-ignite his Swansea City career at Reading this weekend. The popular former West Ham man has played only a bit-part role at Vetch Field this season, with just three starts coming since August.

Now Britton has fingers crossed that injury problems for Kristian O'Leary and Roberto Martinez, plus Alan Tate's suspension, could mean a taste of FA Cup third-round action at the Madejski Stadium.

"I'm not expecting anything, but of course I'm hoping for a game," the 22-year-old said.

"My last start was against Bristol Rovers in early November and I've only completed two games since the first couple of weeks of the season.

"The problem is I don't think the manager wants me to play in central midfield or on the left, so I'm really fighting with Adrian Forbes and Brad Maylett for a place on the right.

"But all I can do is keep on trying in training and waiting for a chance. Maybe that will come at Reading, whether it's from the start or from the bench.

"Hopefully it will, because it's a big game against one of the best sides in the Championship and I'd love to be involved."

Club skipper Martinez seems certain to miss out despite receiving some encouraging news on the leg injury collected in Monday's win at Rushden & Diamonds.

"Roberto went into the game with a slight hamstring strain and then got a knee right on the sore area," explained Vetch physio Richie Evans.

"That makes him very doubtful for Reading.

"We'll probably work with a view to getting the problem right in time for our next league game with Wycombe (on January 15)."

Evans's assessment of knee-ligament victim O'Leary was not so positive, with the 27-year-old facing another three weeks on the sidelines.

"We had hoped it would be only a month, but it now looks like a six-week lay-off," he added.

Tickets for Reading are available all week from Swansea's William Street ticket office priced £13 for adults and £5 concessions - at least £3 cheaper than they will be on the day.

Almost half Swansea's 4,000 allocation has already sold, with the club forecasting a travelling support in excess of 3,000.

Coach bookings, at the subsidised priced of £6, are being taken until 4pm tomorrow.

Twenty buses, departing from Glamorgan Street at 10.45am on Saturday, have so far been filled.

The club are warning fans that there will be no service station stops en route due to the size of the convoy.

Swansea City are set to rely on a makeshift midfield in their daunting FA Cup clash with Reading on Saturday after yesterday's win at Rushden & Diamonds came at a price.


Roberto Martinez seems certain to miss the trip to the Madejski Stadium after collecting a worrying leg injury in the dying minutes of the 2-0 Nene Park win.
The Vetch Field club captain hobbled off after early strikes from Paul Connor and Andy Robinson saw Swansea bounce back from their New Year's Day defeat by Yeovil to maintain their League Two promotion push. But with Alan Tate suspended after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season last Saturday and Kris O'Leary unlikely to recover from a knee problem, Kenny Jackett is nursing a selection headache ahead of a testing tie against Steve Coppell's Premiership hopefuls.

''We'll have to wait and see how bad Roberto's injury is, but if he does miss out we'll have spaces to fill in midfield at Reading,'' Jackett said. ''Alan is suspended and I'll be very surprised if Kris is fit. We do have Leon Britton, Gary Fisken is on his way back (from a knee injury) and Andy Robinson can play there.

''We also have versatile players at the back in Sam Ricketts, who could play on the left of midfield, and Andy Gurney, who is back from suspension, so that gives me some flexibility.''

Man-of-the-match Martinez was waiting for news on his problem today after an innocuous challenge with Rushden's Gary Mulligan left him limping onto the team bus. He said: ''His knee went into my hamstring and the whole area went numb straightaway. ''I need to find out if it's a pull or just a tweak, but at this stage I would say I'll be struggling to be fit for Reading.

''Fingers crossed it will not be too bad, but to be honest I would prefer to miss a cup game if I have to miss any because the league is our priority.''
Izzy Iriekpen is expected to be fit for Reading despite departing early yesterday thanks to a cut in his mouth. And while fitness concerns removed some of the gloss, Jackett was full of praise for his side as they recorded a seventh away success of the season.

''With almost two weeks before our next league game, we needed this win after the Yeovil defeat,'' he added. ''Now we look to Reading, who are a strong side with Premiership aspirations. Having said that, we'll take a good following down the M4 and we have a chance.''

The Swansea manager confirmed he still hopes to bring Bristol City winger Marc Goodfellow back to the Vetch on a permanent basis after a successful loan spell, though no deal looks imminent.

''I asked their chief executive whether '25,000 for Marc would be enough if I could get it and he said no. ''They're saying they've paid '65,000 for him, so the ball's really in their court. If Marc gets an opportunity there then fine, but I know he wants to play first-team football so we'll see.

''I was surprised they didn't want to do a deal because they were keen when we took him on loan in the first place - it seems his goals for us have changed things. Whether they'll come back to me I don't know." Adrian Forbes is the latest Swansea player facing a suspension - when Wycombe visit on January 15 -after his fifth booking of the campaign yesterday.

SWANSEA No 2 Kevin Nugent has told how Saturday's FA Cup third round trip to Reading's Madejski Stadium could be an intriguing glimpse into the Swans' future.

Nugent, now 35, came off the bench 12 minutes from the end of his club's 2-0 win at struggling Rushden two days ago to make his 600th game as a professional.

The Londoner, born within a goal kick of Highbury, once dreamt of pulling on a Tottenham shirt. But the former Leyton Orient and Cardiff warrior's solitary aim now is Swansea playing League One soccer at their new £25m 20,000 all-seater Morfa Stadium come August.

That's why the Vetch club's haul of nine from 12 points over the Yuletide period is so significant to Nugent - who, with ex-Wales and Watford star Kenny Jackett, forms one of the most exciting managerial partnerships in the lower sections.

Swansea, only trailing Yeovil and Scunthorpe in League Two, currently grip the final automatic promotion slot in their section - thanks to the blossoming 20-goal attacking partnership of Lee Trundle and Paul Connor.

It's a combination that threatens Nugent's playing time. But he reflected, "I said at the start of this season that I'd be happy to be frozen out by other people in front of me because it would make my job in management easier.

"I'm no more than a fringe player these days - one who struggles with two matches per week.

"The gaffer (Jackett) and myself look at Trundle and Connor - it does give us a lot of satisfaction. We've worked hard with the boys and it shows with the way their linking is unsettling a lot of defences.

"I think the pair are amongst the best in our league - their understanding is getting stronger as the weeks go by."

Golden-booted Trundle has hammered four strikes in his last five outings - including a hat-trick in the 4-0 Vetch demolition of Notts County last month. After a barren spell Middlesborough discard Connor has rattled in four from six matches.

This potent warhead is one of the reasons Nugent feels Swansea have nothing to fear from the Royals - despite the Championship high-flyers being 47 rungs above the Swans on the Football League ladder.

Reading, who dipped at home to Derby 1-0 on January 3, have a big fitness doubt over top scorer Dave Kitson. The carrot-topped striker, who only a few years ago worked in a chemical factory, has a damaged hamstring.

His startling soccer turnaround equals Swansea's - an outfit that clung onto their precious Football League status with a dramatic last-day 4-2 victory over Hull at the Vetch just 20 months ago.

Nugent was an integral part of that Swans squad. And he reflected, "I look at our position in our section - it shows the hard work and determination that has gone in to change the club's fortunes.

"But we have to remain focused if we are to achieve promotion - we can't look beyond the next match."

Nugent, though, believes Swansea's support will have a critical say on just where their club will travel in 2005 - promotion to the higher section meaning potential journeys to Rotherham, Gillingham, Sheffield Wednesday and Blackpool.

Over 2,000 Swans followers will beat a path to Reading within three days. And Nugent said, "Our supporters are one of the main reasons we can look optimistically to the future.

"The Swansea area demands football success because it's tasted it in the past. But, maybe, the lows our club has had would make a promotion - if we can achieve it - taste all the sweeter this time."

Almost two years on from a debut that changed a season, Roberto Martinez hailed his second trip to Nene Park as a Swansea City player as a landmark in this campaign. This ground was the venue for Martinez's Swansea bow during the bleak winter of 2003.

Back then Brian Flynn's team were staring at the Nationwide Conference, but with the Spanish midfielder recruited from Walsall they announced the start of a memorable revival with a winning draw against a Rushden & Diamonds side who were heading for promotion.

Today it is the struggling Diamonds who are fearing a Football League exit, while Swansea are bidding to depart League Two via the enjoyable route.

And Martinez, outstanding as Kenny Jackett's men bounced back from defeat by Yeovil on New Year's Day with a comfortable 2-0 win, reckons Swansea are left requiring exactly what they did 22 months ago following his Rushden return.

''This game has brought back happy memories for me,'' the 31-year-old said.

''When I made my debut here, we came away knowing we needed 12 wins to avoid relegation.

''Now I believe we need 12 wins from our final 20 league games to win promotion.

''It's a realistic target, and we're all in confident mood after a good run of results.

''When we lost at Scunthorpe a few weeks ago everyone was talking about the fact that we were eight points behind them in the league. Now the gap's only one.''

Scunthorpe no longer lead the way in League Two, of course, with Yeovil now setting the pace thanks in no small part to Saturday's success at Vetch Field.

Given that set-back, along with the fact that Swansea sit out league action for a couple of weeks because of the FA Cup third round, yesterday's victory was all the more pleasing.

''The reaction from the players after Yeovil and the desire we showed to win from the very first minute was unbelievable,'' Martinez added.

''Rushden needed the points desperately because they are in a very dangerous position, so to win as we did was great.''

This was not the most scintillating of Swansea's successes this season but, after another commanding start, they did not need a vintage performance.

There was a second-half fightback of sorts from the hosts, but a Rushden side obviously lacking in confidence were beaten inside the first quarter.

Yeovil aside, Swansea have made a habit of beginning with a bang in recent weeks, and there were barely three minutes on the clock when Paul Connor raced onto a clever through ball from Andy Robinson to stroke the visitors ahead.

The dizzy Diamonds were feeling even rougher inside 21 minutes, when the impressive Robinson combined with Lee Trundle to double the advantage.

First, Trundle touched Garry Monk's pass into his fellow Merseysider's path, then Robinson tricked his way out of a couple of tackles.

The ball was returned to Trundle, who flicked a back-heel into Robinson's path on the edge of the penalty box.

In truth Rushden defender Rob Gier should have ended the move, but he lost out in a challenge with Robinson and the former Tranmere midfielder swept home his sixth goal of the season.

''We've done well getting early goals in the last few games and, having built on the lead we got, we managed to hold on again,'' said Alan Tate, another who emerged with credit against a home team whose best suit was their midfield.

''This was a tough fixture for us and they kept the ball well, so we've got to be pleased to have gone two up and then killed the game off.''

Swansea did have to rely on their miserly defence - now the meanest in the Coca-Cola basement once more - despite efforts from Trundle and Izzy Iriekpen before the break.

Rushden's post-interval rally was not exactly stirring stuff for a home crowd who entertained themselves by calling for their manager's head, but there were chances.

Willy Gueret saved smartly from Gary Mulligan and superbly from Jason Taylor's header, then saw a Marcus Kelly chip bounce off the top of his bar deep in injury-time.

But by then Jackett was celebrating a seventh away success of the season, and a fourth maximum in five games over the Christmas period.

''We've had a great points return over the holiday period,'' the Swansea boss said.

''We lost to two late goals by Yeovil and, with the cup to come on Saturday, we could have been indifferent today.

''But we began the game like a house on fire and with 60 more points on offer this season, it's still all to play for in all the positions at the top.

''Two-thirds of the division are probably looking at first down to seventh, and certainly everything's available to us.

''I would rather have the lead at the top, of course, but a lead of four points with 20 games to go is very, very slight.

''You only have to look at the Premiership. Arsenal had a lead of five points earlier in the season and everyone was saying they would go through the whole year unbeaten again. A couple of months later it's Chelsea who are unbeatable.

''Sometimes losing one player can make all the difference - remember what happened to Arsenal a couple of seasons back when they lost Sol Campbell.

''In three weeks' time, as we have seen ourselves recently, today's headline will have totally changed around.''

With League One coming into sight, Jackett must hope the back pages of the future are not telling tales of backward steps.

Swansea City are set to rely on a makeshift midfield in their daunting FA Cup clash with Reading on Saturday after yesterday's win at Rushden & Diamonds came at a price.


Roberto Martinez seems certain to miss the trip to the Madejski Stadium after collecting a worrying leg injury in the dying minutes of the 2-0 Nene Park win.
The Vetch Field club captain hobbled off after early strikes from Paul Connor and Andy Robinson saw Swansea bounce back from their New Year's Day defeat by Yeovil to maintain their League Two promotion push. But with Alan Tate suspended after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season last Saturday and Kris O'Leary unlikely to recover from a knee problem, Kenny Jackett is nursing a selection headache ahead of a testing tie against Steve Coppell's Premiership hopefuls.

"We'll have to wait and see how bad Roberto's injury is, but if he does miss out we'll have spaces to fill in midfield at Reading," Jackett said. "Alan is suspended and I'll be very surprised if Kris is fit. We do have Leon Britton, Gary Fisken is on his way back (from a knee injury) and Andy Robinson can play there.

"We also have versatile players at the back in Sam Ricketts, who could play on the left of midfield, and Andy Gurney, who is back from suspension, so that gives me some flexibility."

Man-of-the-match Martinez was waiting for news on his problem today after an innocuous challenge with Rushden's Gary Mulligan left him limping onto the team bus. He said: "His knee went into my hamstring and the whole area went numb straightaway. "I need to find out if it's a pull or just a tweak, but at this stage I would say I'll be struggling to be fit for Reading.

"Fingers crossed it will not be too bad, but to be honest I would prefer to miss a cup game if I have to miss any because the league is our priority."
Izzy Iriekpen is expected to be fit for Reading despite departing early yesterday thanks to a cut in his mouth. And while fitness concerns removed some of the gloss, Jackett was full of praise for his side as they recorded a seventh away success of the season.

"With almost two weeks before our next league game, we needed this win after the Yeovil defeat," he added. "Now we look to Reading, who are a strong side with Premiership aspirations. Having said that, we'll take a good following down the M4 and we have a chance."

The Swansea manager confirmed he still hopes to bring Bristol City winger Marc Goodfellow back to the Vetch on a permanent basis after a successful loan spell, though no deal looks imminent.

"I asked their chief executive whether '25,000 for Marc would be enough if I could get it and he said no. "They're saying they've paid £65,000 for him, so the ball's really in their court. If Marc gets an opportunity there then fine, but I know he wants to play first-team football so we'll see.

"I was surprised they didn't want to do a deal because they were keen when we took him on loan in the first place - it seems his goals for us have changed things. Whether they'll come back to me I don't know." Adrian Forbes is the latest Swansea player facing a suspension - when Wycombe visit on January 15 - after his fifth booking of the campaign yesterday.

OVERCOMING their promotion rivals might be proving a touch problematic, but Swansea continue to pick off League Two's strugglers with impressive ease.

That was the case at Nene Park yesterday as the Swans, for the first half at least, enjoyed a bank holiday stroll against a Diamonds side lacking any real sparkle.

Goals inside the first 22 minutes from Paul Connor and Andy Robinson ensured the Swans recovered from their New Year's Day hiccup against Yeovil with a third win in four festive matches.

Those two strikes effectively ended the game as a contest as a poor Rushden outfit, lurching ever closer towards relegation, struggled to muster much in reply.

Though the Northamptonshire side launched something of a fightback after the break, Kenny Jackett's mean defensive unit proved far too strong for them and Swansea heads remained cool under pressure.

Nine points from 12 over the Christmas period - a sequence which included emphatic victories over Kidderminster and Boston - leaves Swansea's league destiny firmly in their own hands as they switch to FA Cup third-round action at Reading on Saturday.

The Swans remain third in League Two, four points off new leaders Yeovil, but maintain a four-point gap on Southend in fourth.

There were injury concerns over Izzy Iriekpen and Roberto Martinez after this match but, as anticipated, central defender Garry Monk had gone straight back into the side after suspension for Swansea's first visit to Nene Park in two years.

But it was Ijah Anderson, rather than Iriekpen, who made way for the former Southampton defender, a change which saw Kevin Austin move to left-back.

That was the only alteration from the side pipped 2-0 by Yeovil, as Swansea sought to end their festive programme in style.

And, as in the Boxing Day goal feast at Kidderminster, Connor got the Swans off to the perfect start with a goal inside the opening few minutes.

It came from a lovely move that began with Lee Trundle brilliantly chesting down a pass from Martinez and hooking the ball through to Robinson, who slotted through to Connor.

After appearing to take a touch too many, the former Rochdale striker squeezed the ball through the legs of a goalkeeper who might have saved it had he flung himself to ground.

The Diamonds have lacked lustre lately and they looked distinctly low on confidence here, struggling to show enough poise or penetration to pose any major threat to Willy Gueret's goal.

Had the Rushden crowd actually been making any kind of noise, they would have been silenced again on 22 minutes when Robinson, having a fine game on the left of midfield, and Trundle combined well for the second.

Robinson showed some nifty footwork to thread a pass to Trundle, who laid the ball back into the path of his fellow Scouser with an equally impressive back-heel.

After out-muscling defender Robert Gier in the tackle, the ball fell kindly for Robinson to slot past Lee Worgan for his sixth goal of the season.

Swansea had not clicked into top gear, but they hardly needed to. It was enough for Jackett's men to sit back and wait for the chances to arrive, Trundle blazing well wide with one speculative 35-yard attempt and Iriekpen going close with a header from a deep Martinez free-kick into the box.

Not until the 40th minute did Rushden produce a shot on goal, winger Craig Dove's long-range effort looping a few inches over the crossbar.

Any ideas Swansea might have had about the second period being as comfortable as the first were quickly dispelled as Rushden displayed much more zip and zest after the break.

Barely a match passes without Gueret making some kind of acrobatic leap and he duly produced one on the hour mark to keep out a sweet 10-yard lob from Gary Mulligan.

Swansea, who sent on Anderson after Iriekpen pulled up injured, shortly followed by Connor and Trundle being switched for Kevin Nugent and Brad Maylett, survived another scare on 74 minutes when Gueret pushed sub Jason Taylor's header round a post from a deep David Bell cross.

But, with home supporters calling for the head of Diamonds boss Ernie Tippett, Rushden had pretty much run out of ideas, apart from a late attempt from Marcus Kelly that skimmed the crossbar.

"Taxi for Ernie!" demanded Rushden fans, as Swansea held on for a win that puts their drive towards League One football firmly back on course.

Rushden & Diamonds: Worgan, Connelly, Allen, Gier, Hawkins, Bell, Burgess, Kennedy (Duffy 76), Dove (Kelly 56), Mulligan, Hay (Taylor 70). Subs not used: Dempster, Gulliver.

Swansea City: Gueret, Ricketts, Monk, Iriekpen (Anderson 64), Austin, Forbes, Martinez, Tate, Robinson, Connor (Nugent 78), Trundle (Maylett 77). Subs not used: Murphy, Britton.

Swansea manager Kenny Jackett was a relieved man following his side's 2-0 victory at Rushden.


The high-flying Swans turned in a solid display to come away with the points, and Jackett was pleased to avoid a slip-up.

He said: "Saturday was a tight game with a disappointing performance when we lost to Yeovil, and we needed to bounce back.

"This was a potential banana skin but we've overcome that, and nine points out of 12 over the Christmas period is a good return.

"We talked about doing more in the second half at the end of the game, and we probably could have done more. However, you see teams lose 2-0 leads, so overall it was a satisfactory result.

"Our goalkeeper made two good saves in the second half but I think I'll have to tell him to hold onto them next time!"

The Welsh outfit will now hope to take their good form into the FA Cup meeting with Reading next weekend, and Jackett admitted it is a test his players are relishing.

"Players are only human beings and it was inevitable they would have half an eye on next Saturday's FA Cup match," he added.

"That match is a good thing for the club, both in terms of finance and a chance for my team to put themselves up against a Championship side going for promotion."

Diamonds manager Ernie Tippett said: "It was a frustrating afternoon, but what it told me is that when we go a goal behind, my players lose belief.

"As a result, I'm now going to change a few things ahead of the game against Shrewsbury on Saturday.

"You can't tell players how to be confident because that's the mentality of this sport. But if you're not confident when you cross the white line then it can create uncertainty, and that, in itself, means decision-making is slow.

"We've now got to roll our sleeves up and I've got to change things as we're not playing well enough."

Tippett bemoaned the fact he was unable to buy players to bolster his squad, and responded to the supporters' chants of "Tippett out" by saying: "This is a wonderful club which has been fortunate to have had a golden pot prior to this season.

"I've always respected the fans, and firmly believe that fans should have an opinion. But they must realise that I don't have that golden pot and would ask them to get behind their team even when things don't go well."

Sam Ricketts has issued a calming New Year's message to Swansea City's fans: Don't worry. The Swansea defender's words came after the 2-0 Vetch Field defeat by promotion-chasing rivals Yeovil.

The win earned the West Country side the double after the 1-0 success at Huish Park earlier in the season and also pulled them level with Scunthorpe, beaten 1-0 at home by Darlington.

Fourth-placed Southend closed the gap to four points behind Swansea after their 3-0 win over Rushden & Diamonds where Kenny Jackett's side were in action this afternoon.

But despite the disappointment of defeat, Ricketts reckons there is no need to be worried.

''If you look at past results we went to Wycombe and won 1-0 and they were top, beat Mansfield at the Vetch and they were up there and it was the same with Leyton Orient,'' said Ricketts, who performed admirably at right-back.

''I read in the papers before the game that we had lost to sides in the top six, but I just think it's the way the league is at the moment and it works out those sides are up there.

''We will beat and have already beaten sides who are near the top.''

Ricketts says Swansea should follow the lead set by Arsenal during the 1980s and 1990s when they were under the captaincy of Tony Adams.

''I was listening to Adams on TV before the Chelsea v Liverpool game,'' he added. ''He said that at Arsenal they just tried to keep either three points ahead or three points behind the leaders all the time and if they did that then they would be in with a chance of winning the league.

''Arsenal have won a couple of titles so it's not a bad rule to follow and if we can keep close to the top two then we won't go far wrong.

''We have got enough to go up, but you don't get promotion without a lot of hard work.''

Ricketts, whose grandmother hails from Cardiff, was watched for the first time by Wales manager John Toshack on Saturday.

The former England non-league international has not spoken to the ex-Swansea boss, but says he would relish the chance of playing for Wales, if given one.

''I am currently playing League Two football and it's a big step up to play for Wales,'' said Ricketts.

''I have not heard anything yet, but if do it will be an honour and I will be ready to make that step.'''

Swansea had not played on New Year's Day since winning at Bristol Rovers in 1994 and Saturday's defeat was the first on home soil on January 1 for 50 years when Blackburn won 3-2 at the Vetch.

But despite the disappointment of the loss in front of a massive 11,225 crowd, manager Kenny Jackett says his side are still in there with the best teams in League Two.

''It was a home game, with a big crowd and the opportunity to go second. We knew it was a big match,'' Jackett admitted.

''But it was not a cup game, it was not a decider and there are plenty of points to play for.

''We might have lost this game but I don't think as a side we are too far away from Scunthorpe and Yeovil, who are good teams.''

New Year's Day is traditionally a time when old acquaintances should be forgotten. And Kenny Jackett would quite gladly put Gary Johnson, his old pal from his Watford days, to the back of his mind until this season is over after the Yeovil Town boss helped to engineer the Glovers' second win over Swansea City this season.

A 1-0 defeat at Huish Park had been one of the lower points of 2004 for the Swansea boss and he was hoping to start 2005 with a bang by beating Yeovil to leapfrog them into second place.

But after going down 3-2 in a Christmas cracker last season, Johnson was not going to let his charges slip up this time round.

And he revealed his gameplan after goals from Latvian winger Andrejs Stolcers and League Two's top scorer Phil Jevons sealed a 2-0 win. Cardiff City fan Gavin Williams - the Yeovil winger who recently signed for West Ham - celebrated a late equaliser by doing the Ayatollah (a Cardiff goal celebration), only to be outdone by Lee Trundle who snatched an injury-time winner to send the Vetch fans wild.

Johnson knew the home fans would be baying for blood this time too if something similar happened, and he had drummed that message home to his players.

''We had to quieten the fans down,'' he said.

''Then it was a matter of being professional. That has been the key word all week and something we have been working on.

''Last year when it went 2-2 we had a couple of silly gestures. We didn't know ourselves what they were and it was a personal thing with one of our players.

''He has gone now, but it was still important that we went away with friends rather than enemies.

''I think Swansea will be up there at the end of the season and it could be that both teams go up and we are competing against each other next year, so we wanted to keep it under wraps and we managed to do that.

''To be fair to the Swansea fans they clapped us off the pitch and we shook their hands so it's nice to be going away with a 2-0 win and making a few more friends.''

That the Swansea fans applauded Yeovil off after their success was not down to the fact that their players had not riled them with an outrageous celebration.

But was because they had seen Johnson's men out think and out play their team, particularly in a hard-fought second half.

The biggest League Two crowd of the season and Swansea's largest for five years had come expecting to see a similar game to the exciting clash they witnessed last December.

That they didn't was partly down to the awful weather conditions and a lot more due to the fact that, on Saturday, at least both defences were on top.

Before this clash both sides had gone 24 games without being involved in a 0-0 draw.

In their three previous matches the teams had hit 24 goals between them, and before kick-off Yeovil had let in 34 in the league this season.

But the combination of a strong wind in the first half and some top defending by the visiting back four and goalkeeper Chris Weale, handed Johnson's men a much-needed clean sheet. That wind kept Swansea at bay in a disjointed first half and there was little for the large home crowd to cheer.

Willy Gueret struggled on occasions to even clear just outside his penalty area as the gale-force winds continued to blow.

The strength of the gusts disrupted the pattern of play and the match failed to live up to last season, despite Trundle's brilliance which saw him curl a shot wide with his left foot just before the break.

Swansea just shaded the first half but after the break, that professional attitude Johnson had instilled into his Yeovil players, began to kick in and the Glovers began to take control.

Jackett's men went close when Alan Tate's 25-yard effort was tipped over by the excellent Chris Weale and had a goal disallowed when Paul Connor was put clear by Trundle.

Connor finished cooly after his co-striker had worked hard to win the ball back and put him in the clear.

But, just as the celebrations were about to begin, they were cut short by the linesman's flag for offside.

That was the key for Yeovil to push forward and driven on by the impressive Darren Way and Lee Johnson, the visitors took control.

Jackett admitted his side were outgunned in midfield and that dominance led to an extended spell of Yeovil pressure which led to Stolcers' goal.

It was going to take a moment of quality to separate the two sides and the Latvian international, signed by Johnson earlier this season, provided it to virtually kill off Swansea with 11 minutes left.

Once more the Yeovil midfield forced errors from the home side and Izzy Iriekpen's weak header fell to the winger.

He stepped inside Sam Ricketts before curling an unstoppable shot into the top corner with his right foot.

Swansea pushed forward and Connor's header was tipped over by Weale and a spectacular Trundle over-head kick just scraped a post.

But there was no way through and Jevons scored his 18th goal of the season with Jackett's men getting caught at the back in their attempt to secure a late equaliser.

The scoreline may have been a little unfair on Swansea, but Yeovil deserved the win because of their professional attitude and their second half performance.

Scunthorpe's defeat leaves Swansea still four points off the top and still in prime position for a push for promotion as the new year kicks off.

Jackett knows now just what it will take if his side are going to be alongside the likes of the top two at the business end of the season come May.

''We have played better,'' he said.

''We didn't get any flow going forward. Whether that was down to the conditions or ourselves, I don't know, but we had no rhythm.

''I expected that, particularly in the second half, but it wasn't to be.

''We may have lost the battle but we haven't lost the war and that's the attitude we have to take forward now.

''I still think everything is open. Scunthorpe played well against us up there and won 1-0 but after that we had a run of four straight victories.

''What we have to do now is push on and get on another run because there are a lot of points up for grabs between now and the end of the season.''

YEOVIL boss Gary Johnson praised his players for silencing the bumper Vetch Field crowd - and for ensuring there was no more bad blood between the two sides.

Johnson was not a happy man at the end of this fixture last season when a late Lee Trundle goal ruined Yeovil's spirited fightback to give Swansea a 3-2 win.

And Johnson was further annoyed during that December 28 clash by the actions of one of his own players, scorer Gavin Williams (now at West Ham) riling Swans fans with his Cardiff-accented goal celebration.

But there was no such incitement on this occasion as Yeovil silenced another five-figure Vetch crowd by avenging last season's defeat to go joint top of League Two with Scunthorpe.

"When you play away and there are 11,000 home supporters, what you've got to do is be professional, do the right things and get on with your game," said Johnson.

"I felt professionalism was the key word for us in this match. When it went to 2-2 in this fixture last season, there were a couple of silly gestures (from Williams) that we didn't even know the meaning of.

"It was an individual thing with that player, but on this occasion we've gone away with friends behind us rather than enemies. That's important because it could be that both teams go up and we'll be competitors again next year.

"At the end the Swansea supporters were terrific - they clapped our players off and we shook hands with them - and it's nice to go away 2-0 winners having not upset anyone.

"It was important for us to quieten the crowd by keeping the ball for long periods and I felt we did that.

"If you're going to win promotion, you've got to cope with this type of atmosphere, this type of away game.

"The match was a great advert for League Two and I think both teams will be very close at the end of the season.

"I wouldn't for one minute suggest Swansea are a one-man team because they've got some decent players, but I think what's important for them is Trundle staying fit."

Success at the Vetch made it seven wins in a row for Yeovil and opened up the possibility of them replacing Scunthorpe at the top if they can beat Shrewsbury today.

Little wonder Johnson was all smiles. "From our point of view, this was a great game and a tremendous victory, he said.

"In the first half our forward play as a team wasn't as good as it has been and we didn't really look like scoring.

"But in the second half we showed that little bit of extra quality. We had more movement and got on the ball a bit more.

"Just at the point where I was thinking 0-0 might not be a bad result, (Andrejs) Stolcers came up with a quality goal and we managed to move out from the corner where we were trying to kill time to get a second.

"Perhaps it mirrored the reverse fixture at Huish Park earlier in the season, in that Swansea had the better of the first half and we were stronger in the second.

"We're on a great run and we just want to keep that going.

"It's great to go level on points with Scunthorpe. Everyone goes through a blip - we had one in October and Scunthorpe seem to be having one now."

SWANSEA CITY defender Garry Monk is desperate to take his festive frustration out on Rushden and Diamonds tomorrow.

The 25-year-old centre-back has been forced to sit out the last six games due to suspension but Monk last night pleaded with Swans boss Kenny Jackett to let him at struggling Rushden tomorrow.

Swansea have conceded eight goals in those six games, five of them in two home defeats to Bury and Yeovil yesterday, but Jackett has been pleased with Izzy Iriekpen and Kevin Austin who have deputised for the former Barnsley and Southampton player.

Monk is keen to return and admitted: "It has been a massively frustrating Christmas for me.

"Sitting in the stand to watch games is the hardest thing in the world for me, all I want to do is get out there and be involved.

"The lads that have come in at the back have done a very decent job and that's good because competition for places is key for any club wanting to be successful. It makes players up their standard and that improves everyone. All I can do is work hard in training and hopefully I'll get my chance."

Swansea lost yesterday's League Two second-versus-third clash with Yeovil in front of a bumper Vetch crowd. While Monk admits the players are hugely disappointed, the Swans welcome an immediate opportunity to get back on the promotion trail.

"Having a game 48 hours after that defeat to Yeovil is ideal," said Monk.

"If we beat Rushden, the Yeovil game will be more or less forgotten about. We won't be feeling sorry for ourselves, we're determined to go on another winning run to put us back among the leaders."

Yeovil moved level on points with league leaders Scunthorpe after securing a crucial 2-0 win at fellow promotion hopefuls Swansea.


Even though they were second best for long periods, Gary Johnson's men registered their seventh consecutive victory courtesy of second-half goals from Andrejs Stolcers and Phil Jevons.

What must make the scoreline even more galling for Swans boss Kenny Jackett was that his side dictated the opening exchanges and were unfortunate not to take an early lead when Lee Trundle let fly from the edge of the penalty area.

However, Town goalkeeper Chris Weale was up to the task and pulled off a fine reflex save low to his left.

Swansea went even closer to scoring shortly afterwards when Paul Terry scythed down Paul Connor on the edge of Yeovil's penalty box.

Andy Robinson's resulting free-kick beat Weale all ends up but went inches wide of the target.

After enjoying a sustained spell of pressure, Yeovil opened the scoring late on when Stolcers was afforded far too much space inside the Swansea penalty area and unleashed an unstoppable drive past Willy Gueret.

Shortly after Trundle had rattled the frame of the goal with a fine strike, an away win was confirmed at the death when Jevons swept the visitors into a 2-0 lead.

The former Grimsby striker shrugged off two despairing challenges before stabbing the ball past onrushing Gueret to crown a fine individual display.

Swansea manager Kenny Jackett insists there is no reason for supporters to be overly concerned following the 2-0 defeat at home to Yeovil.

He said: "We mustn't panic just because we have lost. We have lost the match but not the war.

"Yeovil are a good side and we have to learn from games like this. We also have to show the resilience to bounce back and we have done that before when we lost to leaders Scunthorpe and then went on a four-game winning run.

"That is the kind of attitude we have to show at Rushden on Monday.

"I'm disappointed at the way we lost especially in front of so many fans who were there to support us.

"They were fantastic and I only wish we could have rewarded them with a victory."

Yeovil's victory takes them level with Scunthorpe at the top of the Division while the Swans now find themselves four points adrift.

But Glovers boss Gary Johnson admitted: "I was ready to settle for a point at that stage in the match.

"But we had done well throughout the game to keep 10,000 people quiet.

"We have to compete in this type of atmosphere but in all fairness the Swansea fans were fantastic and clapped us off at the end of the game as I am sure they knew they had seen a good side.

"Both teams are likely to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season and being professional is the key thing for us and that definitely showed.

"We're delighted with the three points but I was not happy with some of our attacking play."

SWANSEA CITY'S promotion challenge was blown off course at the windswept Vetch Field yesterday as Kenny Jackett's long-time friend Gary Johnson's Yeovil Town pulled two late rabbits out of the hat.

Little Latvian livewire Andrejs Stolcers and Huish hitman Phil Jevons both took a leaf out of Swansea sorcerer Lee Trundle's book of tricks to unleash two moments of magic in the final 11 minutes of League Two's top-of-the-table promotion showdown.

Yeovil, enjoying their first clean sheet for almost two months, showed why they're the division's top scorers as the West Country boys' sixth successive victory ensured they rose alongside Scunthorpe United - defeated by Darlington yesterday - as the joint leaders of League Two last night.

The third-placed Swans' third home defeat of the campaign, in front of the biggest League Two crowd this term and Swansea's largest for 18 months, has allowed a four-point gap to open up between the Welshmen and the two front-runners.

The Swans huffed and puffed but didn't have the cutting edge. Defeat wasn't the ideal way for Swansea to welcome in a potentially exciting New Year, as the club prepares to leave their Vetch home of 93 years for a stunning new £29m stadium across town. But manager Jackett last night urged the home faithful not to remain down in the doldrums.

While Johnson, Jackett's pal from his time at Watford, returned home to pop some New Year bubbly, the Swans supremo issued a 'don't panic' plea as he's vowed to inspire his troops to bounce back at Rushden and Diamonds tomorrow.

Jackett said: "It's still very open at the top of the table. We've lost the game, not the war.

"I'm very disappointed with a home defeat in front of a big crowd and we've missed out on an opportunity to go second so it was a very big game. But it wasn't like a cup game, it's not a decider.

"I've got to lift the players' spirits and the big thing now is tomorrow's game at Rushden as we have to bounce back and put the Yeovil defeat right. Since our last defeat at Scunthorpe, we've bounced back with four straight wins and it is important that we show the same kind of resilience again and go on a similar run."

Turning back to yesterday's game, Jackett added: "It was a close game, dictated largely by difficult conditions and an excellent strike by Stolcers proved decisive. That first goal was crucial and now they've done the double over us this season, edging us out twice and we'll have to learn from it."

Swansea don't seem to enjoy their first games of a new year as they've only tasted victory twice in 11 years. But both teams were suffering with hangovers early on as, despite plundering a sack-full of goals lately, neither side created much in the opening 40 minutes.

However, once Yeovil hotshot Phil Jevons had warmed the hands of Swans stopper Willy Gueret for the first time, City, with a three-pronged attack, upped the tempo as Lee Trundle came alive with two dazzling shimmies of his magic feet.

Swansea's top-scorer turned Skiverton inside and out after receiving the ball from Adrian Forbes - playing in the hole behind strike pair Trundle and Paul Connor - the cheeky scouser bent a left-footed shot around Yeovil keeper Chris Weale but, unfortunately for the packed Vetch, around the post too.

Trundle's confidence levels catapulted and it wasn't long before the Swans talisman, posing naked inside the matchday programme to promote their official 2005 calendar, exposed Yeovil again with a neat one-two with Sam Ricketts and the full-back was felled by Yeovil defender Scott Guyett. Referee Tony Bates waved away the protests.

Vetch chief Jackett would have been fuming with his defence again three minutes later as Jevons found acres of space in the Swans box but his header was poor and Guerer saved with plenty to spare.

But this spectacle was starting to live up its pre-match billing as Alan Tate brought the best out of Weale with a 25-yard thunderbolt that the Yeovil keeper did well to tip over the bar.

Connor had the ball in the Yeovil net 10 minutes into the second period but his eighth goal of the season was ruled out for offside.

Then the pendulum started swinging Yeovil's way.

The Glovers were posing the greater threat and only Gueret's agility kept the game goalless as he tipped Skiverton's header over the bar.

It would need some sublime finishing to break through either mean defence as it looked like these two free-scoring sides would remain deadlocked and be each team's first goalless draw for 24 games.

But up stepped Stolcers. The Latvian sprang into life as he collected Izzy Iriekpen's weak headed clearance, Stolcers, on the left-hand-side of Swansea's penalty area, stepped inside Ricketts to unleash a curling right-footed rocket into the top-corner of Gueret's net.

The keeper had no chance, the North Bank fell silent and not even Trundle's ambitious over-head kick from 20 yards that hit the outside of the post failed to spark them into a New Year sing-song. Weale dealt with Connor's testing header before the visitors dashed up the other end and Jevons reacted quickest to smash home his fourth goal in three games in stoppage time.

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins insists the club will not be held to ransom over the signing of Marc Goodfellow. Jenkins says Swansea are keen to bring the Bristol City winger back to the Vetch on a permanent deal after his impressive loan spell.

Goodfellow had been due to extend his stay but was recalled to Ashton Gate earlier this week.

Swansea would welcome him back, but Jenkins is adamant the club are not prepared to pay what they claim is an exaggerated price for the former Stoke winger.

''We offered £25,000 for Marc,'' said Jenkins.

''They came back to us and said they wanted £65,000.

''We felt that was not realistic, especially in the light of Scott Taylor - who was Blackpool's top scorer with 14 goals - being transferred to Plymouth for £100,000 on Thursday.

''We are not going to be held to ransom.''

Jenkins, like Swansea manager Kenny Jackett, was impressed with Goodfellow during his month on loan.

The ex-Stoke City flyer scored four times in eight league and cup appearances.

But while he believes buying the 23-year-old would strengthen Swansea's bid for promotion, he believes that there are other options within their price frame.

''Bristol City have tried to exploit the situation with Marc,'' added Jenkins.

''It's a commercial world, I understand that.

"But the downside to that is it is affecting the player's career.

''Marc went from Stoke to Bristol City expecting some good things and feels he was messed about.

''He has only played once for Bristol this season and went on loan to Port Vale as well as coming to Swansea.

''As a player we feel he developed under Kenny Jackett.

''Bristol City have used that to their advantage.

''But Kenny, with his extensive knowledge of players, has other options.''

Swansea look likely to continue monitoring the situation at Ashton Gate and have not ruled out another move for Goodfellow.

''The ball is in Kenny's court,'' said Jenkins.

''If he feels he can get a player in of that particular type from elsewhere then we will give him all the help he needs.

''We wanted a left-sided player and Marc came in and did a great job for us.

''It's all up to Bristol City now. We don't know what's going on at that club and we don't know whether Marc will now become involved regularly in their first team.

''We shall keep an eye on things and wait to see what happens next.''

Meanwhile, John Toshack has cast his first eye over Jackett's squad in his role as Wales manager.

The former Swansea boss was due to be a spectator at today's vital clash with Yeovil, but decided to drop in at the Jersey Marine training ground yesterday.

Toshack has been keen to run his eye over Swansea full-back Sam Ricketts after discovering the 23-year-old has a grandmother who hails from Cardiff.

SWANSEA City chairman Huw Jenkins could find himself in hot water after blasting the FA of Wales for their "unprofessional" handling of the Garry Monk sending-off fiasco.

The Swans defender, who had seen red previously this season, was dismissed following two yellow cards at Shrewsbury by referee Eddie Evans but his two-match ban was increased to six as he was charged for "techincal assault" against the Manchester-based official.

Monk's suspension was reduced by a game as the Football Association of Wales charged the 25-year-old with the lesser punishment of "failing to leave the field of play" after Swansea appealed.

But Jenkins and Swans manager Kenny Jackett thought the punishment was too much so the League Two high-fliers appealed for a second time. And, in a dramatic twist, the FAW reinstated the original charge and Monk's ban was back up to six games.

Angry Swans chief Jenkins blsted: "We believed that an appeal was a good idea before we got into the hearing as we all felt that Garry Monk's two yellow cards were at the least very harsh and therefore hoped we would achieve a fair and reasonable outcome.

"We had all hoped that the referee at Shrewsbury might be fair and admit that he may have been a little too quick to issue the first yellow card, considering that Garry was only trying to defuse a situation that the referee or linesman should have been dealing with in the first place.

"However, having listened to the referee and his account of the incident it became blatantly obvious that he wasn't going to admit any wrongdoing on his part.

"Taking all things into consideration we believed that we would be dealt with fairly and professionally by the FAW but, as we all know, that wasn't to be the case and if anything we came off far worse.

"We only made the appeal because of fair play - how wrong could we be' Kenny, Garry and I left extremely disappointed and totally let down by a system that is supposed to be arbitary.

"An appeal committee can never be deemed fair when you are asking FAW members and the FAW's own solicitor to reconsider a previous decision."

Monk returns for tomorrow's League Two trip to struggling Rushden and Diamonds having served out the entire ban.

SWANSEA CITY head into the battle for second spot in League Two today - but they are already topping the table when it comes to attendances.
After smashing their season-best gate in the win over Boston on Tuesday, even more fans are expected to pour through the Vetch Field turnstiles for the visit of Yeovil.

Even before an anticipated 12,000-plus crowd, Swansea are sitting pretty on top of the attendance league with an average of 7,914 fans.

Today's bumper crowd will take that average through the 8,000 mark as well as smashing the 100,000 aggregate attendance barrier.

"We are absolutely delighted," said club director David Morgan. "It will be a fantastic atmosphere against Yeovil but it has been like this all season. The Vetch Field crowd has always been brilliant and anyone who has come here knows the atmosphere is second to none.

"We have always known this club has the support of the city and the area and they will turn up as long as they are being entertained.

"This just proves this club belongs in a higher league and Kenny (Jackett) and the players are doing their bit to change that."

More than 10,000 flocked to the bank holiday hammering of Boston and with Yeovil bringing 800 fans of their own, Morgan is confident the Vetch could be close to a full house this afternoon and the biggest league gate since the climax to the 2002-03 season against Hull.

Only Bristol Rovers (7,787) come close to matching the Swans for support this season, while the numbers at the Vetch dwarf those attendances at Macclesfield (2,036) and Yeovil (5,600).

Even Cardiff's Championship rivals Crewe, Brighton and Rotherham cannot compare.

But director Morgan, predicting more of the same in 2005, said, "We will have a capacity of 20,000 at our new stadium and we are confident we will be able to fill that too."

SINCE his arrival in Swansea, Kenny Jackett has never been one to get carried away.

Whether it be praising his own players or team's performances, his side's lofty position in the table or the thought of what 2005 could bring, Jackett's feet remain firmly on the ground at all times.

But with today's visit of Yeovil stoking a fire in the heart of the entire city, even the usually unflappable Jackett is beginning get excited.

Today's clash has it all: a slug for second spot, the meeting of (relatively) local rivals, an expected full house and the chance to see the fourth chapter in the increasingly intriguing history between the two teams.

All in all a perfect way to start the new year - no wonder Jackett's starting to get caught up in the hype.

"It's a mouth-watering game isn't it'" he said. "Two sides have impressed me so far this season and one of those is Yeovil. They were excellent when they played us earlier in the year and I thought they had what it takes.

"Looking at the positions I've been proved right - they deserve to be where they are in the league.

"But this is an important game for us and we are ready for them - it should be something very special."

Jackett was still playing the Queens Park Rangers straightman to Ian Holloway's exuberant character when Swansea last hosted Gary Johnson's Glovers at the Vetch.

Brian Flynn's charges took a 3-2 win in front of 9,800 almost 12 months ago to the day - thanks to a last-minute Lee Trundle strike - with the North Bank taking umbrage to the Cardiff-accented celebrations of goalscorer Gavin Williams.

Williams isn't around these days, having switched to West Ham last month, and Jackett insists he hasn't seen any case of bad blood to comment on.

But one thing is certain - a full to the brim Vetch Field, something Jackett can't hide his delight at.

"Against Boston the steward came up to me 20 minutes before kick-off and told me the North Bank was shut," he recalled.

"You can't begin to describe that feeling. Knowing they are all there for you just sends shivers up your spine.

"If we get something near that then it will be tremendous - the fans have been like an extra man at times this year.

"They make a brilliant noise and I can't wait to feel that atmosphere come kick-off."

That anticipation of something memorable to mark the start of a new footballing year has obviously transmitted to the players, knowing a win against nearest league rivals could kick start a special 2005.

Second spot - and promotion in the long term - could both lie in wait for the victors. And having lost to near-placed rivals on more than one occasion this year, Jackett admits there's the need to justify their position.

"I understand what people are saying when you look at some of the games we have lost against the sides up the top," he said.

"You want to prove you're better and you deserve to be up there.

"But we have to remember it's about an overall points total - that's the big thing. And it doesn't always work out that the teams who win the one-offs go on to do better.

"When I was at QPR we beat Plymouth 3-0 quite comprehensively, but they still went on to win the title.

"They used the defeat as a catalyst. It isn't necessarily the be all and end all; even so a packed house and top-of-the-table clash will make it something special.

"But, in the grand scheme of things, it might not matter at all."

Jackett can claim that all he likes, but he'll have a job telling that to the 12,000 or so Swans fans crammed into the old stadium by the sea for such an eagerly anticipated affair.

And even though he might still try and play down the importance of the contest, even Jackett admits it's more than a win at stake.

"Yes it is more than three points," said Jackett. "We want to close that gap and claw them back.

"The sides on show are two of the best sides in the league and it's a chance for us to test ourselves, to see how far we have come and to see how much we still have to do.

"But it doesn't matter who it is - I do not want to lose to anybody. I want to win every game no matter how it comes.

"Be it 1-0 or if it's like last year, although that won't be too good for the heart rate.

"We want those three points and we believe we can get them. We have been talking about promotion since day one of pre-season, some six months ago.

"We still have a lot to do, but it's within our grasp and the players realise the opportunity they have in front of them."

And even the unflappable Jackett must realise a win today and it won't be just his squad talking about promotion - it will be the whole of Swansea.

Even Father Christmas knew all about Andy Robinson's disciplinary problems. While most people were unwrapping socks and jumpers on Christmas morning, Swansea City's left-sided midfield firebrand found an anger management video under his tree.

He was also given his own personal red and yellow cards.

While Robinson understands the significance of his 'gifts', he knows too that it was all a bit of fun from his team-mates after a season which has seen him pick up six cautions and a sending-off already.

The popular Scouser took the banter from Lee Trundle and Co in good heart and says it shows the Swansea squad are in the perfect frame of mind ahead of tomorrow's crunch game against Yeovil.

''It was good banter,'' he said, ''and it proves the squad is in good spirits.

''The wins over Kidderminster and Boston over Christmas kept up those spirits and we go into tomorrow's game fully prepared.

''Victory would see us start the New Year off in great style and it is all set up to be one of the biggest games of the season.

''We are on a good run at the moment and Yeovil are on top form at the moment.

''It's going to be a great occasion and one that everyone is looking forward to.''

Robinson was involved in last season's game at the Vetch Field which proved to be a Christmas cracker of a match with Trundle scoring the winner in second-half injury time.

Swansea won that game on December 29 last year 3-2 and the Birkenhead-born midfielder would love to see the same result this time round.

And although Yeovil won the first game between the two sides at Huish Park this campaign, he reckons Swansea can have their revenge, especially with the match-winner that day having signed for West Ham.

Gavin Williams scored the only goal from the penalty spot back in September and Robinson is glad he has moved on.

''We played really well in the first half,'' recalled the midfielder, but he was the difference after the break when he came on as a sub.

''This time we have a chance to do what we did last year,'' added Robinson.

''That was a great day and a great win for us. We will be hoping for the same result tomorrow.

''I remember I was a bit unfortunate because the referee disallowed a goal I scored from a free-kick. But the most important thing was that we got the result and the same goes tomorrow.''

The top-of-the-table clash with Yeovil kicks off a string of games at Vetch Field against sides in contention for promotion.

Wycombe, Southend and Scunthorpe visit Swansea in the next two months and Robinson sees this as a crucial part of the season and says it is vital to start the sequence off with a win over Gary Johnson's outfit, whatever the motivation.

''We need to beat Yeovil because they are up there in the table, and that's more important than anything that's gone on before,'' he said.

''I have looked at the fixture list and most of the top teams have still got to come here.

''We are on a good run and we have not been doing too bad away from home, but we have to get wins in games like this. We have got a great chance to do that.

''It's a home game and the Vetch will be packed - let's go and do it.''

If Swansea can get that all-important victory to move into second place, Robinson will not mind too much seeing another card - providing it's only yellow.

If Swansea's players want to know what it takes to secure promotion from the Football League basement they need not go too far to ask. Kris O'Leary, who is currently on the sidelines with a knee injury, is the only survivor from the squad that won the old Third Division championship still playing at Vetch Field.

This time five years ago John Hollins's men had just secured a 1-0 home win over Plymouth to stay in third place.

That side was two-thirds of its way through a run which saw them win a record nine consecutive league games.

Kenny Jackett's men have a long way to go before they get close to that record or even getting promotion, but O'Leary reckons the current squad has what it takes.

''I think we can go up and can even with the title,'' said O'Leary, ''but we can't rest on our laurels, there's a long way to go.

''Christmas has been good for us and the last two wins were great, but we have to keep going.

''It's nice to have that seven-point gap between third and the rest but we have to keep that.

''Hopefully then it will end up being a battle for the title between the top three.''

O'Leary sees a lot of similarities between the class of 1999-2000 and the current squad, but he says Lee Trundle and Co might just have the edge.

''When we won the title a lot of games were won 1-0,'' said O'Leary, ''and prior to Christmas that's what we were doing this time round.

''Our defensive record that year was superb and Roger (Freestone) kept 22 clean sheets.This season our defence has been doing well, too, but you cannot compare the two until we have completed the games.

''Going forward this team has a little bit more. The championship-winning side had Julian Alsop who was a real handful, and when you played it up to Steve Watkin the ball would always stick.

''But Lee Trundle can get goals out of nothing and Paul Connor has found his scoring touch.

''Andy Robinson has also chipped in with a couple of goals which augers well.''

Swansea eventually wrapped up the title on the final day of the 1999-2000 season with a 1-1 draw at Rotherham.

O'Leary reckons Jackett's team has it in them to do it again.

''We have got the players and we have got the belief,'' he added. ''The supporters are starting to think it can happen too and it was fantastic to see the crowd against Boston.

''The injured players could find nowhere to sit and to me that shows that the fans are right behind us.

''We were in a similar position last season and let things go.

''We have learned from that and I will be showing a few of the lads some cuttings from five years ago to show them how it can be done.''

Kenny Jackett wants to kick off the New Year in style tomorrow with victory over League Two rivals Yeovil Town.

But he has warned that beating the second-placed Glovers will not guarantee his side promotion come May. After already losing to leaders Scunthorpe, fourth-placed Southend, Macclesfield, who lie fifth and Northampton - currently in sixth - this season, Jackett wants to prove his side are worthy of a top-three place by getting three points against Gary Johnson's outfit.

But he says even if his side wins the clash against the West Countrymen there is still plenty of work to be done between now and May if they are to achieve their promotion goal.

''Of course, you want to win every game,'' said Jackett.

''But victory tomorrow is not necessarily the be all and end all.

''It doesn't always work out that the winner of one like this will go on to win the title or get promotion.

''When I was at QPR last season we beat Plymouth 3-0 early on in the campaign and it was a comprehensive victory.

''But they ended up winning the league. Defeat was a bit of a catalyst which saw them go on a fantastic run.

''On the other hand, after that we dropped points and fell away, even though we still got promoted.''

Yeovil won the first game between the two sides 1-0 back in September with Gavin Williams, who has recently signed for West Ham, scoring the winner from the penalty spot.

Jackett liked what he saw from Johnson's side that day and is not surprised to see where they are in the table as the year comes to an end.

''Two sides have impressed me so far this season and one of them is Yeovil,'' he added.

''We played well in the first half at their place, but after the break they were the better side. I am sure they deserve to be where they are in the league.

''I did think then that not only was the game a good advert for our league, but it was two good teams playing against each other.

''Looking at the positions now I think I was proved right.''

With four wins in succession - including the FA Cup success over Stockport - behind Swansea, Jackett has every right to be confident of continuing the run tomorrow.

But Yeovil too are in good form. They are unbeaten in seven and have won their last six league and cup games.

Both sides have scored 24 goals between them in their last three matches.

But even though he would love a repeat of last season's 3-2 win over the Glovers, Jackett would settle for a one-goal victory.

''They have scored goals and recently we have too,'' he said.

''But whoever you are you never win games easily. That's not the real world.

''Any win is a good one and I suppose the heart rate would go up a little if it were a 3-2 game.

''But I would definitely take 1-0.

''It's a mouthwatering contest and one we are all looking forward to.''

A bumper crowd in the region of 12,000 is expected for tomorrow's clash.

The Centre Stand and East Stand have already sold out, but there will be cash admission to the North Bank and half the West Terrace for home fans.

Turnstiles will be open at 2pm and the police and the club are urging supporters to get into the ground early.

There also a few tickets left for the Wing Stand and Family Stand, while Yeovil have sold more than 800 tickets.

ANDY ROBINSON admits there are a few points to be proved when Yeovil come to town tomorrow for the New Year's Day showdown.

But the livewire Liverpudlian has insisted that the only points that matter are the three the promotion rivals will be fighting for come kick-off.

Robinson is set to reclaim his left midfield berth for the white-hot clash following Bristol City's recall of Marc Goodfellow, and he is raring to go after a spell on the sidelines.

And the 25-year-old admitted he won't need an invitation to make an impact on a return to Kenny Jackett's starting XI.

"One man's loss is another man's gain," smiled Robinson on Goodfellow's absence and his expected recall.

"Marc coming here was great competition for places and, to be fair, the team did very well when he was in it.

"It's been up to me to do as much as I could coming off the bench. That hasn't bothered me because all I want is for this side is to get promotion.

"But if Marc going gives me my chance then you won't have to ask me twice. I'm raring to go and I speak for all the players when I say we can't wait for this one."

Judging by early ticket sales, neither can half of Swansea with a second bumper crowd of the week expected to fill the Vetch.

And Robinson insists the expectant support won't be disappointed by their team with a determination to rise to the occasion running through the Swansea camp.

Rivals for the automatic promotion places - Northampton, Southend, Yeovil themselves and more recently table-topping Scunthorpe - have all managed to see off the Swans so far this season, something Robinson intends to put right tomorrow.

"Scunthorpe were better than us on the day and Yeovil deserved it when we played down there for the way they came back in the second half," he said.

"But we want to put that right - we know we've got the squad to beat anyone - we've proved that and we have to prove it again.

"We deserve to be in the top three and we've got every right to be challenging for the title."

After a hotly-contested game at the Vetch last year, marked by two last-minute goals and some exuberant celebrations, relations between the two teams haven't been rosy since the Somerset side's introduction into league football last term.

And, with a distinct lack of local rivals in League Two, Swansea fans have had this fixture marked down since the games were drawn up back in June.

Yet, despite the hype, Robinson says it is important to remember that another win and another step on the promotion road is all that counts tomorrow.

"It's the biggest game of the season," he said. "I remember last year's game and there probably is something with us and Yeovil.

"I think the fans have enjoyed the games with them over the last two seasons. But we want to beat them because they're above us in the table.

"It's important because they are up there in the table, regardless of whether it's Yeovil or not.

"We want to beat sides that are up there with us and, if you look at the fixtures, all the top teams have got to come to us - that's a chance we can't sneeze at.

"We're quite good away from home and everything's looking good for us, but you still want to take the three points from your home games and off the teams in the top three.

"We're scoring goals, as they are, but they're conceding and we have to look at that. Whichever way you look at it, it's going to be a big one for the whole league.

"We want this so much and you'll see that attitude and passion out there with the Vetch atmosphere - it will be something.

"We are full of confidence and I honestly believe we can get all three points."

KENNY JACKETT has promised his Swans won't succumb to the "Gary O'Neil effect" after losing Marc Goodfellow ahead of tomorrow's promotion showdown with Yeovil.

The addition of Goodfellow sparked a run full of points and goals, culminating in Tuesday's comprehensive 3-1 win over Boston.

It echoed an impressive run of performances and results by rivals Cardiff City when they had the Portsmouth playmaker and England U21 captain Gary O'Neil.

Cardiff's form has faltered since O'Neil's premature departure in November but, after loan star Goodfellow was recalled by Bristol City, Jackett insists it will be business as usual tomorrow.

"There's no doubting Marc did very well for us," said Jackett. "I definitely felt he progressed and improved over his time here, and he enjoyed himself.

"He came in as cover when we had a tough period of games and he was good for us, as we were for his career.

"There are cases when teams can suffer when you lose a player like that, but I don't think there will be any sort of detrimental effect.

"In fact, I think the players will see it very much the other way, as another chance for them. All they are focused on is playing Yeovil - they are raring to go."

Chairman Huw Jenkins yesterday told the Western Mail he will do his best to lure the 23-year-old back to the Vetch.

And Jackett has hinted Goodfellow could be back in South Wales in the new year, but says it is too early to judge whether a permanent deal is a possibility.

"Marc is a good player and I am sure the chairman will back me in whatever I feel I have to do," he said. "But, for the moment, it really is a case of wait and see.

"Bristol City have a bit of an injury crisis at the moment so they're probably going to use him and let him build upon what he's achieved here.

"Secondly, they obviously paid a fee for him and are looking to get something back.

"But I have to be sure if I do follow it up then we get value for money.

"They have told us to make an offer, but we're not in a position to offer £100,000 for him.

"What we don't want to be doing is paying over the odds for somebody, no matter how much we want them.

"It really does depend on what happens with him at Bristol."

Andy Robinson - who scored twice as a sub in the 5-1 win at Kidderminster - should be recalled for the absent Goodfellow with fit-again Brad Maylett on the bench.

Only a point separates second-placed Yeovil and third-placed Swansea, with both closing the gap on leaders Scunthorpe.

Yeovil boss Gary Johnson said, "Kenny Jackett has done a fantastic job at the Vetch. They are in a high vein of form at present scoring lots of goals - just like us. So I suppose it will end up a 0-0 draw!

"We know and respect the atmosphere that the Swansea fans can create, but we have to go there and enjoy the game.

"Automatic promotion won't be won or lost on this game, but both teams will see it as a great game to win."

COULD Catherine Zeta-Jones be asked to open Swansea's £30m new joint soccer and rugby stadium'

The Ospreys and Swansea City FC which will move into their 20,000 seat new home on July 31 are looking for a celebrity to officially launch the venue.

Exterior work has nearly been completed and the contractors are now furnishing offices, conference suites, bars and player facilities.

After the last-ever Christmas match at Swansea's much-loved but past-its-sell-by-date Vetch Field the countdown for a grand opening for the new stadium at Morfa has begun.

Big name celebrities and politicians are being approached to attend an opening ceremony with Swansea-born Oscar winner Zeta-Jones being seen as a prime target because of her global profile.

And work is being done by the Ospreys and Swansea to line up big games for a series of high-profile inaugural matches.

Mark Evans, the FAW's international secretary said he was trying to set up a Wales versus Spain match at Swansea for next August.

The Ospreys management is also hopeful of a big match, possibly with a Zurich Premiership club from England.

Although work is only now starting on the pitch, which will need to stand up to the rigours of both football and rugby for nine months of the year, every one of the 20,280 black and white seats are in place.

The huge foundations of the as yet unnamed stadium (while the hunt for a major sponsor goes on) sit on 1,450 precast concrete piles.

The West Stand upper floor facilities cover a total area of 8,800 square metres.

To strengthen the pitch, plastic grass reinforcements will be put in place before it is seeded.

John Evans, senior associate with project managers Gardiner and Theobold, said the new stadium was something the city had needed for years. He said, "The Vetch has come to the end of its natural lifetime."

Swansea City have been told they will have to cough up cash if they want Marc Goodfellow to return to Vetch Field. The Bristol City winger's successful loan spell ended on Tuesday with the former Stoke man grabbing four goals in just eight league and cup outings.

Both clubs last week verbally agreed to extending Goodfellow's loan stay by an extra month.

But with a virus spreading through Ashton Gate and his side also hit by injuries, City player-boss Brian Tinnion decided the 23-year-old's impressive Vetch stay had to come to an end.

And Tinnion has warned Swansea they will have to pay a fee if they want Goodfellow back.

''Marc's loan is now up at Swansea and he will be coming back to us, confirmed Tinnion. ''We need him in the squad at a time when injury and illness is rife.

''We've had no bid from Swansea and if they want him again they will have to pay for him.''

Goodfellow has played only once for the League One club way back in August and was sent out on loan to Port Vale for a month before coming to Swansea.

He impressed Swansea manager Kenny Jackett during his eight games for the club.

Jackett would like to get Goodfellow on a permanent contract, but may have to resign himself to the fact that he might not pull on a Swansea shirt again.

Asked if the club had seen the last of Goodfellow, Jackett said he did not know, but added: ''I have been very pleased with him. He has been a very good player for us.

''It would be lovely if we could capture him permanently but we will have to wait and see what happens.

''Bristol City have called him back and that is as far as it goes. Whether they will use him or not I don't know, but they have been struggling for a goal.

''To be honest I could see it coming. They said yes to extending the loan last Monday and we sent the forms through straight away, but they have been on the table up there ever since and have not been sent off.

''I will look further into things but I think that's that.''

While Goodfellow's departure will be a blow for Jackett, he does have Andy Robinson to come in on the left flank for Saturday's big clash with rivals Yeovil.

Leon Britton should also be available after overcoming his knee injury, while Brad Maylett has been on the bench for Swansea's impressive wins over Kidderminster and Boston as he makes his recovery from a hernia operation.

Saturday's match is not all-ticket, but a crowd of around 12,000 is expected at the Vetch.

Swansea fans can buy tickets in advance from the club ticket office in William Street.

Half the West Terrace will hold up to 1,000 Yeovil supporters, with the other half open to home fans.

If the North Bank has to be closed prior to kick-off, as on Tuesday, those with pre-bought tickets can use season-ticket turnstiles to gain entry to the ground.

SWANSEA CITY chairman Huw Jenkins last night promised he will do all he can to sign loan winger Marc Goodfellow on a permanent basis.
But Jenkins warned he will "not throw money" at Bristol City in an attempt to land the 23-year-old, who scored four goals during his month-long loan spell at the Vetch.

The League One outfit yesterday recalled Goodfellow - who was expected to stay at Swansea for a second month - because of an injury and illness crisis at Ashton Gate.

Goodfellow scored in Swansea's 3-1 home win over Boston on Tuesday - his third goal in four games - a result that keeps them third in League Two.

Afterwards Swans chief Kenny Jackett said he wanted to sign the former Stoke player permanently.

But Bristol City paid £50,000 up front for Goodfellow earlier this year and they want a slice of that fee back.

Unless the Swans meet the Bristol club's demands, Jackett will not be able to call on Goodfellow for the mouth-watering New Year's Day shoot-out with second-placed Yeovil at the Vetch.

"Marc did a good job when he was with us, but he's a Bristol City player and what happens to him is in their hands," said Jenkins.

"He settled in well here and I'm sure Kenny would love to keep him. If there is something we can do, then we will help Kenny do it. But it's Bristol City's call.

He went on, "We're not going to throw money at this. I don't think that's the answer. We will have to wait and see what happens in the next week or so.

"Kenny wanted to bring in a left-sided midfielder and that's why we went for Marc.

"There were four or five other players he was interested in, but he decided to take Marc on loan.

"We don't know if there is a deal to be done or not regarding Marc. If not, I think Kenny has got other irons in the fire.

"There's no denying Marc made an impact here - but at the same time it coincided with the team playing well."

Goodfellow joined the Swans at the end of November and he netted four times during an impressive eight-match stint.

The Burton-born wideman booked the Welsh club's place in the third round of the FA Cup with a 30-yard winner against Stockport earlier this month and also supplied the winner at Oxford as well as goals against Kidderminster and Boston.

He joined the Robins last January in a deal that could rise to £100,000, but has been unable to establish himself in Brian Tinnion's first-team plans this season.

Jenkins believes the West Country club should let the winger leave Ashton Gate on a free transfer.

"Bristol City paid money for him and, when we took him on loan, they made it clear that they would be looking to get as much of that fee back as they can," he said.

"They bought the player in good faith. They paid a fee which they were happy with at the time, when Danny Wilson was their manager.

"But I don't want to pay for the mistakes other clubs make. They paid money for a player they haven't been using - that's not our problem.

"They can't rate him at Bristol because he hasn't been making their first team.

"If he's not going to play there then they should let him go so he can join us. We'd be taking a liability off Bristol City's books.

"It makes business sense to off-load Marc if they are not going to use him. Otherwise, they are paying someone for just playing in the reserves."

Goodfellow will resume training with the Robins today and there is a chance he could make Tinnion's 16-man squad for their home clash with Peterborough on New Year's Day.

"We need him in the squad at a time when injury and illness are rife," said Tinnion.

"We've had no bid from Swansea so, if they want him, they'll have to pay."

"At the moment he is due to train with us again from Thursday onwards."

SWANSEA CITY will head into their biggest game of the season without loan sensation Marc Goodfellow.

The 23-year-old has been a Vetch hit since joining on loan from Bristol City last month, scoring four goals in eight appearances.

But Goodfellow yesterday surprisingly returned to Ashton Gate following the completion of his one-month loan spell at Swansea.

It had been expected Goodfellow would have his Swans stay extended into a second month, starting with Saturday's clash against second-placed Yeovil which could attract a sell-out crowd to the Vetch.

But, with an injury and illness crisis sweeping Ashton Gate, Bristol City player-manager Brian Tinnion decided to recall Goodfellow (pictured).

"We need Marc in the squad at a time when injury and illness is rife," said Tinnion.

"We've had no bid from Swansea and, if they want him again, they will have to pay for him.

"At the moment he is due to train with us again from Thursday onwards."

A £50,000 signing from Stoke last January, Goodfellow has only made one appearance for Bristol this season but could now figure in the Robins' 16-man squad for the New Year's Day visit of Peterborough.

Goodfellow's departure is a blow for Swans boss Kenny Jackett despite the respective return of Andy Robinson and Brad Maylett from suspension and injury, especially as the Burton-born player had scored three goals in four games for the Swans.

Goodfellow could play for Bristol against Peterborough on Saturday

Bristol City have decided to end Marc Goodfellow's loan spell at Swansea. Goodfellow, who has scored four goals during his one month spell at Swansea, was expected to stay for another month with the League Two club.

But injuries and illness at Ashton Gate has forced City player-manager Brian Tinnion to recall the winger.

Said Tinnion: "We need him in the squad at a time when injury and illness are rife. We've had no bid from Swansea so if they want him they'll have to pay."

Lee Trundle reckons Swansea City are primed to strike a blow in the League Two title race when Yeovil visit on New Year's Day after a thumping win over Boston completed their cracking Christmas. Kenny Jackett's men maintained their fine festive form with a 3-1 success at Vetch Field yesterday, sealed inside the first 27 minutes thanks to strikes from Trundle, Adrian Forbes and Marc Goodfellow.

Swansea, still third in the table but seven points clear of the play-offs after a third straight resounding win, take on second-placed Yeovil knowing victory would push them above the Glovers as the pursuit of leaders Scunthorpe gathers speed.

And Trundle admits they are brimming with confidence ahead of a game which could prove significant in the final shake-up come May.

He said: ''It's a massive game against Yeovil and, given the form we're in, I don't think they'll fancy coming here.

''We played really well in the first half at their place but in the second half they played us off the park really.

''It still took an unlucky penalty to beat us, and we're looking to put things right by beating them on Saturday.

''It wouldn't be the end of the world if we didn't because it's still early in the season, but we know we can go above them with a win and that's something we want to do because we believe we can win this league.

''We're confident because we're not just nicking games by the odd goal at the moment. We're scoring goals and we know we can get a result.''

The latest Christmas stuffing dished out by Swansea - Notts County (4-0) and Kidderminster (5-1) had suffered in their two previous games - was watched by more than 10,000 fans, the biggest crowd of the season in the Coca-Cola basement.

''It makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you hear at 2.45pm that the North Bank and the main stand have been closed and the fans are queuing at the other ends of the ground,'' boss Jackett said.

''I'm sure it will be another big crowd for what is almost a local derby against Yeovil, and we'd love to kick off the new year as we mean to go on with another win.''

Swansea are anticipating a crowd in excess of 12,000 for the Yeovil clash and, though it is not all-ticket, the club are stressing that tickets are available in advance.

''Every footballer wants to play in front of the biggest crowds they can, and hopefully they will be out in force again,'' added Trundle. ''Our fans are outstanding.''

Jackett, meanwhile, reserved special praise for Goodfellow after his fourth goal since joining on loan from Bristol City.

''Marc's helped us score more goals because he is a natural left-footer with pace and I've been very pleased with what he has brought,'' he said.

2004 - the year when Brian Flynn got his coat and Swansea City found a new Jackett. It is not only Kenny Jackett who hopes there will be no need for Swansea City to change manager once again in 2005.

If he is still with us when the mince pies are handed out in 12 months' time, then Swansea should have had a pretty good year.

In other words, they will be acclimatising to life in League One as well as their new stadium.

With 22 league games to go - including the last 11 of a 93-year stay at Vetch Field - they look to be on course.

The players were not raising a glass with their lunch the other day, but Jackett gave them a toast with his turkey.

Together they have the chance to etch their names in Swansea history, as the side who said farewell to the Vetch with a promotion celebration.

Jackett's name was not exactly up in lights when he was unveiled as the man to lead Swansea in this momentous season last April.

The chairman had enthused about a high-profile appointment as anticipation grew in the wake of Flynn's springtime departure.

The arrival of a relative unknown with only one year's managerial experience left Swansea's followers somewhat underwhelmed.

There was an inauspicious beginning - only two victories came in the first 12 matches under the new regime.

There were catcalls from the stands by the time Swansea exited the Carling Cup without so much as a whimper at Queens Park Rangers in late summer.

But Jackett - and, as the man who appointed him, chairman Huw Jenkins - have had the last laugh.

Swansea's owners have a right to expect some success. They are one of the biggest, if not the biggest, payers in the Coca-Cola basement.

That does not guarantee victories, of course, so credit should go to Jackett for using his money wisely.

Sam Ricketts, Kevin Austin, Garry Monk and Andy Gurney have made Swansea a tough nut to crack, and when they are beaten, the revelation who is Willy Gueret has often come to the rescue.

The bold decision to play Kris O'Leary - and now Alan Tate - in midfield has paid dividends in the goals-against column too.

As for the goals-for tally, well Swansea are still grateful to Jackett's predecessor.

Flynn continues to receive unjustified flak on supporters' websites, many fans having forgotten, it seems, that he is the man who tempted Lee Trundle to South Wales.

The Scouse striker began 2004 by scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Macclesfield, part of the FA Cup run which saw Swansea lose their way in the league.

After a hat-trick in their last game before Christmas, he is ending December in similar mood.

With Trundle counting goals and Swansea clocking up clean sheets, the outlook for the New Year looks fairly bright.

The snow may have melted, but the White Christmas goes on. Boston became the third side in 10 days to disappear in a Swansea City blizzard, leaving Kenny Jackett to reflect that the League Two title race has been blown wide open again.

Barely a fortnight ago Scunthorpe United's manager, Brian Laws, was crowing about the healthy position of his team after victory over Jackett's men had put eight points between the clubs.

Three Swansea wins later, plus a couple of unexpected Scunthorpe draws, and the gap is down to four.

''I've said to my players that everything is still to play for including first spot, and I think we're capable of getting that,'' Jackett said.

''Scunthorpe were excellent when we played them - they were strong, powerful and very hard to beat.

''But I've been delighted with the response from my players since we lost up there.

''We've won four straight games (including the FA Cup success over Stockport) and I think it's wide open at the top now.

''It would be unusual if anyone had sealed anything at Christmas time. I believe last season two of the top four at the end of December in this division didn't even make the play-offs but I don't think that's the case now.''

Jackett is entitled to be in upbeat mood.

After Notts County were clattered and Kidderminster crushed, Boston were beaten inside 27 minutes yesterday.

Twelve Swansea goals have come in the trio of festive fixtures - some going for a team who had managed only 21 in the previous 21 league outings this term.

Suddenly there is not such a reliance on a miserly defence - who, by the way, have kept up the Scrooge impressions over Christmas - as Jackett's side have discovered the goalscoring touch which Brian Flynn inspired at the start of last season.

''With the goals we're getting, you'd have to say this is the best form we've had since I came to the club,'' added the Swansea boss.

''It would be lovely to continue in this vein and kill opponents off every week, but in real life that's not going to happen.

''Some sides who win by four or five can be flash-in-the-pan teams and what we must do now is keep our feet on the ground.

''Usually when you look at sides who win things, the majority of their victories are by a single goal.

''That's just the way it works and, after all, one-goal wins are good.''

Swansea's fans might take some convincing after a Yuletide run which none could have anticipated.

Their team began against Boston where they had left off against Kidderminster.

Three goals had come in the last four minutes at Aggborough, the next arrived only five minutes into a triumphant return to the Vetch.

Lee Trundle, who had surprisingly missed out in the Harriers hammering, got in on the act after a free-kick was moved to the edge of the penalty box because of Boston dissent.

Swansea's top-scorer took his tally for the season to 12 with a fierce low drive. Visiting keeper Nathan Abbey hardly moved.

The former Burnley stopper sprang into action moments later to claw out another Trundle set-piece, but paid a high price when embarking on his travels once more 21 minutes in.

Stationed on the right flank some 30 yards from goal, Adrian Forbes was trying only to send the ball back into the danger area after Abbey had parried Alan Tate's shot.

But Abbey came off his line too soon in anticipation of the centre, and Forbes's sliced effort spun into the gaping net.

Boston's last line of defence had been left in a heap as he tried to readjust, and he was on his knees again when the move of the match ended in goal No. 3.

Paul Connor flicked on Willy Gueret's punt, Trundle looped a sweet pass to Marc Goodfellow and the on-loan Bristol City man did the rest, controlling on the volley before finishing with aplomb.

''It was a terrific strike by Lee and I thought he had an excellent game,'' purred Jackett.

''Maybe there was an element of fortune about our second goal. I remember seeing Graham Rix score one like that on purpose when he noticed the keeper coming off his line, but I'm not sure you could necessarily say that this time.

''But the third goal had real quality. It was a very good move and another clinical finish from Marc.''

Goodfellow might have had a second after another delightful contribution from Trundle as Swansea's confidence soared.

You could tell they were having a good day when Connor tried a chip with his weaker left foot from 25 yards. That one was tipped over by Abbey, and the home side failed to add to their tally in a less inspiring second half.

There were further opportunities: Trundle shaved a post and Connor smacked a shot against the woodwork. But the biggest Vetch crowd of the season could hardly go home complaining, even if Boston grabbed a late consolation through Jason Lee.

''The game didn't really flow after the break,'' Jackett went on.

''We wanted to go on and get ourselves further ahead, but it got a bit scrappy.

''Having said that, we got the points and I'm satisfied with that.

''We went into this game with 42 points from 23 games, the halfway point in the season.

''If we can replicate that - and we've made a good start here - then we'll have a good total in May.''

After a White Christmas, Swansea await a green light to League One come spring.

BRIDGWATER Town's 16-year-old striker Nat Pepperell starts a full-time career with Coca-Cola League second-division club Swansea City this week.

Pepperell, who lives in Taunton, impressed Swansea when he played for Town under-18s in an FA Youth Cup tie at Newport County in the autumn. After watching him again in the under-18s' Youth Cup exit at the hands of Bristol City, Swansea gave him and co-striker Matt Shaxton (18) a trial.

Boston United boss Steve Evans admits Pilgrims fans have every right to feel 'short-changed' following yesterday's first half horror show at Swansea.

The Scot was left fuming by the first 45 minutes of the 3-1 League Two defeat at the Vetch Field, as the Pilgrims found themselves 3-0 down at the break.

Goals from striker Lee Trundle, midfielder Adrian Forbes and winger Marc Goodfellow effectively sealed the points for Swans boss Kenny Jackett.

Although striker Jason Lee hit a late consolation, it was not enough for Evans who felt sorry for the small band of travelling Boston fans.

"At half-time I told the players to go out in the second half and win a tackle, pass the ball and play with a bit of pride," said Evans. "We were 3-0 down and the points were lost, so in the second half it was all about competing man-for-man.

"But more importantly, it was about competing for our fans behind the goal who left Boston at 7am yesterday morning to come and watch the football club.

"On our first half display, the fans will have felt short-changed and they have every right to be."

Evans' side have another chance to net only their second away win in the league on New Year's Day when they travel to Cambridge United.

And Evans has promised to bring in some new faces before the trip to the Abbey Stadium as he seeks a rare win away from York Street.

"We have got a small squad and we desperately need some new blood," said Evans. "The chairman has given me the go ahead and I am positive we will get some good news before Saturday's trip to Cambridge."

Swansea City 3 Boston United 1: THREE goals in under 30 minutes condemned the Pilgrims to yet another away-day defeat. The 10,000-strong Swans crowd roared the home side on as they took the game to Boston in the opening stages.

And it took the promotion favourites just five minutes to notch their first goal.

Adrian Forbes' darting run came to an abrupt halt as he was checked 25 yards out by Paul Ellender.

Austin McCann's arguing earned him a booking before ref Jarnail Singh moved the ball forward to the edge of the box and Lee Trundle stepped up to drive a low left-footer past Nathan Abbey.

United could have had an instant equaliser but Lee Thompson's 20-yard dipper was parried by Willy Gueret.

Abbey then denied Trundle his second goal from a free kick, palming the ball away from the top corner.

He was then on hand to parry Alan Tate's long-range effort, but Forbes whipped the rebound back into the box and Abbey lost his footing and could only watch the ball bounce over his body and into the net.

But there was a touch of class about Swansea's third.

Trundle's pass dissected the United defence and Marc Goodfellow sprinted into the box and placed his low shot under Abbey's body and into the far corner.

Steve Evans' hairdryer treatment to his flu-ridden squad saw an improved second-half performance.

Daryl Clare twice shot down the throat of Gueret as the Pilgrims battled for possession.

Abbey made a brave stop at the feet of Paul Connor but could only watch as the same player smashed his shot against the bar from an acute angle.

United's breakthrough came when Danny Thomas's corner was volleyed against the upright by Lee Beevers and sub Jason Lee knocked home the rebound.

Paul Ellender's cross-shot almost restored a little more pride for the visitors, but Gueret's fingertips ensured it was going to be a long journey home to Lincolnshire.

SWANSEA: Gueret, Austin, Tate, Martinez, Trundle, Forbes (Robinson 80), Connor (Nugent 84), Anderson, Iriekpen, Goodfellow, Ricketts; subs (not used): Murphy, Maylett, Jones.

UNITED: Abbey, West, Ellender, Beevers, McCann, Melton (Rusk ht), Thompson, Holland, Thomas, Kirk (Lee 73), Clare; subs (not used): Pitt, O'Halloran, Staff.

Att: 10,162.

Ref: Jarnail Singh.

Star man: Daryl Clare. Battled tirelessly despite chances being few and far between.

Swansea manager Kenny Jackett hopes to cap off a fine festive period with a win over promotion rivals Yeovil at the Vetch Field on Saturday.
The Swans have scored 12 goals in three successive League Two wins but will face a stern test against Yeovil, who are a point ahead in second place.

"The games are coming thick and fast and we have to focus on Saturday," Jackett told BBC Wales Sport.

"It's a massive game and I can guarantee it will be a terrific game."

Swansea wrapped up the three points against Boston on Tuesday in the first 30 minutes with goals from Lee Trundle, Adrian Forbes and Marc Goodfellow.

Boston hit back with a late second-half goal and Jackett admitted he was slightly disappointed his side failed to keep a clean sheet.

"We started at a great tempo and 3-0 up after half an hour was fantastic," said Jackett. "It would have been nice if after that we could have got the ball down and passed it around and killed the game.

"But whether you win, lose or draw the big thing is the next game. There's always things to learn from the last game you've played but you have to look forward."

KENNY JACKETT has challenged his Swansea City side to overhaul League Two leaders Scunthorpe after watching them serve up another Christmas cracker to take a step closer to promotion.

The Swans remain firmly on course for League One football after following up emphatic victories over Notts County and Kidderminster with a 3-1 win over Boston United at the Vetch Field.

Swansea's biggest gate of the season - a bumper 10,162 - were treated to another goal feast as Lee Trundle, Adrian Forbes and Marc Goodfellow all struck inside the first 30 minutes to maintain the Swans' fine festive form.

Boston pulled a goal back through Jason Lee, but Jackett's men had done enough to record a victory that keeps them third in the table with a seven-point gap on nearest challengers Southend.

The Swans missed out on the chance to go second after Yeovil, visitors to the Vetch on Saturday, came back from 2-0 down to thump Cambridge 5-3.

But Swansea have closed the gap on table-topping Scunthorpe to four points after Brian Laws' men could only record a scoreless draw at home to Notts County.

And Jackett has set his sights on snatching the League Two championship.

"Everything is still to play for - including top spot and we're more than capable of getting that," said the Swans boss.

"I think Scunthorpe are an excellent side, but, since we were beaten by them a few weeks ago, the response from my players has been magnificent.

"So I still firmly believe all of the top three places are up for grabs. No one has sealed a place and it's wide open.

"Having said that, we're now in a very good position with a seven-point cushion on the team below us. We can only lose it. It's up to us to capitalise on what we've achieved in the first half of the season."

Jackett was smiling once again after Swansea followed up their 4-0 Vetch Field win against Notts County and the 5-1 Boxing Day thrashing of Kidderminster with another comfortable Christmas win.

"Three quick goals, including another great free-kick from Lee Trundle and a clinical finish from Marc Goodfellow, meant the game was almost beyond doubt after 30 minutes, although Boston showed terrific spirit and kept coming back at us," he said.

"What we needed to do was win the second half as convincingly as we did the first, but it didn't quite pan out like that.

"But I'm certainly satisfied with the result. It's nice to see the goals going in, and I think one of the contributory factors behind that is the introduction of Marc Goodfellow.

"He's a natural left-footer and his pace on the break has helped to speed up our movement in recent matches.

"As I've said before, though, we won't always be winning games by fives or fours or threes. If you look at all the top teams across the country, most of them win games by the odd goal.

"What this result does, though, is set things up nicely for a massive game against Yeovil on Saturday. I'm really looking forward to that one.

"They beat us 1-0 earlier in the season, but I think the two sides demonstrated on that occasion that they were both promotion contenders."

And, after Swansea's attendance crashed through the 10,000 mark for the first time this season, Jackett urged fans to turn up in numbers once again.

"To have that many fans packed inside the ground was fantastic," he said.

"The hairs on the back of my neck stood up when I heard at 2.45pm that they were closing the gates to the North Bank because it was full up.

"As a manager, that gives you a fantastic feeling, and it would be tremendous if we could have a similarly strong turnout against Yeovil."

THREE more goals, three more points and another confident stride towards promotion... what a Christmas this has been for Swansea City.

Swansea's festive flourish continued as they made it three league wins in a row and added easily to the nine goals they put past Notts County and Kidderminster.

The biggest Vetch Field crowd of the season - a bumper 10,162 - were sent into a frenzy as Swansea raced into a 3-0 lead inside the opening 30 minutes.

A Lee Trundle free-kick, a freak strike from Adrian Forbes and a clinical finish from Marc Goodfellow put paid to a Boston side who grabbed a late consolation goal through former Nottingham Forest striker Jason Lee.

That took some of the gloss off the victory, with many Swans fans having probably anticipated a repeat of the 5-1 Boxing Day stuffing of Kidderminster once the three goals had gone in.

But no one at the Vetch will be splitting hairs after a result that keeps Swansea firmly entrenched in League Two's automatic promotion zone.

And, with second-placed Yeovil the visitors to the Vetch on Saturday for a mouth-watering promotion shoot-out, Kenny Jackett's men continue to show signs of improvement with each game.

After the five-goal feast at Kidderminster, the Swansea side had pretty much picked itself, with Sam Ricketts returning from a one-match ban to replace right-back Andy Gurney, who was starting a three-game ban for his rather needless Boxing Day red card.

Andy Robinson might have considered himself unfortunate not to make the starting line-up after scoring twice as a second-half substitute at Aggborough, but it is indicative of the current strength of the Swans squad that he and the likes of former Burnley winger Brad Maylett are keeping the bench warm at the moment.

Expectant Swansea fans had jammed into the Vetch hungry for more goals, but they scarcely could have expected things to go quite as swimmingly as they did.

It took just five minutes for the floodgates to open, Trundle putting the Swans in front with his 12th goal of the season and his fourth in two home matches.

Boston conceded a free-kick on the edge of their penalty area, directly in line with the centre of goal, and Trundle bent it low round the wall and past the motionless keeper.

United threatened briefly when Lee Thompson drew an impressive diving save from Willy Gueret with a rising 18-yard drive, but then the game simply drifted away from the visitors in unbelievable fashion.

Trundle almost claimed a second of the afternoon with another free-kick - this time from 25 yards out - that would have nestled in the top right-hand corner had keeper Nathan Abbey not used all of his frame to palm it away.

Swansea's top scorer had another attempt headed off the line by Paul Ellender before Jackett's men doubled their lead with a contender for most bizzare goal of the season.

Alan Tate's 25-yard effort produced another smart save from Abbey, but it was cleared only as far as Forbes loitering out on the right wing. The former Luton striker picked out Paul Connor at the far post, but mis-hit his cross straight towards goal, wrong-footing Abbey and causing him to slip as he attempted in vain to prevent the ball wriggling embarrassingly past him.

"Easy! Easy! Easy!" roared the exuberant Swans fans... and it was about to get easier.

On 27 minutes it was 3-0 as Connor flicked on to Trundle, who sent Goodfellow scampering down the left. The on-loan Bristol City winger claimed his fourth Swans goal, further strengthening his case for a permanent Vetch contract in the process, when he took one touch to control the ball and a second to roll it underneath the sprawling keeper.

Connor almost registered a fourth Swansea goal in the 38th minute with a 25-yard lob that was expertly tipped over the bar by Abbey before Gueret made a crucial stop of his own at the other end in denying Chris Holland.

It had been a breathtaking first half, but Swansea kept up the pressure after the interval, Trundle almost squeezing the ball home after collecting a pass from Tate and wrestling between the keeper and defender Lee Beevers.

To the frustration of home fans itching for a bit more entertainment, Swansea sat back somewhat in an attempt to preserve their comfortable lead as Boston swapped 12-goal Northern Ireland international Andy Kirk for that much-lampooned striker Lee.

But chances did still arrive and, 12 minutes from the end, Connor was almost rewarded for another industrious display when he struck the angle of post and bar after racing onto a lofted pass from Ijah Anderson.

Connor fired over the crossbar with another chance he had created for himself, before Boston grabbed a consolation goal when Beevers struck the woodwork from a corner and Lee showed good composure to bury the rebound.

That set up a nervous last few minutes for the Swans as Boston committed 10 men forward and Paul Ellender almost reduced the deficit further with a smart 90th-minute curler that Gueret pushed over the bar.

WHEN Sam Ricketts quit Conference football for Swansea City in the summer, winning a Wales call-up understandably wasn't the first thing on his mind.
After missing the chance to impress Wales U21 bosses a few years ago, the Swans defender thought international recognition had pretty much passed him by.

All of a sudden, though, it is back on the agenda. Ricketts could be in line for a shock Wales call-up as national team boss John Toshack plans a Vetch Field spying mission.

"Apparently, the Wales manager has spoken to the gaffer (Swans boss Kenny Jackett) about me and he's coming down to watch me in the Yeovil game on Saturday," said the left-back, who qualifies for Wales through his Cardiff-born grandmother.

"I think John Toshack has enquired about me because Ben Thatcher is suspended for the next three Wales games.

"He's looking for cover at left-back, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

"This is something that has come completely out of the blue. Obviously I knew I was eligible to play for Wales, but I had no idea John Toshack was aware of me or how well I'd been playing this season.

"When you're playing at League Two level, the possibility of playing international football isn't exactly the first thing that crops up in your mind!"

The chances of Ricketts being part of Toshack's first Wales team - for the Millennium Stadium friendly against Hungary on February 9 - would appear quite slim.

But that won't stop the 23-year-old former Oxford defender dreaming of rubbing shoulders with Giggs, Hartson, Bellamy and company.

"I'm not going to read too much into the fact John Toshack's coming to watch me, but if I was to get called up for Wales it would be fantastic because it's something I didn't even aim for," he said.

"Just to be called up and be part of a squad containing some great Premiership players would be a brilliant experience.

"To train with them and be around them would be superb. Playing international football isn't something I've been thinking about.

"I played for the England non-league side last year, which was a good experience, but I thought that was pretty much it as far as my international career was concerned.

"A year or two before that I tried to get picked for the Wales U21 side, but because I wasn't in the first team at Oxford no one came down to watch me. I thought that was the end of it really."

Should Toshack be in touch, it would undoubtedly put the gloss on what has been a successful return to the Football League for the Aylesbury-born defender.

Since arriving at the Vetch from Telford, Ricketts has been one of the unsung heroes of Swansea's promotion push, operating on either side of one of the meanest defences around and not missing a single game before suspension ruled him out of Sunday's 5-1 demolition of Kidderminster.

"Like the team as a whole, I think I've got better as the season has gone on," said Ricketts, who might return at right-back for today's visit of Boston as Andy Gurney must serve the first of a probable three-game ban for his Boxing Day red card at Aggborough Stadium.

"I've enjoyed the way things have gone for me, but I think there's still plenty to improve on.

"It was disappointing to miss the Kidderminster game because, providing I was selected, I'd set my sights on playing every game this season.

"But it's just one of those things and now I'm excited about hopefully being back in the side for another important game.

"The other players have set things up nicely with a brilliant result at Kidderminster and, with Yeovil coming up as well, we want to continue picking up points to keep us in the top three."

Having collected six points and nine goals from their last two matches, it has been a merry Christmas indeed for Swansea and, with Saturday's tussle with fierce promotion rivals Yeovil in view, Jackett will welcome more of the same against a Boston side who have enjoyed an extended festive break after their Boxing Day encounter with Lincoln fell foul of the weather.

The Swans boss has one or two selection dilemmas after the five-goal feast at Kidderminster. Jackett must decide whether to reward Andy Robinson for scoring twice as a substitute with a starting place or stick with another of the Aggborough goal scorers, Marc Goodfellow.

Winger Brad Maylett is also available again, though Adrian Forbes is expected to push back up the pitch after operating as a makeshift right-back when Gurney was dismissed.

Swansea City v Boston Utd: at-a-glance guide

Swansea City: Probable: Gueret, Ricketts, Iriekpen, Austin, Anderson, Forbes, Tate, Martinez, Goodfellow, Trundle, Connor. Subs (from): Murphy, Nugent, Robinson, Maylett, Jones, Fisken.

Player to watch - Marc Goodfellow: Three goals in five matches for Swansea now and really starting to hit top form on the left of midfield.

Boston Utd: Probable: Abbey, West, Beevers, Ellender, McCann, Thomas, Holland, Noble, O'Halloran, Kirk, Clare. Subs: Lee, Melton, Pitt, Rusk, Staff.

Player to watch - Andy Kirk: The one-time Northern Ireland striker is being tipped to add to his five caps having scored 10 league goals so far this season.

Referee: Jarnail Singh (Middlesex).

Form guide: Swansea have picked up three wins from their last four league matches, two of which have been emphatic. Boston have won three, lost two and drawn one in six.

Ian Hunt's verdict: A third straight win for Kenny Jackett's side, who should have too much quality for a Boston side who don't travel well.

Swansea manager Kenny Jackett said he was delighted with the result and the performance.


"The only slight on that was Andy Gurney's sending off and I have to say the referee was justified in his decision because Andy gave him very little choice," Jackett said. "That was the only slight on a very good day.

"Playing with 10 men was difficult for long periods of the game but we counter-attacked very well with 10 men and our quality on the break was excellent.

"Their goal probably stung us back into action and I thought we thoroughly deserved what turned out to be a very convincing win.

"The victory has set us up nicely for the holiday period and we have two big home gains against Boston and Yeovil to come with two great crowds in prospect."

Kidderminster manager Stuart Watkiss condemned his players for throwing in the towel towards the end of their game against Swansea.

The visitors scored three times in the last two minutes to win 5-1 as Kidderminster remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

"First and foremost it wasn't a 5 -1 result. You take the first two minutes out of the game and probably the last two and there is nothing in it," Watkiss said.

"After they had a player sent off we had a lot of the play but they looked dangerous on the break. However when we got the goal with eight minutes to go you could only see us scoring again.

"So I have had to point out some home truths in the dressing room because unfortunately from the third goal onwards the players showed why they are bottom of the league and threw the towel in.

"I will be embarrassed to pick up the paper and see the score but I'm not sure whether certain individuals in the dressing room will see it the same way and whether it has hurt them enough."

THE pitch invasion might have been taking things a touch too far, but you could understand the excitement of the Swansea fans after this five-goal extravaganza.

"The Jacks are going up" sang the jubilant travelling supporters and, on this evidence, it is hard to disagree with them.

Ten-man Swansea followed up their 4-0 thrashing of Notts County by destroying hapless Kidderminster with two goals inside the first nine minutes and three in a frenzied finale.

Harriers were rocked on their heels when Paul Connor headed the Swans in front after just 36 seconds and Izzy Iriekpen made it 2-0 eight minutes later, each profiting from constantly poor Kidderminster defending.

Swansea were down to 10 men after 29 minutes when Andy Gurney was red-carded for petulantly kicking midfielder Simon Russell in the calf, and for Kenny Jackett's men it was then a case of fighting to preserve the lead.

Despite briefly threatening to snatch a draw when sub Blair Sturrock pulled one back in the 81st minute, Kidderminster couldn't take advantage of the extra man and Swansea proceeded to run riot.

Jackett was able to withdraw top-scorer Lee Trundle and watch replacement Andy Robinson score twice - one from the penalty spot after Liam Burns had chopped down Marc Goodfellow and another in stoppage time after a weaving run that took him past four defenders.

In between those two strikes Goodfellow had claimed his third Swansea goal to make it another highly-satisfying afternoon for Jackett as Kidderminster showed why they appear destined for the Conference.

"To some degree, the sending off made things difficult for us for long periods of the game, but I was proud of my players for producing a convincing and thoroughly-deserved win," said Jackett, after his promotion-chasers kept up the pressure on League Two front-runners Scunthorpe and Yeovil.

"Perhaps it wasn't our best performance of the season, but it does say something that we can go down to 10 men yet go on to win 5-1.

"We got off to a great start with the two early goals, our quality on the break was excellent, we had a good back line and scored some terrific second-half goals.

"I'd like to think things are coming together, but my old adage is look forward rather than back. I just can't wait now for the two home games coming up this week against Boston and Yeovil."

But Jackett must also address whether he should punish Gurney, who faces a probable three-game ban that would start with Boston's visit to the Vetch tomorrow. The former Swindon Town defender's misdemeanour, which occurred after he lost a battle for possession near the halfway line, did not look particularly vicious, but it was needless. Why test the patience of the referee'

"I felt there were a number of things the referee didn't put our way, but he was justified in his decision to send Andy off," admitted Jackett.

"Andy gave him very little choice and the red card was the only slight on a very good day for us.

"It was almost petulance and I'm disappointed with that. He has had seven yellow cards and one red now and that, from my point of view as well as Andy's, is disappointing."

Suspension had already deprived Swansea of Sam Ricketts for this trip to Worcestershire and, with Garry Monk also midway through a four-game ban, Jackett can ill afford to let this ill-disciplined streak continue.

Swansea's opponents had gone into this match desperate for a win to aid what looks certain to be a season-long fight against relegation.

New Kidderminster boss Stuart Watkiss had toiled as hard as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, adding two new recruits - Sturrock from Plymouth and Burns from Shrewsbury - to a squad so stretched that he had just 14 fit professionals at one point last week.

But any hopes Watkiss had of an immediate reversal in fortune were shattered inside the first nine minutes as Swansea, somewhat disbelievingly, raced into a 2-0 lead.

Only 36 seconds had elapsed when Gurney swung in a cross behind a mass of bodies, from where Connor and Alan Tate both emerged unmarked. And all it needed was the slightest flick of the head from Connor to divert the ball past stunned keeper Ryan Clarke.

Eight minutes later and Swansea doubled their advantage with another soft goal. Roberto Martinez floated in a free-kick and the ball dribbled over the line after appearing to take the slightest of touches off Iriekpen's chest.

The former West Ham centre-back didn't know much about it, but he certainly claimed it - that was clear through his and Tate's animated celebrations - though there was a suggestion defender Abdou Sall might have got the final touch.

To their credit, Kidderminster launched a spirited fightback - albeit without there being much of an end product - and it could hardly be said that Swansea had a firm grip on the game.

Though Gurney's dismissal levelled things up somewhat for the remainder of the half, Swansea almost claimed another fortuitous goal on 32 minutes when Connor saw an 18-yard effort ricochet off Johnny Mullins and dribble a fraction wide of the left-hand post.

Swansea defended stoutly throughout the second half until Sturrock converted a cross into the box with a pinpoint header on 81 minutes.

No matter, though, because Robinson, returning from suspension, turned the match back in Swansea's favour with the penalty before topping things off in style with a fine left-foot finish in the dying moments.

Just before that, the hard-working Goodfellow had made it 4-1 with a blistering finish after finding himself in yards of space inside the box.

Cue the mini-pitch invasion from some of the 1,500 travelling fans and Jackett starting to plot the downfall of Boston.

"As pleased I am with the win, I've put the game behind me already because in less than 48 hours we play against a very good Boston side," said Jackett.

And they'll be pouring through the Vetch Field gates after this one.

ADRIAN FORBES believes Swansea are proving a point to the sceptics who claimed Kenny Jackett's men would not score enough goals to win promotion.

Over the last two matches the Swans have put their goal drought behind them in emphatic style, mauling Notts County 4-0 before destroying Kidderminster with yesterday's five-goal demolition.

And Forbes, who performed magnificently as a makeshift right-back after Andy Gurney was sent off midway through the first half, is delighted with the way Swansea are proving the critics wrong.

"I've heard people saying we don't score enough goals to be successful, and we've all been keen to prove that's not the case," said the former Luton winger.

"With the likes of Lee Trundle and Paul Connor up front, I genuinely believe that if they get the service, they'll score a lot of goals.

"And look what's happened in the last two matches. Lee got a hat-trick against Notts County last week and here Andy came off the bench to score two.

"Marc (Goodfellow) added one and even Izzy (Iriekpen) has popped up with a dubious one he's trying to claim!

"The goals are starting to come from all over the pitch and I'm confident that will continue."

Forbes has performed either as a winger or a striker for Swansea this season, but on this occasion he was pressed into defensive duties after Gurney's red card.

"That was a strange one," he smiled. "The boss didn't tell me to go to right-back, I just took it upon myself to go there.

"I was happy to do that because it least it meant we still had four across the back.

"To get two goals so early on meant we had to defend for the best part of 80 minutes, but I thought we did that quite well.

"I'd like to play up front, but I've been doing a job on the right wing and now I'm in danger of playing myself into a regular full-back role.

"I'll have to wait and see what the boss says ahead of the next game!

"Being stuck on the edge of our penalty box when we went forward meant there was no chance of me either getting on the scoresheet or helping the lads celebrate the goals.

"But we did well going forward and I was happy to be part of a defence that only conceded the one goal."

Swansea now face Boston at the Vetch tomorrow before the big promotion shoot-out at home to Yeovil on Saturday.

And Forbes reckons the Swans are in pretty good shape after getting their Christmas schedule off to such a great start.

He said, "This was a superb result for us. We knew that if we played to the best of our ability, we'd get a win and what a win it was!

"We've now recorded our two best wins of the season by a mile, and things are really starting to come together now.

"The likes of Marc Goodfellow and Ijah Anderson have given a bit extra to the team. I thought the pair of them were superb going down the left-hand side.

"At the moment, we're feeling good going into the two home games this week and confident we can pick up another six points.

"Boston is a game we're capable of winning, and we've got a point to prove against Yeovil because they thought they'd won the league when they beat us 1-0 earlier in the season."

Sturrock has joined Kidderminster until the end of the season

Kidderminster have signed Plymouth forward Blair Sturrock, son of Sheffield Wednesday manager Paul. Argyle agreed to terminate the 23-year-old's contract, allowing him to join the League's bottom club on a free transfer until the end of the season.

"He's a useful player," Harriers boss Stuart Watkiss told his club's website.

"He's been unfortunate not to get a look-in at Plymouth - hopefully coming here will get his career back on track and help get our season going again."

Sturrock made 63 league appearances in three years at Plymouth - but 54 of those were as a substitute.

He has recently had trial spells at Northampton, Bristol Rovers and Swansea.

The Harriers have also signed ex-Shrewsbury defender Liam Burns on non-contract forms, and registered youth team players Danny Hodnett, Stephen Thompson and Jermaine Hollis with the senior squad.

But Welling defender Narada Bernard has been released after failing to impress while on trial, and fellow trialist Steve Hayward has fallen victim to illness.

Kenny Jackett reckons that Marc Goodfellow and Ijah Anderson could both earn permanent contracts at Vetch Field. Both signed extensions to their current deals yesterday.

Anderson, a free agent, agreed to extend his contract for a further month, while Goodfellow has signed for an extra month's loan from Bristol City.

Goodfellow has played four times and scored twice for Swansea City since making his debut against Bury at the end of last month.

Anderson, who also made his Vetch bow in that 3-1 defeat to the Shakers, has made two appearances in that time.

He did not figure in the 16 against Notts County last week, but is expected to take the place of suspended Sam Ricketts on Boxing Day at Aggborough in the left-back role.

Goodfellow will battle it out with Andy Robinson for the wide left berth.

And Jackett reckons that long-term both could become regular first-teamers.

''I have been impressed with both of their attitudes since they arrived at the Vetch,'' said Jackett.

''They have both contributed well during their time here.

''We did not have that good a November, but December has gone well so far. Hopefully, they can be a part of what we do from now on.

''There is a possibility that both of them can earn permanent deals with us.''

Joining Goodfellow and Anderson in the Boxing Day squad could be Brad Maylett, who has trained well this week after recovering from a hernia operation.

Gary Fisken could also feature at Aggborough after shaking off a knee problem.

The news for Kidderminster, however, is not quite so good.

Manager Stuart Watkiss is struggling to find 16 fit players after suspensions and injuries hit his squad.

Skipper Wayne Hatswell starts a four-match ban, while fellow centre-half Simon Weaver is also suspended.

Midfielder Dean Keates also misses the game on Boxing Day with a ban, while Pedro Matias, who had signed on a non-contract basis, returned to Spain yesterday citing personal reasons.