Adding defensive cover is likely to be top of Swansea City head coach Alan Sheehan’s agenda this week after seeing his side fall to a late goal against Cheltenham Town last night.
Already without captain Ben Cabango, new signing Ricardo Santos was forced off in the first half of the disappointing defeat against the League Two outfit, after landing awkwardly on his ankle, leaving the heart of the Swans defence threadbare in numbers.
After a summer which saw key man Harry Darling leave the club and utility options Kyle Naughton, Cyrus Christie depart, the Swans are left with one fit centre half in former Ipswich man Cameron Burgess and a similar lack of depth at full back. Josh’s Key and Tymon’s deputies on the night, out of position wide man Sam Parker and inexperienced youngster Sebastian Dabrowski.
Youth product Filip Lissah also missed the defeat to Mike Flynn’s side leaving veteran midfielder Jay Fulton with the job of filling in at the back for the second period of the friendly match.
The game itself provided many of the Swans likely starters in two-and-a-half weeks time with 70 important minutes of action against a vibrant Cheltenham side.
Surprisingly, the scores would remain goalless at the break after Goncalo Franco’s thunderous volley would smash the crossbar, whilst Liam Cullen, Melker Widell, and Bobby Wales found Robins keeper Mamadou Diallo in excellent form.
It would be, however, the hosts who would strike first to go ahead early in the second half with a trialist beating substitute goalkeeper Andy Fisher. The Swans, though, would only be behind for five minutes and hit back a deserved equaliser.
In-form full back Josh Tymon showing his quality going forward to make the decisive difference in the final third, carrying on his strong pre-season form, sending in a teasing ball across the face of goal which would be put into his own net by unfortunate Cheltenham defender Freddy Willcox.
After a spate of substitutions, including several youngsters, it would be Cheltenham though who would be the side secure victory on the night during the final 10 minutes. Forward Lee Angol slotting past Fisher late for the hosts after the Swans had failed to deal with a corner.
Following the match, Swans boss Sheehan commented on the defensive injuries.
“Rico[Santos] landed awkwardly, so we will need to assess that and see what the situation is,” said Sheehan.
“It’s disappointing obviously, we’ve had a few little unfortunate things come up and it’s about making sure we don’t take any unnecessary risks with anyone.
“Ben [Cabango] just felt something in Spain, so we want to look further into that without risking him at this stage.”
Cheltenham Town (4-2-3-1): Day (Gk (Diallo 45); Caple (Power 63), Bennett (Sohna 32), Barber (Bakare 18), Willcox; Kinsella (Young 63), Tustin; Trialist A (Anderson 63), Backwell (Pell 63), Dulson (Archer 63); Trialist B (Angol 63). Subs not used: Cundy, Rexworthy, Bailey, Miller
Swansea City (4-2-3-1): Vigouroux (Gk) (Fisher 45), Key (S. Parker 60), Santos (Fulton 17), Burgess (I. Jones 72), Tymon (A. Parker 72), Franco (Cotterill 72), Galbraith (Cooper 72), Ronald (Dabrowski 72), Widell (Congreve 72), Inoussa (Wales 60), Cullen (Vipotnik 60)
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
