City head to Fortress Vetch


Swansea

By Nathan Jackson
October 3 2003

CIty travel to South West Wales on Saturday hoping to become the first team this season to take any points from what is quickly becoming known as "Fortress Vetch"

  • After two home draws in a row, City go to Swansea in search of continuing their unbeaten run of 7 games. It is infact deja vu from last season. Last season, City visited The Vetch in January on the back of 7 games without defeat. Futcher scored an early goal but it was disallowed for a foul on the keeper. Swansea got the lead just before half time with a looping header over Marriott. Cropper should have equalised but his point blank shot was well saved by Roger Freestone. Swansea then got a vital second and Lincoln never looked like scoring. Lincoln went on to the playoff finals, Swansea, avoided relegation on the last day.
  • Confidence will be pretty high as on the road, City have won their last 2, much like last season. Those two victories coming at Southend (2-0) and Kidderminster (2-1). Also deja vu from last season as City had won their last two on the road then as well. Two 1-0 wins in row that were nearly a month apart at Macclesfield and Rochdale.
  • City's defence is also proving to be the best in the division again as in their 11 games so far they have only conceeded 6 goals, only Oxford have also conceeded less than 10 goals.
  • Swansea have made the most improved start out of any side so far this season. After finding themselves just two places above the relegation zone in May, they currently find themselves 2nd in the table after losing only 3 of their first 11 games. Those 3 losses have all occured on the road. Those coming at Oxford (3-0), Yeovil (2-0) and on Tuesday night, they lost 2-0 at Hull.
  • However, their home form is by far the best in any division as they have yet to drop any points at The Vetch. Victory's over Bury (4-2), Boston (3-0), Mansfield (4-1), Macclesfield (3-0) and Huddersfield (2-0) means that the Vetch has become a proverbial portress.
  • Their main threat is ex-Wrexham striker, Lee Trundle, who signed in the summer on a free transfer and has been scoring for fun, scoring 10 goals in 11 games and currently leads the scoring tables.
  • They also have one of the biggest liabilities in the Division. Kristian O'Leary seems to be the fountain of mistakes. Whenever I watch Football League Extra on ITV and Swansea conceed a goal, it's usually him that gifted them to the goal. He scored an own goal against City last season at Sincil Bank to give the Imps a 1-0 win.
  • City might just stand a chance though as a lot of Swansea's first team are injured. Lee jenkins, Leon hylton, Jason Smith, Stuart jones Roberto Martinez, Brad Maylett, Karl Connolly, James Thomas, Kieron Durkan and Jonathan Coates are all on the injury list and won't be available for the game.
    5 words or phrases associated with Swansea
  • Swans
  • Ex Top Division
  • Morfa (name of new ground)
  • One of 3 Welsh teams in the football league
  • Violent Cyril (their mascot)
    Previous 5 results against Swansea
  • Swansea 2 City 0
  • City 1 Swansea 0
  • Swansea 0 City 0
  • City 3 Swansea 0
  • Swansea 2 City 1
    Predictions : Although I very rarely put my own team down, I can't see them coming away from the Vetch with a win. I think we'll do well to get a draw but a 2-0 win to Swansea is the most likely score I can envisage.

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