Neath Ath 0-5 Swansea City

Swansea City made a little bit of sporting history in South Wales this evening by running out 5-0 winners against Neath Athletic at the Gnoll.

It marked the first football game at the Gnoll in the grounds long history.Roberto Martinez handed the majority of his new look championship side a taste of the action with new boys Albert Serrán, Federico Bessone and Jordi Gómez all featuring. Whilst Matty Collins who has spent the majority of his time in the reserves last term gaining a vital first team berth.

It would be the Eagles that would have the first chance on goal when Andy Hill had a chance to trouble Dorus De Vries in the Swansea goal but the Dutchman was equal to the strikers shot. It would be Spaniard Guillem Bauza who was to grab the opener and in turn became the first ever goal scorer at the Gnoll, after he latched on to a Gomez free kick to fire past Rob Thomas in the Neath goal. Not content with a single goal Bauza doubled Swansea's lead after a counter attack from deep in the Swansea half allowed Darren Pratley and Shaun McDonald to combine. From close range Bauza makes no mistake to breach Thomas's goal for the second time. Right back Matty Collins had a chance to send Swansea into a 3-0 lead but his shot sailed to safety over the bar.

As expected Roberto Martinez made 10 changes at half time brining on Dutch trialist Michael van der Heijden and fresh from signing a new deal at the club Ferrie Bodde slotted into the centre of midfield. It did not take Swansea too long to trouble Thomas in the Neath goal as Andrea Orlandi saw his effort strike off the bar. The former Barcelona B player had the chance to make it 3-0 after van der Heijden threaded a through ball to Gorka Pintado who offloaded the ball to Orlandi but lacking composure the midfielder fired over the bar. Moments after the Spaniard's effort the visitors made it 3-0 after Ferrie Bodde converted from the penalty spot after Eagles' shot stopper Thomas felled Pintado in the box.

Out to impress manager Roberto Martinez, Dutchman Van Der Heijden made it 4-0 after latching onto an Orlandi pass to put the ball into the Neath goal. New signing Stefan Morrison made it 5-0 deep into the second half.

Full Time: Neath Athletic 0-5 Swansea City

Tonight's Line Ups

First Half Line Ups Line Ups:


Neath Athletic: Rob Thomas, David Burrows, Jack Jenkins, Sean Cronin, Rob Folland, Geraint Passmore, Stephen Pockett, Dale Evans, Daniel Lancey, Andy Hill, Scott McCourbrey.

Swansea City: Dorus de Vries, Matty Collins, Garry Monk, Albert Serrán, Federico Bessone, Kristian O'Leary, Darren Pratley, Jordi Gómez, Shaun MacDonald, Thomas Butler, Guillem Bauza.

Second half teams:

Neath: Rob Thomas, Rob Folland, Stephen Pockett, Lee Bevan, Jack Jenkins, Gavin Jones, Chris Pridham, Richard Ingram, Jarrod Price, Vinny Shuttleworth, Carl Shaw.

Swansea City: Dorus de Vries, Alan Tate, Ashley Williams, Owain Tudur-Jones, Marcos Painter, Leon Britton, Ferrie Bodde, Michael van der Heijden, Mark Gower, Andrea Orlandi, Gorka Pintado.

Pre Season Stats:

Games Played: 2
Won 2, Drawn 0, Lost 0

Leading Pre-Season Goal Scorers:
Guillem Bauza: 4
Gorka Pintado: 3
Mark Gower: 1
Ferrie Bodde: 1
Stefan Morrison:1
Micheal Van Der Heijden: 1

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