Captains and officials line-up at the start of the match. The Yeovil mascot is Ryan Lancaster. Photo © 2006 Tim Lancaster/Ciderspace

The mist, fog and constant drizzle that descended upon South Wales tonight - and in particular the steel town of Port Talbot - didn't seem to effect Yeovil Town as they swept to a handsome victory against an equally young Swansea City side at The Remax Stadium. Admission to the game was £3.00 and a single team sheet was issued to spectators.

Port Talbot Town have spent a lot of money on The Remax Stadium, and when the installation of 1,000 seats is completed during the summer months the venue will have a UEFA grading. With a new clubhouse, and press box 'The Blues' certainly provided a more than adequate 'temporary' home ground for their illustrious neighbours. It is somewhat of a pity therefore, that they missed out on qualifying for a European place by a single point this season.

Goal! Bradley Thomas puts Yeovil 1-0 up. Photo © 2006 Tim Lancaster/Ciderspace

The excellent pitch was certainly to Yeovil Town's liking as they moved into a 4-0 lead before the break. Yeovil Town opened the scoring after fourteen minutes when a low cross from the right by Eddie Anaclet evaded a clutch of defenders before being swept home from eight yards by Bradley THOMAS. With the rain getting harder by the minute Yeovil then extended their lead when Jack WATKINS added a second after twenty minutes. Bradley THOMAS then converted a penalty after twenty five minutes sending Swans keeper Lee Idzil the wrong way after a foul in the box to give Yeovil a 3-0 lead.

At this stage of the game it was pretty much one way traffic with Thomas controlling the back line well, looking composed and confident on the ball. Craig Alcock fired a shot high over the crossbar on the half-hour mark before Dale WILLIAMS took a clinical pass from Marc Wilson in his stride to clip the ball over the advancing Idzil in the Swansea City goal after forty two minutes. Kidderminster Harriers' goalkeeper John Danby in the Yeovil Town goal was forced to palm a cross over the bar moments before the interval as Swansea looked for a way back into the game.

Dale Williams bears down on the Swansea goal. Photo © 2006 Tim Lancaster/Ciderspace

After the break Yeovil extended their advantage when Tom CLARKE took the ball around Idzil to fire into an empty net after fifty three minutes, Clarke showing a good first touch to control the ball. Swansea City captain Chad Bond placed a free-kick high and wide a minute later. Yeovil looked to have extended their lead in the fifty eighth minute when Craig Alcock fired home from close range with a low drive, however he was denied by a linesmans flag.

The Swans' defence was breached once more in the sixty second minute when Sean KELLY and Tom Clarke played a neat one two inside the box before the lively Kelly netted from ten yards with a clinical finish to give Town a 6-0 advantage. Watching manager Steve Thompson saw his side extend their lead to seven in the seventy second minute - in a fashion that even drew a ripple of applause from the home supporters. Substitute Ben WOOD providing the finish after another slick passing movement and an audatious step over by Jack Watkins.

Swansea then rallied late on, Bond fired a shot into the ground that Danby watched bounce over his crossbar before 'The Swans' netted a consolation goal in the seventy ninth minute when Mark PRITCHARD took the ball in his stride to fire into the corner of the net past Danby's outstretched palm in front of the watching Swans boss Kenny Jackett. A very good nights work by the reserves who played the last fourteen minutes of the game with ten men after Anaclet went off with an injury, although no replacement was made at this late stage of the game.

Swansea attempt to defend their penalty area with Yeovil on the attack. Photo © 2006 Tim Lancaster/Ciderspace

Tim Lancaster

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