Date Competition Opponents Venue Score Scorers 08.08 ENLDiv.3 Exeter City h 2-0 Thomas, Watkin 11.08 Worth.Cup Norwich h 1-1 Cusack 15.08 ENLDiv.3 Cambridge United a 1-2 Casey 18.08 Worth.Cup Norwich a 0-1 (a.e.t) 22.08 ENLDiv.3 Leyton Orient h 1-1 Bird 29.08 ENLDiv.3 Mansfield Town a 0-1 31.08 ENLDiv.3 Scunthope United h 1-2 Alsop 05.09 ENLDiv.3 Brighton & Hove a 0-1 08.09 ENLDiv.3 Carlisle United a 2-1 Howard, Watkin 12.09 ENLDiv.3 Scarborough h 2-0 Watkin, Price 14.09 FAWGrpB Caernarfon Town a 1-0 Bird 19.09 ENLDiv.3 Torquay United a 1-1 Smith 26.09 ENLDiv.3 Southend United h 3-1 Alsop, Watkin, Bird 03.10 ENLDiv.3 Darlington a 2-2 Watkin, Price 09.10 ENLDiv.3 Rotherham h 1-1 Thomas 13.10 FAWGrpB Barry Town h 1-1 Bird 17.10 ENLDiv.3 Chester City a 1-1 Alsop 20.10 ENLDiv.3 Shrewsbury a 0-1 24.10 ENLDiv.3 Brentford h P-P 27.10 FAWGrpB Wrexham a 2-0 Watkin, Thomas 31.10 ENLDiv.3 Halifax Town a 0-2 03.11 FAWGrpB Caernarfon Town h 3-0 Watkin 2, Cusack 07.11 ENLDiv.3 Peterborough h 0-0 10.11 ENLDiv.3 Plymouth a 2-1 Watkin, Alsop 13.11 EFACup1 Millwall h Key: ENLDiv.3 = English Nationwide League Division 3 FAWGrpB = F.A.W Premier Cup, Group B Worth.Cup = Worthington Cup (English League Cup) EFACup = English Football Association Cup
Swansea City have had a very mixed season so far in 1998-99. Currently topping the FAW Premier Cup, and unbeaten at that, they are ?th in the English Nationwide League Third Division, several places below arch rivals, Cardiff City.
The season began well for the Swans with a comfortable home victory over Exeter City showing what John Hollins' team could do. That 2-0 win was achieved with goals from former Wrexham player, Steve Watkin, and a goal from Thomas. That form was continued a few days later, when they entertained Norwich City in the opening round of the Worthington Cup. Cusack scored the Swans goal in a 1-1 draw against the side from a few divisions higher up the English pyramid.
Back to League duty, Ryan Casey scored in a disappointing 2-1 away defeat at Cambridge United, and, despite an impressive performance, the Swans drew 0-0 at Norwich in the second leg of the Worthington Cup, and went out 0-1 after extra-time.
Entertaining Leyton Orient at the Vetch, former Barry striker, Tony Bird, scored the Swans goal in a 1-1 draw, but the Swans slumped to a further two defeats on the Bank Holiday Weekend, losing 1-0 at Mansfield Town on the Saturday and with Alsop's goal at home to Scunthorpe not being enough to prevent a 2-1 defeat.
September continued in that dour vein, with a 1-0 defeat away at Brighton and Hove Albion. After that, the season began to brighten for John Hollins's side, as they embarked upon a nine match unbeaten run.
That began away at Carlisle United, when a goal from Howard complemented that from Steve Watkin to give the Swans a 2-1 advantage. A couple of days later, the Swans recorded another victory, with a penalty converted by Steve Watkin giving them the advantage and Price adding a second to give them a 2-0 win over Scarborough.
A third successive win was made a reality two days later at the Oval in Caernarfon, when Tony Bird scored the winning goal in the Swans' first FAW Premier Cup match of the season.
A visit to Torquay saw the Swans pick up another point on their travels, with Smith scoring the important goal. Returning to the Vetch , though, Swansea thumped Southend 3-1, with goals from Alsop, Steve Watkin and Tony Bird.
After the purple patch of September, Swansea had a more drab October, with the first four matches ending in draws. The away trip to Darlington was one of these with a 2-2 draw. Watkin and Price got the Swans goals. That was followed by a Friday night home match with Rotherham, where Thomas got the goal in a 1-1 draw.
The following Tuesday, the Swans entertained Barry in an FAW Premier Cup match, which was yet another draw for John Hollins side. Tony Bird surprised his old team with a goal in the 92nd minute of play, earning the Swans a point. Another league point was gained a few days later with a journey to Chester City, where Alsop's goal saw the match end in a 1-1 draw.
That run of draws was broken the following Tuesday, though, as Shrewsbury beat the Swans 1-0 at Gay Meadow.
The home match against Brentford fell victim to the horrendous weather which engulfed Wales at the end of last month, but allowed Swansea to be fresh for their visit to English Second Division side, Wrexham, in the FAW Premier Cup. An excellent Swansea performance saw them beat the North Walians 2-0, and took them top of Group B. Steve Watkin scored against his former club, with Thomas adding the clinching goal.
However, after that victory, the away match at Halifax saw the Swans slip to a 2-0 defeat.
November started well, though, with Swansea cementing their position at the top of the Premier Cup group with a 3-0 home victory over Caernarfon Town. Watkin scored twice and Cusack scored the other in the win.
Entertaining Peterborough a few days later, the match concluded as a goaless draw, although the Swans got back into the winning mood a few days later, travelling to Plymouth for a 2-1 win, with Steve Watkin and Alsop scoring the goals.
Last Saturday, the Swans entertained Millwall in the English F.A. Cup first round.
Links to other sites on the Web
Barry Town homepage
Barry Town matchday magazine index
F.A.W Premier Cup results 1998-99
This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1998.
This article first published in the Barry Town matchday magazine, v Swansea City, 17.11.1998, F.A.W Premier Cup, Group B.
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