City 2 Swindon 0
Report by Eddie Blount
Goals early in each half by Jermaine Beckford were enough for City to withstand a spirited challenge from Paulo di Canio's League 2 Swindon and give them ultimately a comfortable victory. Unfortunately for the visitors, urged on throughout by 4 500 travelling fans, they were unable to match their determined first half performance in the second half and Beckford's second goal effectively settled the fate of the tie. Thus City march on into Round 5 where no doubt bigger fish will need to be fried.
Swindon desperately needed a good start but Beckford's early strike was exactly what they didn't need. After 4 minutes of continual City pressure a left-sided corner fell to Mills beyond the far post. His first effort at crossing was blocked back to him and his second attempt was swept home decisively by Beckford.
In this match Beckford was again to show that he can do things other than finish and credit goes to manager Pearson for being the catalyst in this transformation. The crowd won't stand for Beckford's lazy streak but are quick to express their appreciation when he puts himself about a bit. Indeed when substituted with the game in the bag Beckford was warmly applauded and deservedly so. He now has 5 goals in this year's FA Cup, having been the leading goalscorer in last years's competition!
For the rest of the first half play was very even. For City Nugent should have done better with an excellent cross from Peltier and St Ledger headed just over from a corner. Swindon had their moments too and Schmeichel had to make a fantastic reflex save when a right wing corner was helped on. However an even better opportunity came when a short low cross opened up the City defence and only a magnificent blocking tackle by Konchesky prevented the visitors from equalising. So at the break the consensus was that Swindon were unlucky to be behind.
Clearly Swindon had failed to learn the lesson about not conceding early goals and the second half quickly took on the pattern of the first. Nugent combined well with Gallagher whose short cross created panic in the Red's ranks. The ball ran loose and Beckford reacted quickest to smash home from close range.
20 minutes into the second period Beckford was removed from the action, no doubt to save his energy for Wed's game with the 'Boro, and replaced by Howard. Within minutes Gallagher again crossed from the right to give Nugent a clear header from 8 yards dead centre of the goal. It seemed harder to miss than to score; Nugent headed down but too close to the keeper who made the save.
The game then meandered to its conclusion. Konchesky, perhaps lucky still to be on the pitch after an horrific late challenge at the end of the first half, was replaced by Kennedy. This was my first look at him and my impression was favourable. He looked very comfortable on the ball, calm under pressure and distributed the ball well.
In addition he was not afraid to get forward and one foray gave a faint chance to another sub, Academy striker, Tom Hopper, making his first team debut. Like Kennedy he impressed, being quick and tenacious, with a striker's instinct for a chance. He needs to fill out a little – but not as much as Howard!
Man of the Match probably rests between Danns and St Ledger with my vote going to the former. Danns was an inspirational figure in the City midfield, winning the ball back almost as many times as Gallagher gave it away, which was a good number. Gallagher, suffering with a back injujry, was probably only playing because we have no one else to play wide right, a condemnation of Sven's recruitment policy. Those of us who have been saying for most of the season that Danns should be playing in centre midfield, yes instead of King if need be, feel vindicated. Why neither Sven nor Nigel (until King was injured) could see this remains a total mystery.
So City go into the hat for the next round but can we expect this third win on the bounce, each with a clean sheet, to herald a new dawn. Frankly I doubt it! Midfield is better with Wellens and Danns in the centre but we are still deficient in the wide positions and most Championship sides are as good as us in midfield if not better. As the transfer window closes I live in hopes but then I learn that Pearson is chasing a………defender!
City: Schmeichel, Peltier, Konchesky (Kennedy 73), Mills, St Ledger, Gallagher, Danns, Wellens, Dyer, Nugent (Hopper 81) , Beckford (Howard 65)
Swindon: Foderingham, Devera, Caddis, Cibocchi, Ferry (Thompson 81), Ritchie, McCormack, Risser, Benson, Connell (Murray 60), De Vita (Gabilondo 54)
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation