Martinez hails 'best-ever' Swans

22 February 2009 09:56
The Swans stormed back from a goal down to beat 10-man Rovers and edge closer to the play-off places.[LNB]James Coppinger put the visitors in front in the 11th minute before a 27th-minute penalty from Jason Scotland levelled the scores at the interval.[LNB]Two second-half strikes by Jordi Gomez in the 70th and 90th minutes gave Swansea a deserved victory before Richie Wellens was sent off.[LNB]"It was our best performance of the season," admitted Martinez.[LNB]"We didn't start well and were punished with that early goal but it was a real test of character and we showed a great reaction to come back so well and win the game."[LNB]Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll praised Swansea's performance while questioning the role of the referee.[LNB]"I can't quite make out whether it was a difficult game for him or whether he over-reacted because he was certainly quick with the yellow cards," claimed O'Driscoll.[LNB]"Two of them mean a red so there is little to say about Wellens being sent off although his second booking was a little soft.[LNB]"I never saw the spitting incident and if you ask Richie he will say he never spat at anybody.[LNB]"On the other hand I am a little disappointed at cries of 'cheat' when James Coppinger was injured.[LNB]"The lad is now in hospital having a brain scan after suffering possible concussion.[LNB]"With regards to the football it was a fair result and Swansea are probably equipped better than most to come up a division and do well.[LNB]"You have to stamp some authority on the game right at the beginning but we didn't start very well despite scoring a goal.[LNB]"We ended up struggling to close them down. It was difficult for us as this is a hard place to come."[LNB]Swansea suffered a blow before the match when skipper Gary Monk failed a late fitness test on his back and his absence was crucial as Rovers took the lead.[LNB]A ball through the middle left the home defence exposed and Wellens was unmarked as he attempted to stab the loose ball home.[LNB]Swansea keeper Dorus De Vries blocked with his legs but the ball ran to Coppinger who forced it home from close range.[LNB]It took the Swans time to settle but they were handed the equaliser on a plate when Doncaster full-back James O'Connor needlessly pushed Alan Tate inside the area. Scotland easily dispatched the spot-kick to level the score.[LNB]There was drama in the final minute of the first half as Coppinger went down after a challenge which left him with a blow to the head.[LNB]The players gathered around and trouble flared between Wellens and Leon Britton and it was later alleged that the Rovers player had spat at Britton.[LNB]Coppinger was then stretchered off and taken to hospital with suspected concussion.[LNB]"I was very disappointed with Wellens when I heard of the incident with Leon Britton," added Martinez.[LNB]"It is not something you expect form a professional footballer."[LNB]In the second half Swansea began to take control with Mark Gower and Nathan Dyer causing all sorts of trouble down the flanks.[LNB]In the 63rd minute Scotland sent Gower through on goal but veteran keeper Neil Sullivan went down low to push behind for a corner.[LNB]But the home side deservedly went ahead seven minutes later and it was Scotland who fashioned the goal.[LNB]He laid the ball off perfectly for Gomez who met it first time to send it flashing into the net from a central position.[LNB]Wellens, who had been off the pace in the second half, received a second yellow card in the 84th minute after bringing down Gomez.[LNB]There was just time for the Swans to make full use of the extra man when the impressive Scotland set up Gomez for the Spaniard's second goal right on full-time.[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk