 | FAW PREMIER CUP FINAL |
Swansea retained the FAW Premier Cup with a 2-1 win over five-time champions Wrexham, a repeat of last year's score. Danny Williams opened the scoring with an own goal, the Wrexham man connecting with Leon Britton's sharp cross.
Rory Fallon made it 2-0 at half-time, the striker scrambling in his first Swans goal since his �300,000 transfer.
The home side rallied after the break, substitute Simon Spender creating chaos down the right, and rifling in a fine strike, but the cup holders held on.
The Racecourse triumph boosts Swansea's coffers by a cool �100,000.
Wrexham's woes were eased by the news that local car dealer Neville Dickens has signed a welcomed exclusivity agreement with the administrators of the troubled club.
Swansea played the better football of a scrappy opening half hour, Andy Robinson impressing, while Wrexham looked to hit the visitors on the counter attack.
Matt Derbyshire was lively for the Dragons, and after 35 minutes the on-loan Blackburn striker combined well with Mark Jones before firing wide from just outside the box.
But the Swans went straight back down the other end, Robinson freeing man-of-the-match Britton with a delightful through ball.
The midfielder's cross from the right was intercepted by Danny Williams, but the Wrexham man's powerful intervention flew straight past his keeper Mike Ingham for an unfortunate own goal.
Lee Trundle then worked himself clear for a shot that was parried weakly straight into the path of Fallon.
The New Zealander connected poorly, but it was enough to creep past the stranded Ingham and register the 24-year-old's first goal in 10 games since his move from Swindon in January.
Kristian O'Leary went close with a right-footer from a well-worked corner kick as the Swans finished the half well on top.
But the home side rallied, Danny Williams going close with a header from a corner just after the break.
Fallon blew a glorious chance to make it 3-0, before Wrexham striker Sam Williams headed straight at Willy Gueret from Andy Holt's cross.
Spender, a half-time replacement for Jones (tight groin) was making inroads down the right for the Dragons, Holt connecting powerfully with his cross but seeing Gueret deny him.
The unlikely figure of Dennis Lawrence provided Wrexham's next charge into the box, his pass finding Sam Williams who was denied by Sam Ricketts' fine covering work.
Poor Swansea marking allowed the Dragons back in, a cross from the left finding Spender in clear space as he hammered a right-footer in past Gueret.
But it was not enough to deny the visitors, who will go into Sunday's Millennium Stadium Football League Trophy final with Carlisle in good spirit.
Wrexham: Michael Ingham, Shaun Pejic, Danny Williams, Dennis Lawrence, Dean Bennett (Simon Spender 46), Darren Ferguson (Jon Walters 70), Mark Jones (Levi Mackin 76), Matt Crowell, Andy Holt, Matt Derbyshire, Sam Williams.
Subs Not Used: Michael Jones, Mike Williams.
Swansea: Willy Gueret, Alan Tate, Keith Lowe, Gary Monk, Sam Ricketts, Kristian O'Leary, Owain Tudor Jones, Leon Britton, Lee Trundle, Rory Fallon, Andy Robinson (Roberto Martinez 82).
Subs Not Used: Tom Williams, Leon Knight, Adrian Forbes, Adebayo Akinfenwa.
Booked: Tate, Trundle
Referee: Ceri Richards (Llanelli)
Att: 3,032