Match Report

MARK Gower finally broke his duck as Swansea City eased to victory over Palamos.

Guillem Bauza put Swansea in front from the spot and Gower made it safe just seconds from time.

Shaun MacDonald almost added a third in injury time only to be denied by the woodwork.

Swansea boss Paulo Sousa made a host of changes from Friday's defeat at the hands of Espanyol B as he ran the rule over his squad.

This was a much more youthful Swansea, with the likes of David Cornell, Jazz Richards and Casey Thomas on display.

The home side created the better chances early on, with Fede Bessone getting in the way of Albert Criado's shot while Daniel Sarabia's free-kick was blocked by the wall before his rebound was deflected over by trialist Fernando.

Threat

It was the Brazilian who had Swansea's first clear-cut effort as he headed over from skipper Andrea Orlandi's free-kick.

Stephen Dobbie's lob posed no threat for Gallardo and Orlandi saw his corner tipped over by the keeper.

There was little to impress as the game hit the half-hour mark with Pep Arnau's challenge on Casey Thomas — which resulted in a booking — bringing the crowd to life.

Eight minutes before the break Chad Bond latched onto the end of Cornell's long clearance before putting Dobbie free, only for the Scot to fire straight at the keeper.

On the stroke of half-time the deadlock was broken following a fine move down the left.

Bessone broke from defence and played a neat one-two with Bond before Jordi Salvanya pulled him down inside the area.

Mistake

The referee pointed to the spot and Bauza made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way as he found the bottom right-hand corner.

Within five minutes of the restart Orlandi came close to adding a second for the visitors only to shoot over.

Diego Romero was denied a penalty moments later and the same player then curled an effort inches wide.

Swansea made their first changes just before the hour when Orlandi and Scott Evans were replaced by Kerry Morgan and debutant Jordi Lopez.

Joe Allen was introduced in place of Dobbie and minutes later Sousa made a triple substitution which saw Angel Rangel introduced for the first time since the back end of last season.

Morgan's pace began causing the defence all sorts of problems and with 16 minutes remaining he forced a fine save from the keeper with a shot from distance.

In a further boost, Marcos Painter was brought on for Bessone for his first game since last October.

The home side came close to levelling 10 minutes from time as Arnau cracked a shot against the bar and two minutes later Cornell went down under a challenge by Romero, but continued after treatment.

Morgan twice came close to doubling the advantage, first with a slick volley that went inches over, then when his shot was deflected wide.

But a minute from time Swansea could relax — and after more than 12 months of waiting, so could Gower.

The winger benefited from link-up play between Allen and Lopez, with the Spaniard sliding the ball into his path the box allowing Gower to net from close range.

Substitute MacDonald struck the post a minute later on what was a satisfying night for the Liberty Stadium outfit.

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