A freezing cold night, 18,000 screaming Welsh supporters and a brand new stadium awaited Yeovil Town as they arrived at the fabulous Liberty Stadium in Swansea last night.
But it was perhaps the Englishman who has been Swansea's not so secret, weapon all season that was going to cause Yeovil the biggest problem on the night.
Yeovil manager Steve Thompson's team selection caused a few eye brows to be raised as he dropped both recognized strikers to the bench.
Phil Jevons and Arron Davies played up front while Efe Sodje returned to the back line with hopes that he could shackle Lee Trundle again as he had done in the return fixture at Huish Park.
Yeovil started brightly enough in a red hot atmosphere as the Welsh fans cheered on their team.
The first real chance feel to Swansea though when Skiverton was forced to head a Trundle cross over for a corner. From the resultant kick both Akinfenwa and Tudur Jones somehow contrived to put the ball wide as Weale was left groping.
Trundle though was to have his moment minutes later when he confronted Efe Sodje on the left.
Efe insists that he got something on the ball when he made the challenge, but with Trundle's theatrical fall Mr.Stroud was convinced that it was a foul and he pointed to the spot.
Trundle got up to take the kick and drove the ball straight down the middle as Weale dived the wrong way.
The goal certainly lifted the crowd and Swansea were beginning to control the play as Yeovil strived to supply the ball to Jevons and Davies up front, but without much success.
Alan Tait on the right of the Swansea defence was a tower of strength and with (little!!) Britton causing a lot of trouble on the flanks Yeovil were struggling.
Not that it was a lack of effort, on the contrary, but the sheer intensity of the atmosphere and the crowd were acting as a 12th. man for the Swans.
Trundle had another chance in the 32nd.minute when he curled in a great shot from 25 yards which hit the bar with Chris Weale completely beaten.
Half Time: Swansea City 1 Yeovil Town 0
Yeovil started the second half like a different side as they came out full of confidence. It was a complete change as first Skiverton went close with a header and Jevons had a couple of chances blocked.
With this renewed confidence Yeovil were showing, hopes rose but a controversial incident in the 52nd. minute turned the game completely against The Glovers.
Lee Johnson had been booked for dissent 30 seconds earlier, and when Arron Davies went down and failed to be given a free kick by Mr.Stroud, Johnson reacted, but his actions were deemed unlawful by the ref and he was given a second yellow card and sent off.
An inconsolable Johnson felt he had let his side down while only gesturing that he felt the ref hand missed a hand ball, and the club will be considering an appeal.
Ten men Yeovil though continued to battle and Darren Way's performance was truly amazing. Where this wee man gets his energy and enthusiasm from I will never know but his performance yesterday was out of this world.
Five minutes later Swansea thought they had gone further in front when Trundle again fired home but the flag was up and the goal didn't count.
With the time running down Akinfenwa chased down a loose ball forcing Sodje to back pass to Weale.
Weale's hurried clearance went only as far as that man Trundle again, instead of the back row and he instinctively lobbed Weale to score a brilliant goal. Like him or hate him you can't ignore 17 goals so far this season.
From that point on Yeovil continued to make life difficult for the Swans, but without creating any real chances, although Skiverton did go near with a shot that went wide.
With minutes left Chris Weale did have his evening lifted slightly when a female streaker with huge whatsits wrapped herself around him but Stewards quickly ushered her away to cut short Weale's little adventure!!
Full Time: Swansea City 2 Yeovil Town 0
