Swansea City 4 Kilmarnock 1

Swansea City played their final home friendly this afternoon against Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock. The match gave manager Paulo Sousa his final opportunity to see his side in action and to make decisions on who he’ll be starting at Leicester City on August 8th.

We ended our Pre-Season campaign with a comfortable 4-1 win against SPL side Kilmarnock thanks to an incredible hatrick from Mark Gower and a headed goal from substitute Chad Bond.

Paulo Sousa named a strong line-up for the game, and decided to field a 4-5-1 formation with Gorka Pintado up front. Angel Rangel was a surprise starter at right back, he’s recently been struggling with groin and achilles injuries. Marcos Painter though was missing from the 20-man squad.

Shaun MacDonald started once again in midfield, playing a rather attacking role in the centre. He was joined by Joe Allen, Leon Britton and wingers Nathan Dyer and Mark Gower.

The Swans didn’t take long to create their first goal opportunity as Nathan Dyer got forward down the right and his cross was cleared for a corner kick. From the resulting set piece, Williams’ header from Gower’s cross was easily cleared.

Gorka Pintado also had half a chance but he headered well over the bar from Gower’s cross before Shaun MacDonald got our first shot on goal. His low shot flew just wide of the post.

The home side continued to dominate possession and we won a few more corners whilst on the attack before we broke the deadlock 10 minutes before half time. Nathan Dyer went ona bursting run into the box and he was brought down, giving the ref an easy decision to award us the spot-kick. Mark Gower was given the opportunity to net another goal, having scored his first against Palamos during the Spain Tour. He converted from 12 yards to give us a 1-goal advantage at the interval.

Paulo Sousa made 4 changes for the start of the second half and changed to a 3-5-2 formation.

Garry Monk and Angel Rangel made way for Albert Serran and Stephen Dobbie, while in midfield Andrea Orlandi and new signing Jordi Lopez replaced Shaun MacDonald and Leon Britton.

It took the Swans just 3 minutes after the restart to double our lead. Sub Stephen Dobbie was involved as he put Dyer on a run down the right, his low cross found Gower unmarked at the far post to net his second of the game.

Dobbie also had an excellent chance to get his fifth goal of the Summer but his curling left-footed shot was well saved by the goalkeeper.

Mark Gower then completed an incredible hatrick. The former Southend midfielder struggled to score all season last year but he’s scored 4 this Summer, 3 today. He left the best until last, unleashing a stunning strike from long range.

Kilmarnock responded as they looked to cut the deficit and they finally got their first opportunity on goal. Dorus De Vries made his first save of the game from James Fowler before Mark Burchill fired the rebound over the bar.

The visitors did get a goal back as Conor Sammon converted from a corner but it was only a consolation goal as Chad Bond made it 4-1 late on, heading home Andrea Orlandi’s cross, two second half substitutes linking up there for our 4th.