TAYLOR'S SWANSEA TEAM TALK PAYS OFF

The boys were coming off a couple of tough losses and the veteran management team decided this was a day to largely let the boys play and stop trying to kick every football from the touchline. We reverted to three at the back with Sam drafted in to play for the first time on the left of defence so Oz and Stan could provide their usual formidable barrier in the centre of midfield. The result was a much more solid defence but for the first half at least a slight lack of support for George E up front resulting in a tight 0-0 at half time.

Geoff had stirred the boys with talk of Swansea's comeback from 2-0 down at home to Bournemouth as evidence of what team spirit was all about, and little did we realise how prophetic those words were to become. A couple of defensive lapses led to us going two goals down a short time into the second half, which was a shame after all the boys' battling efforts, but the response when it came was astonishing. Stan forced his way into the middle after good work holding the ball up from Brad, and squared it across the box where the slight figure of Louis was haring onto it like a greyhound in the 5.15 at Walthamstow. I think Louis will be the first to admit (and his Dad, whose quizzical reaction from his linesman position suggested he felt the same) that he isn't our most natural goalscorer - but you wouldn't have known it as he met the ball on a dead run and smashed it across the Mill Hill keeper into the opposite corner. If goals were art, Damian Hirst couldn't have crafted a more valuable treasure.

At 1-2, the game changed. You could see the confidence return and with new boys Liam and Alex running energetically at defenders and Archie in command in the centre of defence it was no surprise when the equaliser came. We were due to bring Cimi on anyway, but the award of a free kick right in his zone hastened that decision. Adopting his now trademark Ronaldo pose, Cim struck it wonderfully and the ball flew into the underside of the bar and bounced down. All heads were in hands until their linesman, whom I would have given a man hug after the game if I could have found him, gestured to the referee that the ball had crossed the line.

The rest of the game ebbed and flowed in bewitchingly entertaining style, and although we had a few nervous moments against a very good side before the end (Josh again proving so reliable between the sticks) the boys held on and the smiles were back. We may have lapsed from the intended 'not much instruction' brief for the last few moments!! Stan was voted MOM for a sterling midfield display.