Ruins Lovell’s homecoming
Oli’s double
Swansea 4 Gillingham 1 Graham Thomas
OLI McBURNIE made sure Steve Lovell’s hopes of a sunny Swansea homecoming turned into a wet weekend in Wales.
The Swans’ Scotland striker scored twice before the tide really went out on the Gills’ FA Cup hopes with second-half goals from Bersant Celina – a belter – and Barrie McKay.
Josh Rees gave Lovell’s Gills brief hope when he made it 2-1 but former Wales striker Lovell – who grew up in Swansea – admitted it was a wash-out in the driving rain after they had dumped Cardiff City out in the previous round.
Even the prospect of his mum’s home-cooking was proving difficult to stomach after this heavy defeat to a slick and smoothrunning Swansea.
“My plan was to go home for my mum’s cooking, but I don’t know if she’ll feed me after that result!” said Lovell.
“It won’t be such a happy evening but I’m sure we’ll have a few stories and tales about the game.
“My mum’s a Swansea supporter so thinking about it, she may give me a bit more. Whatever she cooks I’ll eat it as I do as I’m told – even at my age!”
Even in the damp, the Swans were cooking on gas by half-time and had one foot in the fifth round for a second successive season – the first time they have managed that feat since the mid-60s.
McBurnie (above) had already struck the post by the time he planted a header home for the opening goal on 10 minutes after being found by Leroy Fer’s pinpoint cross. Soon after he drilled a low shot past Tomas Holy for his 13th goal of the season and fifth in three games.