YATES SORRY AS SWANS END SEASON TAMED BY THE LIONS
SWANSEA City striker Jerry Yates has apologised for appearing to strike an opponent during the home defeat against Millwall. The incident angered Lions boss Neil Harris, with defender Japhet Tanganga also sent off for his role in the altercation.
What had been a largely flat endof-season affair burst in to life in the final quarter.
Matt Grimes saw his penalty saved by Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, and Casper de Norre fired the visitors ahead before an ugly confrontation between Swansea substitute Yates and Tanganga saw the pair sent off.
Swansea boss Luke Williams said Yates had apologised for his role in the incident, saying the striker was “antagonised and reacts badly”.
The season ended with Swansea 14th – two points below Millwall – and Williams admits he has a busy summer ahead following his January appointment.
Williams said: “It’s a disappointing way to end, but we have to draw the line under this season and look forward to the next one.
“If anyone felt there wasn’t work to do, they must be crazy.
“This is another example of why we need to improve, this was a winnable game.
“We’ve come a long way from the beginning of my reign here.
“We take the ball off the opposition pretty well and we’re able to build up well with the ball and get to the final third.
“But we need to find more solutions to scoring goals.”
Harris said: “At the time I only saw Yates’ punch. He deserved to go, it angered me.
“I’ve seen it back and there was a scuffle before it. I think that’s down to the panel to decide do they both deserve to go?
“Japhet has told me he hasn’t swung a punch, but you’ve got to be careful if you push a player how that’s interpreted by the referee.”
Both sides had been in good form going into the contest, with Swansea taking 10 points from 12, their best run since four successive wins through September and October, while Millwall had banished their own relegation concerns.
The Lions had the first opening as Swansea allowed Zian Flemming’s long throw to bounce in their penalty area. The ball found its way through to Tom Bradshaw, but his goalbound attempt was snuffed out by the alert Josh Key.
Swansea gradually established command and Ronald skied over at the far post with the goal gaping.
Key’s powerful burst ended in halfhearted penalty appeals and Millwall survived again just before the halfhour mark.
Ollie Cooper cut infield to deliver a dangerous cross that Jamie Paterson, out of contract in the summer and possibly playing his final Swansea game, diverted over.
Charlie Patino slipped Ronald through for another sight of goal, but this time the Brazilian was stopped by the onrushing Sarkic.
Jake Cooper sent a header into the gloves of Carl Rushworth as Millwall raised the tempo and Ryan Longman was thwarted by last-ditch defending.
Swansea were awarded a penalty when Paterson’s through ball ended with Ronald tripped by Cooper. But Sarkic dived to his right to deny
Grimes and Paterson sent the rebound over to keep the game goalless.
Millwall made the most of that break when Ronald was caught showboating and Danny Mcnamara pounced to set up a delighted de Norre, who celebrated wildly in front of the travelling fans.
Harris, who started his second spell at The Den in February, insists he will not be swayed on committing to being at the club beyond next season after masterminding the Lions’ successful fight to stay in the Championship.
“When I took over with 13 games to go and we were level points with 22nd or 23rd in the league, I didn’t envisage what would happen,” he said.
“I’m delighted to win so many games and pick up so many points, because I’m trying to rebuild a culture that I left five years ago.
“I made it very clear to come here for 15 next months, to enjoy myself at a football club I love.
“Beyond that is not something on my radar, I’m just here to help the club back to where it should be, fighting for a top-half finish.”
SWANSEA: Rushworth; Key, Cabango, Humphreys, Tymon, Patino, Grimes, Ronald, Cooper, Paterson, Cullen. Subs: Fisher, Yates, Lowe, Kukharevych, Wood-gordon, Walsh, Govea, Abdulai, Lissah.
MILLWALL: Sarkic; Leonard, Tanganga, Cooper, Mcnamara, Longman, Mitchell, de Norre, Esse, Bradshaw, Flemming. Subs: Hutchinson, Mayor, Nortoncuffy, Watmore, Emakhu, Saville, Trueman, Honeyman, Harding.
REFEREE: Geoff Eltringham (Tyne & Wear).