Mark Pitman is a prominent Welsh football journalist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com for links to all blogs, news stories, features, reports and opinion as the big Welsh football news stories break. You can also follow Mark Pitman at www.facebook.com/1markpitman and www.twitter.com/markpitman1.
Scottish striker Stephen Dobbie let his football do the talking in the sunshine on Saturday as he grabbed an opening half hat-trick to show new manager Michael Laudrup that he is determined to put the disappointment of last season behind him.
Dobbie opened the scoring from the penalty spot against the Welsh Premier League side within the opening few minutes and the lead was doubled by Leroy Lita. Laudrup took a backseat as Alan Curtis and Kristian O’Leary directed his side from the sidelines in a match when the experimental Swansea side were rarely troubled.
Dobbie added his second penalty of the game midway through the opening half after the home side had enjoyed a spell of possession, and then added a fourth just before the break with a performance that would have impressed his impressionable new boss. A number of changes at the break made for a more even second half, but young Henry Jones added a fifth for Swansea City as they outplayed their opponents in front of a large crowd.
How those involved in the match will feature in Laudrup’s squad this coming season is difficult to judge, but Dobbie has done his chances no harm, and both he and his side can be pleased with their afternoon’s work.
