BLAST FROM THE PAST: Swans v Sunderland
6th February
SWANSEA 2 SUNDERLAND 0
Division One
September 26, 1981
Swansea City secured their fifth win of the season at home to Sunderland in this classic encounter.
Nick Pickering wasted a good early opportunity for Sunderland, while Bob Latchford had an effort disallowed for offside after 18 minutes for the hosts.
The Swans found it difficult to find a way through the Sunderland defence but finally broke the deadlock on 56 minutes. Leighton James drove in a fierce cross, Latchford connected and Alan Curtis beat Barry Siddall with a close-range header.
Swansea nearly scored again when Colin Irwin centred and Shaun Elliott almost headed the ball over his advancing keeper, but Leighton James sealed victory when he netted an 82nd minute penalty after he was felled by Jeff Clarke.
SWANSEA: Dai Davies, Neil Robinson, Dzemal Hadziabdic, Ante Rajkovic, Colin Irwin, John Mahoney, Alan Curtis, Robbie James, Leighton James, Jeremy Charles (Max Thompson), Bob Latchford.
SUNDERLAND: Barry Siddall, Joe Hinnigan, Shaun Elliott, Mick Buckley, Jeff Clarke, Rob Hindmarch, Kevin Arnott, Stan Cummins, Tom Ritchie, Gary Rowell, Nick Pickering (Ally McCoist).
PLAYER PROFILE - LEIGHTON JAMES
Welsh international winger Leighton James was leading marksman as Swansea City won promotion to the top-flight in 1980-81. Initially with Burnley, he starred as they won the Second Division title in 1972-73 and joined Derby County in November 1975. He then played for QPR and Burnley again before moving to Swansea for £130,000 in May 1980. Scoring 27 goals in 98 league games, he joined Sunderland in January 1983, then Bury, Newport County and Burnley again. He has coached various clubs including Llanelli and worked in the media.
