Year in Review | October
As we continue our review of 2019, we recall how October unfolded for Swansea City.
The undoubted high point of October proved to be Swansea City’s victory over Cardiff City as the South Wales derby returned after some five-and-a-half years.
It was Ben Wilmot who wrote his name in Swans folklore as the defender marked his full league debut for the club by heading home the winner from a Wayne Routledge cross.
That came at the conclusion of the month, but October had also started brightly with a victory at Charlton.
Steve Cooper’s side had trailed after barely a minute at The Valley as Jonathan Leko fired home for the hosts.
But the Swans quickly hit back as Yan Dhanda’s deflected shot levelled matters, before Andre Ayew’s first league goal for the Swans since May 2016 sent them back to the top of the league.
However, October would also prove a month of frustration and included home defeats to Stoke and Brentford, either side of a draw at Barnsley.
The former had seen the Swans taken an early lead through Ayew, but former Swan Sam Clucas levelled for the struggling visitors before Scott Hogan struck at the death to give the Potters their first win of the season.
The defeat to Brentford was more emphatic with a Said Benrahma strike and a Jake Bidwell own goal putting the Bees in control, before Bryan Mbuemo put the result beyond doubt.
At Barnsley it had again been Ayew on the scoresheet, but Alex Mowatt pegged the Swans back shortly after they had taken the lead.
Off the field, October also saw the departure of Leigh Dineen from his position of vice-chairman.
Dineen remained as chairman of the club’s Community Trust and the Swans Ladies team, while concentrating on his growing business interests around the city and beyond.