Tranmere Rovers vs Swansea City match report: Bafetimbi Gomis scores twice as Swans cruise into fourth round

Tranmere 2 Swansea 6: Swans were always in control despite two goals from Tranmere

(Getty Images)

There was no relief from the pain for Tranmere, second bottom of League Two and comprehensively taken apart by a Swansea side showing nine changes.

It had looked quite promising at half-time for Rovers who were just a goal behind, but reality struck in the second period. Bafétimbi Gomis, looking to make hay while Wilfried Bony is away at the Africa Cup of Nations, scored two goals, while four more were shared between Nathan Dyer, Tom Carroll, Modou Barrow and Wayne Routledge.

Tranmere did at least have the consolation of second-half goals from Max Power and Cole Stockton, but by then any hopes of repeating previous FA Cup giant-killings –including runs to the quarter-finals of the competition as recently as 2000 and 2004 – had been blown out the water.

Owner Mark Palios can be encouraged for the challenges which now lie ahead in the League by a tidy, committed side, a knowledgeable manager and a healthy, passionate home crowd – at 10,007 almost double the previous highest gate at Prenton Park this season.

When the former FA chief executive, who took over Tranmere with wife Nicola last summer, is able to look beyond the immediate struggles, he will surely see Swansea as a model to follow. These two clubs occupied the same division not long ago; in fact when they last met in the FA Cup a decade ago Tranmere were in the higher division.

Tranmere manager Micky Adams shakes hands with Garry Monk (Getty Images)

But yesterday the gulf in quality was evident, leaving Rovers manager Micky Adams to issue the ritual post-match praise in these circumstances. “I am very proud of my players,” he said. “We gave it a real go and we were only behind to a contentious goal at the break, but then their quality told. But there is plenty we can take from this into a big battle over the rest of the season.”

Swansea broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute. A purposeful build-up saw Carroll feed Dyer, the winger’s initial shot was blocked but he rolled the ball home at the second attempt. Tranmere appealed for handball against the Swansea winger, but it was in vain.

Nathan Dyer tucks home Swansea's opener (Getty Images)

The tie was effectively killed off early in the second half by Carroll, who skipped past a defender to score his first Swansea goal. From then on, there was only one name going into the fourth-round draw.

Tranmere: (5-3-2) Fon Williams; Donacien, Holness, Thompson (Kirby, 56), Ihiekwe , Holmes; Laird (Rowe, 72), Jennings, Power; Fenelon (Baggie, 72), Stockton.

Swansea: (4-2-3-1): Tremmel; Richards, Amat, Bartley, Tiendalli; Carroll, Fulton (King, 71); Dyer (Routledge, 78), Emnes, Barrow; Gomis.

Referee: Paul Tierney.

Man of the match: Gomis (Swansea)

Match rating: 7/10