A few minor gripes, but overall a great treat at Landore this evening. It seems our soft underbelly runs throughout our teams – we utterly dominated the game today, but gifted Cardiff 2 goals in short order. It would’ve been a travesty to have lost this match.
We lined up 4-3-3: Ben Hughes; Joe Thomas, Kai Ludvigsen, Azeem Abdulai, Kian Jenkins; Cameron Congreve, Liam Walsh, Joel Cotterill; Liam Smith, Ruben Davies, Lincoln McFayden.
Anyway, the positives:
Liam Walsh got through 45 minutes unscathed, he looked confident and constructive.
When they’re on their game, our midfield is a joy to watch. Joel Cotterill and Cameron Congreve excelled and – although he was positioned further forward when he came on – Ben Lloyd was razor sharp, aggressive and gave great deliveries that deserved more.
Impressive performances throughout the team, and to pick out one specifically, Lincoln McFayden, who routinely had the beating of his opponent and was very unlucky not to be on the scoresheet.
Liam Smith looked OK playing up right wide, a little slight perhaps and he really should have converted when Lloyd and Congreve gave him a chance on a plate, but a good early showing nonetheless. If he’s predominantly left footed, it was encouraging to see him comfortably use his right peg to good effect.
We created an astonishing amount of chances, it seemed the ball just wouldn’t go in, but it was a great relief when Josh Thomas slid home to pull us back to 2-2. How we didn’t score 5 or 6, heaven only knows.
The game was played at great pace throughout.
Cardiff played the percentages. Rubin Colwill is clearly a gifted player but contributed nothing today and was pulled on 57 minutes, shortly after being booked.
It was a good decision to play the game at 6pm tonight – there must have been around 300 present, including an unprecedented gathering behind the goal. Cheap goals conceded aside, it was an excellent game to watch. Handled well, many of these Swans players have a great deal to offer.
Goalscoring: Walsh 15m 1-0; Wigley 70m 1-1; Whyte 74m 1-2; Josh Thomas 80m 2-2.