A somewhat fortunate 2-1 win for our U18 side today against a Peterborough side that dominated long spells of the game. A year or two makes such a difference at this level – Peterborough looked a little more mature as a group and we fielded a very young side, who will have learned a lot from this match. Even better to pick up the 3 points.
We lined up 3-4-2-1: Kit Margetson; Jack Cooper (sub Harlan Perry 76m), Arthur Parker, Jack Fanning; Cameron Llewellyn (sub Caio Ifans 62m), Callum Deacon, Jacob Cook, Aimar Govea; Thomas Woodward (sub Ramon Rees-Siso 62m), Yori Griffith (sub Iestyn Jones 76m); Sammy Henia-Kamau. Keeper Ewan Griffiths was our unused sub.
We were thoroughly out thought in the first half: Peterborough pressed 3 forwards very high and directly against our back 3, left sided winger Ntege was a particular threat. We couldn’t get our widemen Llewellyn and Govea into the game and our numbers didn’t really create any advantage in midfield.
Our defensive game management wasn’t great – we created quite a few problems for ourselves, but somehow got through the first half intact. Llewellyn headed off the line from a scrambled Ntege chance on 18 minutes. Centre forward Winters hit the outside of the post with a turn and shot from outside the box on 28 minutes. We barely threatened, although Yori Griffith had a couple of sights on goal and Callum Deacon was a waspish presence in the middle.
Ntege, who was injured shortly before half-time, didn’t reappear after the break. This perhaps was a bit of a turning point for us, as the visitors weren’t quite the same force.
2 minutes into the 2nd half, Aimar Govea finally got given a promising ball to run onto, eluded his marker and put in an enticing left wing cross that the Peterborough keeper helpfully parried straight to Thomas Woodward to convert from close range to put us 1 up. Peterborough must have been amazed.
3 minutes later, Winters charged down a Margetson clearance, only for the ball to be bundled clear.
Peterborough continued to make and miss chances. Winters managed to shank a shot wide right in front of goal on 80 minutes.
A minute later, Henia-Kamau set up Govea to drift in from the right and score a cracking goal beyond the keeper to put us 2-0 up. It could have been even more decisive a few minutes later when the Posh were caught cold on a breakaway and keeper West was booked for hauling down Henia-Kamau after Siso beat him to a loose ball outside his area. On another day, he would have been dismissed.
Winters finally got a goal with a penalty awarded on 97 minutes after Ifans was penalised for tugging an opponent at a set-piece. Peterborough had a couple of scuffed last ditch efforts, but the Swans clung on.
The referee was very fussy in adhering to the new rules: Woodward (5m) and Siso (71m) were cautioned for obstructing free kicks. Govea was booked for time wasting at a throw-in (30m) and was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch for kicking the ball away early in the 2nd half. Fanning joined the list for kicking the ball away deep into added time. Even when we conceded the late penalty, Margetson managed to get himself booked for dissent. The cumulative 15 minutes added to the first and second halves seemed improbable.
A hard fought victory for our youngsters. Peterborough must have left Landore baffled. Arthur Parker was the pick of our defence, Deacon battled throughout, and all our young subs made a strong impression – defender Iestyn Jones made his home debut at this level and debutant U16s midfielder Harlan Perry also played his part as we ground out a morale-boosting win.
Peterborough coach Jamal Campbell-Ryce has been a frequent visitor in the past to the Liberty with teams such as Barnsley and Bristol City. We beat a decent side today.
Have a browse of images from the match in our Swansea City Under 18 v Peterborough United Under 18 match gallery.
Feature Image Credit: Majestic Media