An entertaining 4-2 PDL Cup win at Landore today against our rivals Cardiff City.
There may be times this season when our U18 won’t be able to score enough to offset the number of goals they insist on chucking into their own net, but today was satisfying.
Team formation was 3-4-2-1: Kit Margetson; Arthur Parker, Seb Dabrowski (s – Ramon Rees-Siso 68m), Jack Fanning; Josh Pescatore (s – Amair Govea 62m), Callum Deacon (captain), Jacob Cook, Caio Ifans (s – Ben Phillips 83m); Thomas Woodward, Dan Watts; Sammy Henia Kamau (s – Rohan Davies 83m). Unused sub: Ewan Griffiths
A very good crowd in the sun at Landore today – and as many on the adjacent pitch to watch our U16s gain (so far as I could make out was) a 3-2 win over our near neighbours.
Our U18 had a great start, with Sammy Henia Kamau finishing emphatically on 2 minutes after Jack Fanning and Dan Watts carved out an opening for him down the left hand side.
Henia Kamau had another chance on 10 minutes when a straightforward Margetson punt forward sent him through on goal. On this occasion, the goalkeeper stuck out a leg to deflect his shot wide, but our centre forward’s pace caused the big Cardiff central defence a lot of problems throughout.
This isn’t to say we had it all our own way. We’d already created some of our own mishaps at the back before a short back pass was intercepted by Ola, who beat Margetson to the ball and converted into an empty net on 11 minutes. Cardiff are a strong, adventurous outfit, the left winger Japhet Matondo gave us all sorts of problems and midfielder Troy Perrett was a clever creative threat from attacking midfield.
We patiently and determinedly withstood some pressure and managed to get ahead again 10 minutes later, Fanning thumping a far post header home from a deep corner. Jack looked a menace at all set pieces – Cardiff just couldn’t deal with him.
On 29 minutes, Henia Kamau got his second from the penalty spot after the referee penalised a Cardiff defender for handball in the area. Dan Watts was once again involved in the setup play.
The visitors didn’t relent – Perrett scuffed a shot against the Swans post after clever passing between Matondo and Thomas worked him into position inside our 6 yard box. We got to half-time 3-1 to the good, despite another unforced loss of possession in front of our own box.
It didn’t last. Matondo, who was prominent against us last season as well, outpaced Seb Dabrowski down the left, got himself brought down in the box and Cardiff clawed a goal back on the hour. Seb was booked for his troubles. Margetson got a hand to the spot kick from substitute Spiers.
If things were starting to look a little ominous, Cardiff missed their big moment when Matondo couldn’t make decent contact with a free header right in front of the exposed Swans goal on 66. The header floated safely wide.
Our side regrouped – Callum Deacon went to centre half, Dan Watts dropped deeper and Ramon Rees-Siso offered another outlet up front.
Henia Kamau rounded off a great display of finishing by latching onto a lofted ball over the Cardiff defence, using quick feet to calmly take the ball around the Bluebirds’ keeper to put us 4-2 up.
That finished the scoring with a quarter of an hour to go – which was convenient for me and a number of other spectators who were wandering around the pitch to make their way over to the Bristol City game.
A heartening and well-earned win against a resolute and skilful opposition. When this team clicks, it’s very good to watch. Aside from Henia Kamau – whose finishing was first class – Dan Watts made a significant difference to our team today, giving the opportunity for his team mates to rise to the occasion. Special mentions also to Arthur Parker, who stood up well to a really difficult winger, and Jack Fanning, who is definitely settling in well.
Have a browse of images from the match in this Swansea City Under 18 v Cardiff City Under 18 match gallery.
Feature Image Credit: Majestic Media