A thoroughly entertaining 9 goal contest at Landore today – unfortunately 6 goals to the visitors!
At half-time we were 3-2 up, but our defence went missing after the interval and Charlton seemed to score at will. Not that our defenders were particularly poor – Jack Fanning, Arthur Parker and U16 graduate Ben Phillips all had positive contributions – we just didn’t function as a unit.
With some in-match permutations, our 3-4-2-1 line-up was: Ewan Griffiths; Arthur Parker, Ben Phillips, Jack Fanning (s – Osian Williams 61m); Josh Pescatore, Jacob Cook, Iestyn Jones, Aimar Govea (s – Theo Minchev 80m); Thomas Woodward, Yori Griffith; Rohan Davies (s – Henia-Kamau 61m).
Unused subs were goalkeeper Tom Wright and defender Kiel Higginson.
Charlton Athletic: Jude Sadler, Ethan Brown (s – Jadon Yamoah 79m), Luke Ashburn, Mikey Berry (s – Harmony Okwumo 46m), Mason Hunter, David Danso, Kai Enslin (s – Manu Wales 46m), Alan Mwamba, Patrick Casey, Ibrahim Fullah (s – Brook Myers 68m), Micah Black.
Some very peculiar officiating didn’t help us. Casey got the opening goal from a free kick ludicrously awarded inside the Swansea penalty area when Fanning made a brilliant challenge to steer the ball in the direction of goalkeeper Ewan Griffiths. Fanning responded by heading a simple free kick into the visitors’ goal 6 minutes later to get us level.
Thomas Woodward put us 2-1 up with good assistance from Aimar Govea. A mystery penalty decision allowed Charlton back into the game before Pescatore benefited from a Danson airshot to allow him a clear break on goal to give us a 3-2 lead on half-time. It was all very frantic football played at incredible pace.
We always looked a potent attacking threat, perhaps less so after Rohan Davies went off. Our defending varied between the heroic and catastrophic. At times we were completely wide open. Conceding 2 goals at crucial times from speculative long distance shots didn’t help. Addicks centre forward Patrick Casey will surely never score an easier hat-trick. We created and missed further chances, whereas Charlton were more decisive in front of goal.
There were very strong performance across the park – that’s the first time I’ve seen Iestyn Jones operate in a midfield role; he was very effective, tirelessly chasing balls down and distributing neatly. Yori Griffith is an elegant striker of the ball and Thomas Woodward continues to shine in an attacking position. They really look as though they could be credible future first team candidates.
When he wasn’t awarding free kicks or penalties, the referee also found the opportunity to book Parker, Phillips and Griffith.
Strange refereeing aside, It’s no disgrace to lose to such a well-established academy outfit. I’m sure our coaching staff – whoever they are these days – will take on board the lessons from today.
Charlton were managed by former Leeds centre half Jason Pearce.
Goalscoring: Casey 0-1 (9m), Fanning 1-1 (15m), Woodward 2-1 (18m), Casey (pen) 2-2 (41m), Pescatore 3-2 (45m+), Casey 3-3 (60m), Mwamba 3-4 (65m), Yamoah 3-5 (85m), Casey 3-6 (90m+).
Have a browse of images from the match in this Swansea City Under 18 v Charlton Athletic Under 18 match gallery.
Feature Image Credit: Majestic Media