A dramatic finish at a wild and windy Landore this evening, with our U21 snatching a 96th minute equaliser to keep our Premier Division League Cup qualification hopes alive.
Sammy Henia-Kamau got on the end of a lovely dinked cross from Ben Lloyd to score from close range to clinch the 1-1 draw.
It was nothing less than our youngsters deserved. We played 70 minutes with 10 players after Seb Dabrowski was instantly red carded for bringing down West Brom’s Sule just inside the Swansea half, being adjudged to be the last man. It wasn’t the last time referee Mackey had a material impact on the game.
To that point, the Swans had enjoyed the better of the chances, even though Albion’s Wales Under 17s cap Oliver Bostock had struck the woodwork twice in the opening 6 minutes. In between, Kyrell Wilson had nipped onto a great through ball to chip against the visitors’ crossbar.
We lined up with a return to a familiar 3-5-2 formation, adjusting to 4-4-1 or 4-3-2 at times after Dabrowski’s dismissal: Evan Watts; Iestyn Jones (s – Morgan Bates 83m), Arthur Parker, Richard Faakye; Zac Jeanes (s – Josh Pescatore 76m), Glory Nzingo (s – Jacob Cook 76m), Mitchell Bates (captain), Ben Lloyd, Seb Dabrowski; Kyrell Wilson (s – Sammy Henia-Kamau 66m), Aimar Govea. Unused sub: Ben Hughes.
Opening exchanges were even – Albion’s players looked physically more mature, but we were lively, with Nzingo, Lloyd and Wilson causing lots of problems. Chances came to all 3 but Albion managed to keep us out.
After we went down to 10 men, we inevitably fell back and dug in. Wilson went down at the same time Seb left the pitch and at one point we were down to 9. It was encouraging that we saw the half out without conceding.
Evan Watts hadn’t had a great deal to do, but bravely raced out to block Sule 4 minutes into the 2nd half. Although Albion tried to take advantage of the extra man by stretching the play, it was notable that chances were still coming the Swans’ way – both Nzingo and Govea going agonisingly close to converting well-constructed moves. Ben Lloyd was then just over with a clean strike after more close control by Kyrell Wilson opened up space. That was Wilson’s last contribution, Sammy Henia-Kamau coming on to offer some fresh legs.
A key moment occurred on 73 minutes when Lloyd was harshly penalised for a tough but clean tackle on West Brom full back Nelson right in front of the stand. The referee signalled a free kick, Nelson pushed and shoved Lloyd, who reacted and within seconds the rest of outfield players were involved. The referee, who’d allowed this to happen, finally resumed control by booking Nelson, Lloyd and Albion striker Sule. Faakye followed a minute later. A very animated Ben Lloyd was rather fortunate to avoid being dismissed for a frustrated challenge shortly afterwards.
West Brom decided the time was right to remove Sule from the pitch, coach Anthony Wright kept Lloyd on in a withdrawn left back role when Iestyn Jones had to be helped off. Ben had a remarkable final quarter – first of all conceding the penalty that allowed the visitors to go 1-0 with 5 minutes to go. After we’d battled so resolutely, it seemed as though Albion hadn’t had to work too hard to finally get ahead.
We kept pressing – Morgan Bates being the latest striker to be denied by Albion keeper Cisse. Deep into added time, Ben delivered a perfect centre for Henia-Kamau to convert from close range to clinch the draw. The players were rightly delighted – and Ben Lloyd in particular.
Great fare in dreadful weather.
Scoring: Higgins (pen) 0-1 85m; Henia-Kamau 1-1 90+6m.
A late correction: I should’ve listened more closely to the lady sat next to me, who was an ardent Baggies fan who’d travelled to this evening’s game.
West Brom substitutes Cleary and Higgins swopped jersey numbers and didn’t appear as listed in the line-up.
It was Cleary who scored the WBA penalty.