A thrilling 2nd half comeback from our youngsters to clinch a 5-2 win over Ipswich in what was our first home league U18s fixture since 26th November.
Ipswich were fairly dour opponents who possessed a number of really big, imposing players and a significant potent threat at set pieces. Left sided attacker Eze alone must have been at least 6’ 6”, if not even taller.
The Swans team started 3-4-3 and varied between 3-4-1-2 and 3-4-2-1 at various points in the game. No Brogan Popham or Ben Phillips, so Wahab Ojetero was given another opportunity at the centre of defence. Morgan Bates led the line and in the first half was routinely joined by Alex Godfrey and Aidan Higgins. Harlan Perry captained the side from the heart of the midfield and, until he went off with a slight twinge, was our most influential player, showing great tenacity and a clever range of passing to open up play.
Line-up: Sam Seager; Kiele Higginson, Carter Heywood, Wahab Ojetero (s – Billy Clarke 70m, s – Alfie Jones 78m); Osian Williams, Harlan Perry (captain) (s – Callum Jones 78m), Milo Robinson, Callum Deacon (s – Caio Ifans 70m); Aidan Higgins, Morgan Bates, Alex Godfrey.
Unused sub: Tom Wright (g/k) – regular deputy Isaac Dudding is out for 4 months recuperating from a knee operation.
The team was coached by Joe Roberts, who’s been a fixture at the academy for a while. He was accompanied by goalkeeping coach Paul Wavell.
We were the livelier of the 2 sides in the early exchanges, notably being quick to get crosses in – right sided midfielder Osian Williams hooking over when Ipswich keeper Fletcher dropped a high ball to his feet. It took us just 11 minutes to open the scoring, Ojetero breaking on the left to centre for Aidan Higgins to smartly flick around the keeper to finish from close range.
Morgan Bates had a couple of efforts blocked, Higginson and Williams also went close as we pressed Ipswich hard.
Despite this domination, the inevitable happened when centre half Chenery – who’d already headed against the post from a corner – found space again at the far post to equalise just after the half hour.
A further set piece allowed Chenery to snap up his 2nd early in the 2nd half, a needlessly conceded and uncleared free kick finding its way to him to put Ipswich ahead. It felt slightly unjust on the balance of play, but Ipswich were clearly playing to their strengths in a way that our team struggled to cope with. To their credit, the Swans reorganised and kept corners and free kicks to the bare minimum for the rest of the game.
The match itself was held up for 13 minutes shortly after when Callum Decan landed awkwardly on his back after an aerial challenge. It was clear the injury was serious enough to warrant a neck brace and stretcher. Hopefully, this was precautionary and Callum is not hurt.
New coach Roberts took the opportunity to reshape things – Caio Ifans coming on for Deacon and in an advanced left sided role, Billy Clarke replacing Ojetero and with Osian Williams moving into the centre alongside Kiele Higginson and Carter Heywood.
We looked the sharper team on resumption of play and equalised almost immediately when Ifans’s belligerent run and cross was scuffed by Bates and fell kindly for Aidan Higgins to get us back on level terms. We continued the momentum and promptly scored 2 more goals in the next 3 minutes to go an improbable 4-2 up – the first being a superb floated shot from Milo Robinson that found the far corner, the next being a firm stirke from Bates after we’d pressed Ipswich’s harassed defenders into losing possession in their own area. Alex Godfrey played major roles in both goals.
Back came Ipswich with 4 substitutions. Billy Clarke, who’d been on the pitch a matter of minutes, and Harlan Perry both had to leave at the same time. U16s Alfie Jones slotted into the centre of midfield; Callum Jones offered a dangerous dribbling outlet in support of the tireless Bates. Ifans and the Joneses provided great fizz to a quick moving, breaking and passing display.
Play opened up considerably – chances came for both Bates and Higgins to get hat-tricks. Ipswich threatened ominously, the feeling being that if they got 1 back, there was always a prospect they could pull level. We definitely looked the fitter of either side.
In the 18 minutes of added time, Callum Jones finally put the seal on the match when he latched onto Bates’s flick, jinked his way cleverly past defenders to score from close quarters.
A tremendous result and a highly spirited performance. The entire squad really earned it. The clsoing back 3 of Higginson, Heywood and Williams really earned their corn to repel the visitors. Bates and Higgins provided great outlets and Godfrey was excellent. It’s easy to forget we had 3 U16 players on the pitch – none looked out of place.
Joe Roberts will be rightly delighted on his home coaching debut. Fingers crossed that Callum Deacon’s injury is not a severe one.
Have a browse of images from the match in our Swansea City Under 18 v Ipswich Town Under 18 match gallery.