A fast paced match in the Landore drizzle that finished goalless but was highly entertaining throughout.
We initially lined up 3-5-2 and varied to 4-4-2 and 3-4-3 during the game: Kit Margetson; Arthur Parker, Richard Faakye (s – Aimar Govea 53m), Iestyn Jones, Seb Dabrowski; Josh Pescatore (s – Morgan Bates 80m), Jacob Cook, Dan Watts, Maliq Cadogan; Thomas Woodward, Ben Lloyd (captain) (s – Sammy Henia-Kamau 62m).
Unused subs – Zac Jeanes, Jack Fanning. No sub keeper tonight.
2 well-matched sides fought out an intriguing first half. Chances were few and far between, we were however showing a lot of attacking intent through the middle – with Cook and Watts particularly busy – and flanks, from Pescatore and Cadogan. Tom Woodward battled away in an unfamiliar central striking role and was always involved.
Our back 3 of Arthur Parker, Richard Faakye and Iestyn Jones stood very firm and moved the ball around intelligently. Parker and Jones varied defensive positions throughout the match as coach Anthony Wright made some imaginative substitutions and formation changes. Neither put a foot wrong all game. Faakye picked up a knock early in the 2nd half that forced him off, Anthony Wright choosing to introduce Aimar Govea into the fray to increase the pressure on a resilient Ipswich defence.
Cadogan, Lloyd and Woodward all had sights of goal before the interval. Ipswich built patiently, often looking to release right winger Morgan as an outlet. Kit Margetson was largely untroubled, although Morgan blazed over in the closing minutes of the first half.
Govea’s entry saw the lively Josh Pescatore move back to right back as we switched to 4-4-2. As the 2nd half progressed, we were getting closer and closer, although clear chances remained at a premium. On 57 minutes, Woodward was sent through by clever work from Lloyd and Cadogan, bringing keeper Williamson into action with a fine save to deny the Swans an opener.
Ipswich’s rangy striker Boniface posed the biggest threat for the visitors, latching onto a searching through ball to force Margetson to beat out his shot.
Morgan Bates added physical punch up front in the last 10 minutes, the ball pinging around the visitors’ box in the final stages, Cadogan firing a last gasp effort over.
In summary, a very decent point – it would have been harsh for either side to have lost what was a very competitive game, although the young Swans edged it overall. Dan Watts and Jacob Cook in particular put in tremendous shifts, Arthur Parker and Iestyn Jones were calm efficiency personified.