Our U17s finally triumphed 4-2 after extra time this evening against Cheltenham to clinch a place in the PDL Cup Final.
Cheltenham can feel a little hard done by, although – on sheer chances alone – Swans hat-trick sub Callum Jones created probably more on his own than the opposition did.
We narrowly avoided having to go to penalties, but penalties – or rather missed penalties – were prominent in the way in which the game swung one way to the other.
Cheltenham managed to miss 2, we managed to miss 1 that would have sealed the deal with the last kick of normal time. As it was, the 2 sides had to take the game through extra time before Swansea finally got their noses over the line.
We fielded 8 U16s in a youthful starting line-up and 11 in the full squad. Another couple of new names who haven’t featured at U18 level this season: Sol Baker and Ioan Johnston. We started 4-3-3. Harlan Perry led the team once more from a deeper midfield role, but he got forward regularly to create or take opportunities.
Tom Wright; Kaven Bloniarczyk, Carter Heywood, Ben Phillips, Caio Ifans (s – Wahab Ojetero 90+23m); Harlan Perry (captain), Alfie Jones (s – Ioan Johnston 75m), Alex Godfrey; Bobo Evans, Harvey Gray (s – Bobby Lewis 90+16), Elis Thomas (s – Callum Jones 46m).
Unused subs: Sol Baker g/k.
Joe Roberts coached the team once more.
We started well, and had already passed up one gilt edged opening before Bloniarczyk stole up unnoticed on the right hand side of the box to head home after Caio Ifans had neatly brought a loose ball under control and delivered an enticing cross to the far side of the 6 yard box.
The visitors were slower off the mark and the sense was that – if we could score again quickly – we could put the game to bed early. Harlan Perry had a shot deflected into the keeper’s gloves from distance, Elis Thomas was ruled offside when looking like he’d been played clean through and Bobo Evans was foiled at the far post when a short corner routine afforded him an opportunity.
Sure enough, Cheltenham worked their way back into the game. Centre forward Obieri was fouled inside the area on 26 minutes and the referee awarded a penalty, which Obieri took himself. A nice height for the keeper, Tom Wright saved it and the rebound was bustled out of play by Wright’s alert defenders.
A couple more chances came the way of Harvey Gray and Bobo Evans, but we were definitely struggling to retain possession, creating a few of our own problems and were coming under increasing pressure. The battle between Ben Phillips and the imposing and quick footed Obieri was an interesting watch, Ben holding his own in quite a physical contest.
We made it unscathed to half-time.
Callum Jones, such an impactful substitute in recent games, was introduced after the interval on the left wing and made a significant impression on the remainder of the game.
Cheltenham’s right sided midfielder Caple passed up a direct shot on target when the visitors broke away and on the other flank left winger Bailey ran the length of the half unchallenged, only to hammer a shot to the underside of our crossbar.
Callum Jones was offering an invaluable outlet on the left, although as a whole we seemed to be running short of ideas and going too long too early.
We had another let-off when Bailey got away again on the left and laid a cross on a plate for Tom King only for the Cheltenham forward to flick the ball straight into Wright’s hands.
A flurry of substitutions on 75 minutes allowed Briton Ferry Llansawel product Ioan Johnston to enter play, taking up a right wing position with Bobo Evans moving into the middle. Cheltenham’s own replacements upped the tempo and tension on a Swans defence that was otherwise clearing attacks resolutely.
With just 4 minutes of normal time to go, Cheltenham got their reward and went level with a clear header by centre half Walters from a deep corner.
Both sides had chances to finish the game in the 90 minutes: Harlan Perry tried an audacious shot straight from the kick-off that the goalie was able to collect; Walters hit the Swans crossbar when he found himself completely in the clear; Callum Jones had yet another effort deflected wide.
Bang on full time, we were awarded a penalty of our own when Rudman handled. Goalkeeper Diallo did just enough to keep out Harvey Gray’s spot kick – and that was the last action of normal time.
Cheltenham’s tails were up, emphasised by an apparently aimless ball forward in the first minute of added time that found its way completely through the Swans defence, allowing Croose to get away and beat Wright to put Cheltenham into the lead.
At a point when we looked a little on our heels, Callum Jones scored 2 marvellous and almost identical goals from distance to not only get us back in the game but also turn the dial the Swans’ way once again at 3-2.
Matters were by no means over. In the 2nd half of added time, Callum Jones continued to provide a potent menace, either making or realising opportunities that could have secured the result. Substitute Wahab Ojetero made an instant effect with a touch and shot from outside the box that Diallo punched clear.
Even with the 2 teams looking slightly punch drunk and a couple of players down on the edge of the Swansea penalty box, Cheltenham got another penalty with a tired challenge. This was on 117 minutes. After a bit of delay, striker Tom King stepped up to make it 3-3… but his shot struck the outside of the Swans post. Another escape. Penalties (further penalties) had looked inevitable.
Cometh the hour, an ambitious through ball from Ojetero seemed to be finding itself to an innocuous outcome deep in the visitors’ penalty area when Rudman took possession off his own keeper – only for the impulsive Callum Jones to pick pocket possession, jink away and pot the ball to get the Swans unassailably 4-2 ahead.
An amazing result for this young side, who got through a really tough evening and were understandably jubilant at the final whistle.
Full credit to both sides for a really hard fought, exciting contest. We meet either Bolton or Luton in the final.
Scoring: Bloniarczyk 1-0 7m; Walters 1-1 86m; Croose 1-2 90+1m; C Jones 2-2 90+4m; C Jones 3-2 90+5m; C Jones 4-2 90+29m.
Have a browse of images from the match in our Swansea City Under 17 v Cheltenham Town Under 17 match gallery.
The young Swans will now face Luton Town at home in the final, with the date and venue to be arranged.
Feature Image Credit: Majestic Media