Our U21s drew the curtain on this season’s competition with a thoroughly convincing 5-0 victory over PDL2 North divisional champions Sheffield United at the Swansea stadium. The manner of the victory was emphatic and exacted a degree of payback – the Blades gave us 3 hidings last season, including a chastening televised 4-2 defeat at Bramall Lane in the PDL2 play-offs.
There were a number of familiar names and faces in the Blades’ line-up. We also fielded a strong starting XI and bench, offering gametime to Ben Lloyd, Sam Parker, Dan Watts, Aimar Govea and the returning Filip Lissah.
We operated 4-3-3, although Sam Parker was pushed up from right back to supplement the forwards when it became quickly evident that United were playing a rigid backline of 5 in defence.
Line-up: Kit Margetson; Sam Parker (s – Yori Griffith 82m), Iestyn Jones, Filip Lissah (s – Zac Jeanes 68m), Seb Dabrowski (s – Jack Fanning 46m); Dan Watts, Jacob Cook, Ben Lloyd (captain); Thomas Woodward (s – Callum Deacon 82m), Morgan Bates, Aimar Govea (s – Ramon Rees-Siso 62m).
Given their pedigree, it was a little curious to see how conservatively Sheffield set up. It more or less invited the Swans to advance forward with a combination of both long and short balls to test the Blades rearguard.
United’s early activity was limited to a speculative free-kick from Sam Aston that bounced awkwardly, forcing Kit Margetson to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Morgan Bates went close when Dan Watts found him in space in the area, the visiting keeper pushing the shot around the post. Filip Lissah might have found the net from the resulting corner when Jacob Cook’s shot deflected off him but his touch fell kindly for the keeper.
Aston had another go at testing Margetson with a chip from distance but it was no surprise when – after Woodward just couldn’t get on the end of a pearler of a centre from Dabrowski – Bates put us ahead with a firm header from Woodward’s own headed knock-on.
Our football was neat and incisive – Parker and Govea seeing a lot of the ball and getting in behind the visitors’ full backs. Cook, Watts and Lloyd were particularly creative in the heart of our midfield, Bates and Woodward always offering outlets. Conversely, we got occasionally sloppy in distribution in defence, but Sheffield offered very little to punish any errors.
On 28 minutes, Woodward smashed a left footed shot across the face of goal from an acute angle after another tempting Govea centre.
We survived a rare scare when Atherton got clear shortly after, Margetson saving his shot cleanly.
Deservedly we pulled 2 goals clear with really smart linkup play by Watts and Woodward that sent Lloyd into the area to score comfortably. Immediately after, Bates was denied again by the keeper after being forced wide to collect another sharp pass from Watts. Tellingly, Sheffield United left back Patterson was cautioned before half-time after repeatedly tugging Swans players’ shirts. 2-0 to the good at the interval seemed a fair if perhaps not fully representative reflection of play and chances.
Jack Fanning was introduced for the 2nd half, replacing Seb Dabrowski, and slotted initially straight in at left back.
Sam Parker continued to enjoy room on the right hand side in front of the West Stand, blasting a left footed shot wide. Dan Watts almost forced his way through with a bursting run.
Left back Patterson felt sufficiently pressurised to make a desperate tackle on the elusive Parker and saw red just 4 minutes into play. Down to 10, United regrouped only by repositioning the useful midfielder Waldron into the vacant left back position. This served only to confirm their unimaginative approach and encouraged our players to stretch play and hunt out further openings.
Parker – who simply exuded confidence and style – drew a flying save with a shot from outside the area. Tom Woodward rescued a ball from Watts but could only hit the side netting. Woodward got his reward when he eagerly snapped up a rebound after Ben Lloyd took another pot shot from distance that came back off the keeper and post.
Chances continued to come thick and fast for the Swans – Watts and Fanning both tried their luck. We rightly got a 4th when Ben Lloyd struck a fine finish into the corner of the net after Woodward’s cross was invitingly headed out to him.
With the inevitable reshaping with substitutions, we didn’t lose momentum. Filip Lissah looked understandably rusty and took a couple of tough challenges, but overall can be pleased with his return to home competitive action.
We made the extra man pay, Sheffield looked as though they’d completely lost heart, a single shot from Beattie being their sole 2nd half threat – and one which Margetson dealt with comfortably.
Ramon Rees-Siso replaced Govea on the left, tried to find his sights with a couple of efforts in the closing stages. He succeeded by racing beyond the Blades defence to collect a tempting pass from Jacob Cook. Ramon got clear, rounded the keeper and rolled the ball home for the 5th of the game. An exciting finish.
Impressive performances across the pitch and a real team effort: Sam Parker, our entire midfield all particularly excelled with tireless displays. A pleasing finale to a busy campaign.
The Blades were managed by one-time Coventry and Birmingham striker Gary McSheffrey. Goalkeeper Hewitson is misspelled in today’s teamsheet.
Goals: Bates 1-0 18m; Lloyd 2-0 37m; Woodward 3-0 57m; Lloyd 4-0 67m; Rees-Siso 5-0 86m.
Feature Image Credit: Swansea City Football Club