Another lively friendly outing for our U21s and against what was a strong Briton Ferry Llansawel squad at Old Road. It appeared as though we’d battled our way to a well-earned victory – only for a spectacular 80th minute strike by Tom Walters to seize a draw for the home team.
New 1st year scholar Jakub Nowak made his debut appearance in goals for the U21s. We were missing Aimar Govea, Tom Woodward, Caleb Demery and Yori Griffith through injury and Iestyn Jones was also unavailable, so it was quite a young squad that was selected for this fixture against our Cymru Premier opponents. Jack Fanning started for Ferry, as it’s expected he’ll be playing with the club on loan this season. Former Swans Kian Jenkins and Luis Bates appeared off the bench, Tom Price began in midfield. No teamsheet and no announcements but a good atmosphere at a well-run club.
Line-up: Jakub Nowak; Thomas Searle (s – Billy Clarke 46m), Brogan Popham (Carter Heywood 61m), Ben Phillips, Callum Deacon (s – Caio Ifans 71m); Harlan Perry, Dan Watts (captain) (s – Milo Robinson 71m), Mitchell Bates (s – Jacob Cook 61m); Josh Pescatore (s – Zac Jeanes 46m), Morgan Bates (s – Josiah Kallicharan 71m), Ramon Rees-Siso (s – Kai Rhodes 71m).
Ferry had narrowly lost 2-1 to Merthyr on Friday, so it was no surprise that the opening exchanges were very competitive. Mitchell Bates had first sight of goal with a cross shot on 23 minutes that struck the side netting. Dan Watts and Harlan Perry were instrumental in much of our constructive play, releasing Ramon Rees-Siso and Josh Pescatore to get behind the Ferry back four. Brogan Popham and Ben Phillips had to be on their toes to repel attacks and keeper Nowak seemed comfortable and confident both in the air and on the ground.
Ferry struck the underside of the bar from distance just after the half hour mark and we took advantage of our good fortune a minute later when Rees-Siso was set free by Callum Deacon and worked his way to the byline to deliver a perfect low cross for Pescatore to convert from close range. Further belligerent defending kept Ferry out as we battled our way to half-time, Harlan Perry going close with a long range volley.
Gametime was provided to a number of our scholars and they gave respectable accounts of themselves against a Ferry team anxious to get something out of the contest in front of a decent crowd. The match continued at high tempo, albeit with clear chances at a premium for both sides until Walter’s late direct free kick got Ferry back on terms.
Harlan Perry shone most brightly for us, always looking to create. Phillips, Popham and Heywood rose well to the searching pressure Ferry applied. Although he had little chance of dealing with the equaliser, Jakub Nowak had an encouraging debut. Another positive workout for our youngsters.