This was a hard-earned victory at Landore against a Charlton Athletic side that was top of the Division 2 South table and unbeaten since August. It was also the U21s first home game since September.
We fielded a strong-looking side, set up as 4-2-3-1: Evan Anderson; Sam Parker (s – Ramon Rees-Siso 59m), Arthur Parker (captain), Iestyn Jones, Callum Deacon (s – Zac Jeanes 46m); Dan Watts (captain) (s – Caleb Demery 81m), Harlan Perry (s – Carter Heywood 68m); Josh Pescatore, Tom Woodward, Yori Griffith; Morgan Bates.
Unused sub: Tom Wright (g/k)
Caleb Demery made a return to the squad after being injured in the MG Cup game against Carmarthen back in July. Defenders Blair McKenzie and Seb Dabrowski have knocks so missed this evening’s game.
Pleasingly, we had a dominant first half, really should have been more goals ahead than 2-0, but linked up well through the channels and limited Charlton’s play. Morgan Bates had an early opportunity created by Yori Griffith that was blocked by the Charlton keeper Hardy. On 13 minutes, Griffith got through again and set up Woodward, who worked his way to deliver a shot that fortuitously took a wicked deflection up and over Hardy to put the Swans 1-0 up. Safa gave an immediate reply that was saved by Evan Anderson, but the Swans deservedly went 2-0 up on 18 minutes when a smart move started by Iestyn Jones was progressed through Harlan Perry and Josh Pescatore to give Dan Watts clear sight of goal.
Our middle duo of Watts and Perry were getting through a lot of work to keep control of the ball. We remained on top for the remainder of the half, Charlton being reduced to half-chances: Sam Washington-Amoah was blocked by Jones and skipper Hunter’s clear header from a corner was safely collected by Anderson. Charlton’s first significant chance arrived just before half-time from a free-kick on the edge of our area that allowed left back Enslin to take a pass and drive powerfully at goal, Anderson being able to deflect the shot wide. It wasn’t the last time Enslin proved a threat at dead balls. Still, we got to the interval 2 up and playing very well as a complete unit.
At half-time, Zac Jeanes replaced Callum Deacon at left back. Enslin took another potshot from distance that Anderson pushed around the post. We then had major opportunities to put further distance between the sides: on 50 minutes, Woodward’s goal was ruled out after clever footwork and passing by Jeanes and Bates put him through on the left. Minutes later, Charlton’s goal led a charmed life as – in a single move – Griffith and Woodward had multiple close range shots saved, blocked or striking the post before the visitors scrambled the ball clear.
Sam Parker, who’d been booked just after half-time, went off with Ramon Rees-Siso coming into a right sided role, Pescatore dropping to right back.
Charlton started to get their game together and looked more threatening with still 25 minutes to go. Casey and Tagoe sent speculative efforts high over the bar as Athletic rallied at pace.
Losing our midfield hub of Perry and Watts, we were increasingly under pressure and a Charlton goal looked inevitable as our area was peppered from both flanks.
Arthur Parker was harshly booked for overstretching a challenge but both he and Iestyn Jones were putting in tremendous displays to keep the Charlton attacks at bay. We shipped in reinforcements, had a couple of rare sorties from Bates and Rees-Siso, but essentially we were on the back foot for the last 20 minutes.
Charlton’s big chance came at last on 87 minutes when set-piece man Enslin fired in a direct free kick that struck the underside of the bar, bounced down and came out to be hacked to safety.
Right on 90 minutes, Caleb Demery was sent away from inside the Swans half, breaking clear and making sure he was close enough to goal to get a shot on target. Hardy saved, the ball went back to Demery who intelligently found Morgan Bates in space on the right of goal to place a clean shot to put the Swans 3-0 up.
There was still time for Iestyn Jones to make yet another last ditch interception to ensure that the U21s kept the goal intact to gain a fine win over a talented set of opponents. The whole squad made a tremendous contribution and in different ways to achieve this win. Dan Watts and Harlan Perry were both creative and destructive in midfield. Arthur Parker and Iestyn Jones were absolute rocks at the back and fully deserved that clean sheet.