A confusing end to an otherwise strong performance by a very young U18s squad today at Landore, in conditions that were bitterly cold, blustery and rainy for much of the afternoon.
After the FA Youth Cup heroics against Leeds earlier in the week, it was a much-changed selection, which operated as 3-5-2: Jakub Nowak; Kaven Bloniarczyk, Archie Quick, Jack May (s – Ben Phillips 60m); Alex Godfrey, Alffi Hughes, Bobo Evans (captain), Bobby Lewis, Elis Thomas (s – Wahab Ojetero 60m); Harvey Gray (s – Sol Baker 80m), Lukas Murphy (s – Ioan Johnston 87m).
Unused sub: Tom Wright (g/k).
The starting XI featured 2 of our U16s and a further 2 joined the fray later in the game, having already played much of the U16s’ own fixture on the next pitch against the same opposition. View match photos from the Swans U16s 3-2 victory on the Majestic Media website
We had two chances in the opening minutes: Gray flicking a shot that the frankly huge Millwall keeper Ndikum tipped over, Ndikum did the same again to deny May’s cross shot from the resulting corner.
Millwall’s equally tall but very pacy centre forward Okine gave May some tough moments at the other end of the pitch but the only real threat was when Beckwith collected some poor distribution and rather dramatically fell over Archie Quick in the area, the referee not being taken in.
First half play was fairly even, no true chances until Elis Thomas got on the end of a low Gray cross, a Millwall defender hacking the ball off the line. We started to dominate in the period to half-time, Hughes and Lewis taking potshots and finally Murphy overplayed a pass from Gray to allow Ndikum to collect.
Early chances followed for Lewis and Bloniarczyk and it was notable that right winger Alex Godfrey was enjoying more success in getting beyond his opposing full back. He had another clever run, breaking through the Millwall rearguard but Murphy wasn’t quite able to control the final pass in front of goal.
We still had a tendency to live dangerously at the back with some loose distribution, but managed to avoid calamity.
Just after the hour we went deservedly ahead, Murphy slickly finishing from 10 yards with a lofted shot after Godfrey and Lewis pierced the visitors’ defence once more.
Millwall brought on further reinforcements. Meanwhile, the average age of our side reduced further when Sol Baker and Ioan Johnston joined the action in the last 10 minutes.
We still looked in control, although a momentary lapse in concentration on full-time allowed Millwall to seize possession and take a scuffed shot that Nowak pushed onto the post and then parried the follow-up around the post. Nowak received attention for a good 5 minutes before play resumed with a Millwall corner that was headed behind for a repeat. Millwall changed tack and went long, with bodies congregating at the back post. Although the ball was cleared, the referee clearly detected something amiss – with the result that the visitors were presented an unlikely comeback with a penalty award, which Beckwith converted cleanly. Including the stoppage for Nowak’s injury, I made that 90m+7.
A strange way to conclude a tightly-fought contest, played in thoroughly inhospitable weather.
We just couldn’t close the game down on this occasion, but full plaudits to our youngsters, particularly Alffi Hughes and Bobby Lewis who combined well with skipper Bobo Evans in a lively midfield. Kaven Bloniarczyk had a strong game at the back and also got forward creatively. Alex Godfrey was an effective outlet throughout on the right.
Feature Image Credit: Majestic Media