A fine and thoroughly deserved win for our U21s in the driving rain at Leckwith this evening.
After the very youthful side put out earlier in the week shipped 6 goals at Charlton, this evening’s starting line-up featured just 2 U-18 players, Carter Heywood and Harlan Perry, with a number of scholars making up the majority of the substitutes’ bench.
As seems to be the vogue throughout the club right now, the side operated 4-3-3, although Tom Woodward was pushed high up to support Morgan Bates. Perry and Blair McKenzie featured in unusual full back positions, with Iestyn Jones and Carter Heywood taking the central defensive roles.
Line-up: Joe Collins; Harlan Perry, Iestyn Jones, Carter Heywood, Blair McKenzie; Yori Griffith (s – Bobby Lewis 87m), Dan Watts (captain), Tom Woodward (s – Milo Robinson 78m); Josh Pescatore, Morgan Bates, Caleb Demery (s – Alex Godfrey 87m).
Unused subs: Tom Wright (g/k), Callum Deacon
As the rain belted down, it looked entirely possible that the game might not actually go ahead. That fear wasn’t realised, although the conditions remained dreadful all night.
The match official didn’t really seem to make much allowance for the conditions and booked quite a few players during the evening, with the risk that any further mistimed challenge might result in a dismissal.
In the opening minutes, goalkeeper Collins dealt competently with a couple of early Cardiff efforts from outside the box and, for the Swans, Josh Pescatore broke on the right to get over an inviting cross.
Both sides were struggling gamely to come to terms with the conditions which, if anything, actually got worse as the half wore on.
The Swans went 1-0 ahead on 16 minutes with a really smart piece of interplay starting with Collins playing the ball out of the area to Heywood. The ball was moved quickly up the pitch – and on the ground – through McKenzie and Demery before Tom Woodward found Pescatore in space inside the box, the Swans winger converting with a low shot to the far corner.
At the other end, left winger Ola found room to deliver a cross shot that Collins parried away from goal.
Inevitably some of the players indulged in tempting sliding tackles, but there was nothing malicious until a flare up between opposing skippers Dan Watts and Kingdon.
Swansea ended the half on top with efforts from Griffith and Bates posing a threat.
The Swans continued to dominate play after half-time, Dan Watts having a storming run and shot, then Bates side footing a clear shot over the bar after Woodward found him in space. Having settled into the right back role, Harlan Perry worked increasingly well with Pescatore and further chances were created for Demery and Woodward, but the team couldn’t find the finishing touch to get some distance between the sides.
On 66 minutes, Cardiff’s key moment arrived when a long ball over the top was skilfully brought down by centre forward Jake Davies who found himself clear on goal. He went down under a challenge inside the area, but the referee took a long look and decided there was no infringement.
Although Cardiff found something of a second wind for the next 10 minutes, they didn’t create any opportunities of note. The back four of Perry, Jones, Heywood and McKenzie stood firm and the Swans clawed their way back into the game, with Dan Watts playing an inspiring role. The team was given a great opportunity on 82 minutes when keeper Higgs was caught in possession near the halfway line. With Higgs hopelessly out of position, Pescatore was sent clear, only for Debono to divert his shot off the line.
With just the single goal separating the sides there was always the possibility that the home side would conjure up a late equaliser. Fortunately, the Swans – with 3 late U-18 substitutes playing their part – battled their way to a hard-earned victory.
I believe this is the first time our U-21/23 age grade sides has won at this venue since April 2015.
The weather didn’t get much better on the journey home, but the players and coaching staff must be very pleased with their efforts this evening.
Feature Image Credit: Welsh Athletics