A draw in a game our U21s really should have won comfortably.
We fielded a decent side and dominated large stretches of play, weakly conceding goals at times when we looked at our strongest.
Newcomer Tom Iorpenda was given a start in a midfield alongside Harlan Perry. Coach Anthony Wright probably had to shoehorn available players into a formation. Yori Griffith was unfit and joined a lengthy list of injured players on the sidelines, including Tom Searle, Callum Jones, Caleb Demery, Dan Watts, Ramon Rees-Siso.
Line-up: Evan Watts; Iestyn Jones, Arthur Parker (captain), Carter Heywood (s – Jack Fanning 70m), , Seb Dabrowski (s – Milo Robinson 46m); Billy Clarke, Tom Iorpenda (s – Bobby Lewis 82m), Harlan Perry (s – Kai Rhodes 90m); Joe Davies, Tom Woodward, Ben Lloyd.
Unused substitutes: Joe Collins (g/k), Greg Asomokhai, Ioan Johnston.
There were a couple of odd episodes early on when both sides hit the crossbar from unlikely sources – Blake for Huddy, Seb Dabrowski for the Swans. Chances were otherwise few and far between in a keenly fought opening half. Deep into added time, the Swans were asleep at a corner and allowed Ashia to get to the byline to create an opportunity to put the visitors 1-0 up.
We went to 3 at the back on half-time, with Milo Robinson joining the midfield.
Tom Woodward, who always looked a threat, got us level with a tremendous shot from an Arthur Parker break and pass. Within 5 minutes a cross from Ben Lloyd found its way over the Huddersfield keeper to put us into the lead. Fluke or not, it reflected the balance of play and we really should have added to the score, with Woodward going close again as we got our passing game flowing. Iorpenda was neat, not significantly influential but did a constructive job before making way for 16 year old Bobby Lewis. Lewis immediately had a great chance to extend the lead after a clever Lloyd and Woodward move but was blocked. Woodward had a goal ruled offside a minute later and, as time ran down, had a tremendous header clawed out by goalkeeper Hurl.
Huddersfield seized an unexpected and rare opportunity to break and score with a smart finish by Key with just minutes to go and when the Swans were left vulnerable to a break.
In truth we should have sealed the game well before then – and we fielded a side strong enough to have secured a win – but paid the price for not taking our chances.
Tom Woodward was the pick of our players. Ben Lloyd always looked dangerous on the left side of attack. Bobby Lewis contributed well on his introduction.