Report | Swansea City U18s 1 Millwall U18s 1
Swansea City Under-18s extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to six matches after a 1-1 draw with Millwall at the Joma High Performance Centre.
A second-half strike from Lukas Murphy put the Swans in front, but a penalty in added time from Ralphie Beckwith ensured the Lions returned to London with a share of the points.
It was a much-changed side from the team that featured on Monday, with 11 alterations made to the starting XI that claimed victory over Leeds United in the FA Youth Cup.
Jon Beale’s side created several opportunities in the first half but were denied by a series of excellent saves from goalkeeper Justin Ndikum.
Swansea were again the stronger side after the break and deservedly took the lead, before seeing the game out well until the late penalty decision - one that appeared harsh on the hosts.
The Swans started brightly and almost took the lead inside three minutes as a delivery into the area was met by Harvey Gray, but his close-range effort was superbly tipped over by goalkeeper Ndikum.
Jakub Nowak was called into action soon after, as William Okine drove into the area and fired a low effort at goal, but the Swans keeper reacted well to save with his outstretched leg and clear the danger.
Swansea enjoyed long spells of possession, though the visitors remained a threat from set pieces due to their height. They went close when a corner from William Wright was met by Harvey Whiteman, whose poke towards goal struck the right-hand post before being cleared by the Swans defence.
The best chance of the half arrived on the half-hour mark for Swansea following some neat build-up play. Gray found space to square the ball across the six-yard box to Elis Thomas, but his powerful strike was once again superbly saved by Ndikum, who got down well to his right to parry the effort away for a corner.
From the resulting set piece, the second phase fell to Alffi Hughes, but his volley flew wide as the Swans began to gain a foothold in the contest.
In the closing moments of the first half, Alex Godfrey — who had been a constant threat down the right — beat his man before slipping Gray through on goal. However, Ndikum reacted quickly to rush off his line and smother the chance, capping an impressive first-half display from the goalkeeper.
The Swans started the second half brightly but were once again denied by a fine save from the Lions goalkeeper. Gray’s initial effort deflected into the path of Bobby Lewis, whose half-volley from 12 yards was well saved by Ndikum with a sharp reaction stop.
Godfrey continued to cause problems down the right flank, delivering a superb pass into the feet of Murphy, but Millwall defender Aaron Adeniji managed to get a crucial touch on the ball to deny the Swans forward a sight of goal.
Swansea finally found a breakthrough just past the hour mark. Godfrey again was the architect down the right, picking out Lewis, who squared the ball across the box for Murphy to finish confidently past Ndikum and open the scoring.
The Swans looked to manage the game after taking the lead, but Nowak was called into action late on, producing an excellent save to deny substitute Ayman Sheikh.
However, late heartbreak followed as referee Jake Wooley awarded Millwall a penalty for an alleged push in the area following a corner - a decision that appeared harsh. Beckwith stepped up and sent Nowak the wrong way to earn the visitors a share of the points.
Swansea City Under-18s: Jakub Nowak Alex Godfrey, Jack May(Ben Phillips 60’), Alffi Highes, Archie Quick, Kaven Bloniarczyk, Harvey Gray(Solomon Baker 78’), Bobo Evans ©, Lukas Murphy(Ioan Johnston 86’), Bobby Lewis, Elis Thomas(Wahab Ojetoro 60’).
Substitutes not used: Tom Wright.
Millwall Under-18s: Justin Ndikum, Aaron Adeniji, Louis Rogers, Jayden Tektas(George Debell 71’), Harvey Whiteman, Lyndon Snelgrove ©, Edward Payton, Tristan Hamann-Chanes(Tyrese Ndige 71’), William Okine(Ayman Sheikh 60’), William Wright(Regan Anderson 60’), Ralphie Beckwith.
Substitutes not used: Casper Linder.