Report | Swansea City U21s 1 Cardiff City U21s 1
Swansea City Under-21s extended their unbeaten run at the Swansea.com Stadium, after a 1-1 draw with Cardiff City in the Professional Development League.
A Dan Watts free kick gave the Swans the lead, but Jake Davies equalised for the visitors just six minutes later in a contest that produced chances for both sides throughout.
Anthony Wright’s side grew into the game as the first half progressed, with Tom Woodward proving a constant threat. The forward forced several saves from Cardiff goalkeeper Daniel Higgs and also struck the post late in the half.
The Swans delivered an improved display after the break, with substitute Aimar Govea making his first home appearance since returning from his loan spell at Girona and providing a threat down the flanks. Swansea were rewarded for their pressure when Watts found the net from a free kick to give the hosts the lead.
Cardiff responded quickly though, with Davies finding the equaliser minutes later, and despite opportunities for both teams to claim a winner, the points were ultimately shared in SA1.
The draw means Swansea’s age-grade side have now gone almost four years unbeaten at the Swansea.com Stadium, with the run stretching back to the 2021-22 season.
The Swans started brightly, but it was the visitors who carved out the first chance. Rob Tankiewicz won the ball high in midfield before laying it off to Jack Sykes, who drove into the area and struck at goal, but his effort was immediately blocked by Swansea defender Isaac Jones for a corner.
Josh Pescatore registered the first effort on target for the Swans with a free kick from the edge of the box, but his attempt was comfortably gathered by Daniel Higgs.
Jake Davies went close for the Bluebirds prior to the 30 minute mark when Jac Thomas delivered a low ball into the winger, but his first-time effort, which looked destined for goal, was crucially cleared by Blair McKenzie.
Swansea continued to deal with sustained pressure from the visitors, with Jones producing another vital block to deny Trey George after the forward weaved past a couple of challenges before striking towards goal.
The Swans threatened again in the closing stages of the half when Woodward met a Pescatore corner with a header, but his effort was straight at Higgs.
There was also a late shout for a penalty for Swansea as Woodward attempted to drive past two Bluebirds defenders before going to ground, but the referee deemed it a coming together and waved play on.
Woodward continued to cause problems just before the break, driving in from the left before cutting onto his right foot and curling an effort towards goal. The shot narrowly evaded the target and struck the far post before going out for a goal kick.
Substitute Govea looked to make an instant impact after the restart when the second phase of a corner fell to the winger, but his effort flew well over the bar.
Cardiff then had a big opportunity of their own soon after. A delivery from Trey George found Mannie Barton on the left, but the winger, with time to compose himself, fired his effort well over the crossbar.
As the game began to open up, Woodward continued to keep Higgs busy, seeing a close-range effort from the right-hand side pushed past the post by the Cardiff goalkeeper.
From the resulting corner, Govea swung in another dangerous delivery. The initial clearance from the Bluebirds defence fell kindly to Yori Griffith, but his first-time half-volley was straight at Higgs.
Momentum soon swung in Swansea’s favour as Pescatore delivered a teasing cross to the back post that looped over Higgs, but Morgan Bates was unable to get the crucial touch to guide the ball on target.
The Swans eventually found a deserved breakthrough through captain Watts. The midfielder struck a pinpoint free kick from 20 yards that beat Higgs, clipped the inside of the left-hand post and rolled into the net.
Cardiff responded quickly, however, with Davies racing onto a long ball before finishing into the bottom corner past Joe Collins to restore parity.
Watts tried his luck from another set piece with 20 minutes remaining, this time from around 30 yards, but his effort sailed over the wall and straight into the hands of Higgs.
Swansea continued to push for a winner in the closing stages. Pescatore struck a half-volley from the right-hand side of the area, but Higgs produced a fine diving save to deny him.
There was also a late chance in added time when a partial clearance from a Jack Kingdon cross fell kindly to Caleb Demery, but the forward was unable to keep his effort down as it flew over the bar.
Swansea City Under-21s: Joe Collins, Carter Heywood, Caio Ifans(Sam Parker 61'), Harlan Perry(Aimar Govea 46'), Blair McKenzie, Iestyn Jones, Josh Pescatore, Dan Watts (C), Morgan Bates, Yori Griffith(Caleb Demery 78'), Tom Woodward.
Substitutes not used: Tom Wright, Milo Robinson
Cardiff City Under-21s: Daniel Higgs, Charlie O'Brien(Gabriel Keita 87'), Jac Thomas, Cody Twose, Jack Kingdon (C), Alyas Debono, Jake Davies, Rob Tankiewicz, Jack Sykes(Joshua Beecher 2'), Trey George, Mannie Barton(Harry Watts 87').
Substitutes not used: Samuel Jones, Caden Voice