Swansea City Metropolitan Premier Cup South Africa Cape Town
24th March
A late strike from local Cape Town side PPG Langa saw Swansea City Under-19s draw their opening Group G match 1-1 in the Metropolitan Premier Cup on Thursday night.
Striker Jordan Garrick put the Swans ahead halfway through a 30 minute first half with a looping header from inside the area.
Langa saw a shot cleared off the line before Swans keeper Lewis Thomas denied a follow-up.
The young Swans continued to control the second half and could have extended their lead through Tom Dyson and substitute Brandon Griffiths only for their efforts to go wide.
Swansea looked good for the win had it not been for a bizarre final few minutes of the game.
The local side equalised through a questionable indirect free-kick before defender Aaron Lewis was sent off seconds later for complaining to the referee.
Both sides settled for a draw in front of an electric atmosphere at Erica Park, Langa top the group with five points from two games with the Swans third, two points from one game.
Coach Eric Ramsay was pleased with a draw but admitted the team rued missed chances.
"Overall we were very pleased with the performance until the closing stages of the game," he said.
"We controlled a large portion of the match but we are guilty of not taking some good chances we worked hard to create.
"The only negative we encountered was a bizarre final few minutes where a highly questionable free-kick was given against before Aaron Lewis' gesture to indicate he felt it was not a foul has been misinterpreted by the linesman and led to a red card being shown.
"Myself and Chris (Llewellyn) have made it clear to tournament organisers the gesture was not meant to be considered offensive, we feel it is a cultural misunderstanding and we have appealed the decision.
"Despite that negative we are really pleased with how we played, the atmosphere was electric and to play in these surroundings is a fantastic experience for our young players."
SWANS U19s: Lewis Thomas (Capt), Mael Davies, Aaron Lewis, Jack Evans, Joe Rodon, Connor Quigley (Joe Lewis, 39), Causso Darame, Tom Dyson (Jack Watts, 36), Jordan Garrick (Brandon Griffiths, 44), Jordan Jones, Matt Blake
SUBS NOT USED: Ross Treacy (GK)
