Swansea City Under-18s Arsenal Premier League
3rd October
A double save from goalkeeper Lewis Thomas in the final minutes helped Swansea City Under-18s earn a hard-fought point at home to Arsenal in Premier League South on Saturday afternoon.
The young Swans stood-up to the Gunners attack straight from the kick-off as Arsenal looked to score in the first minute - Thomas palming away a cross before defender Mael Davies blocked a shot on the line moments later.
The scholars rallied to attack down the flanks with midfielders Aaron Lewis and Jack Watts linking-up well to break down the Arsenal defence.
The Swans could have taken the lead halfway through the first-half when a through ball from Lewis found Brandon Griffiths, only for the frontman's shot to be saved by the legs of Ryan Huddart in the Arsenal goal.
Both sides continued to look for a way to break the deadlock in the second half as the home defence frustrated Arsenal's attackers.
The young Swans pressed on the counter attack - midfielder Tom Dyson volleyed wide from a corner before substitute Causso Darame rifled a shot just over the bar ten minutes from time.
And the Under-18s defended strongly in the final minutes to keep the score level before a curling shot from Arsenal substitute Eddie Nketiah was tipped round the post by Thomas before the Swans keeper pulled off another fine save moments before the full-time whistle to earn the scholars their first clean sheet of the season.
SWANS U18s: Lewis Thomas (capt), Mael Davies, Joe Lewis, Jack Evans (Conor Quigley, 76), Tom Dyson, Brandon Cooper, Aaron Lewis, Jordan Jones, Brandon Griffiths (Liam Edwards, 60), Jack Watts, Keiran Evans (Causso Darame, 60).
SUBS NOT USED: Alex Lang, Marco Dulca.
