Swansea City Under-18s Manchester United Premier League play off

4th March

A last-gasp strike from defender Dan Jefferies earned Swansea City Under-18s a draw against Manchester United in their Premier League play-off at Landore on Friday.
The young Swans started the game brightly and could have taken the lead after five minutes only for United's keeper Oliver Byrne to save Aaron Lewis' powerful 25-yard free-kick.
The scholars tested United's keeper soon after when Lewis was put through on goal only to see his effort saved, before Jordan Garrick followed up only to see his shot kept out by Byrne.
Despite the strong start, it was United who took the lead after 15 minutes when DJ Buffonge's through ball found Tosin Kehinde in the box, and he chipped keeper Lewis Thomas.
Matters got worse for the hosts, with United doubling their lead two minutes later when Zack Dearnley raced away from the defence to slot into the bottom corner.
Swansea pulled a goal back after 24 minutes through Garrick, who took advantage of a defensive mix up before slotting home.
Liam Edwards went close just before the break only to see his rifled effort blocked by the legs of a United defender.

HALF TIME: Swans U18s 1 Manchester United U18s 2



Manchester United looked to extend their lead in the second half, but defender Jake Kenyon flashed a dangerous ball across the box five minutes after the restart.
Thomas then kept out a good strike from Dearnley to prevent United from extending their lead, and that proved crucial as the Swans were level with nine minutes to go.
After Byrne punched out a corner, Garrick took the initiative and fired home an equaliser.
The end-to-end action continued, and it took an incredible acrobatic save from Thomas minutes later to deny the visitors from regaining the lead.
But United did take the lead soon after as substitute Aiden Barlow powered home from close range.
Swansea, however, did not give up and they sensationally equalised again in the 89th minute. After Garrick's header from a corner forced a save from Byrne, Daniel Jefferies stabbed home from close range.
Garrick could have earned the Swans all three points in stoppage time when the striker was put through on goal, only for the youngster to shoot narrowly wide of the post.

SWANS U18s: Lewis Thomas (capt), Mael Davies, Aaron Lewis, Jack Evans, Ben Cabango, Dan Jefferies, Liam Edwards (Jack Watts, 53), Liam Cullen, Jordan Garrick, Keiran Evans (Jordan Jones, 70) Matthew Blake (Causso Darame, 76)
SUBS NOT USED: Ross Treacy, Brandon Griffiths.

MAN UTD U18s: Oliver Byrne, Tyler Reid, Jake Kenyon, Tyrell Warren, James Dunne, Charlie Scott, Callum Gribbin, Callum Whelan (Angel Gomes, 60), Zack Dearnley (Kayne Roberts, 76), Darren Buffonge (Aiden Barlow, 60), Tosin Kehinde.
SUBS NOT USED: Llias Moutha-Sebtaoui, George Tanner.