Swansea City Under-18s West Ham Premier League South
24th October
A dramatic goal in the last minute from substitute Sean Hanbury rescued a point for Swansea City Under-18s against West Ham at Landore on Saturday.
The young scholars side started brightly breaking the deadlock after just four minutes when a cross from Causso Darame found midfielder Jack Watts in the area, his shot well saved by Hammers goalkeeper Tim Brown before striker Brandon Griffiths rifled home from close range.
The Swans continued to press to double their lead in the first-half, but chances from Aaron Lewis, Brandon Griffiths and Jack Evans failed to find the net.
At the other end brave goalkeeping from Lewis Thomas kept out a strong West Ham attack saving well from Alfie Lewis and Ldris Kanu.
The visitors' persistence paid off five minutes before the break when Alfie Lewis headed home a cross at the far post to level the score at half-time.
HALF-TIME: Swans U18s 1 - 1 West Ham U18s
Swansea were forced to change their keeper at the break, 15-year-old Alex Lang replaced Lewis Thomas after the captain took a knock toward the end of the first-half.
West Ham capitalised on the switch at the back and took the lead three minutes into the restart when midfielder Joe Powell headed home a free-kick from close range.
The Swans rallied to fight back and could have equalised minutes later when good link-up play found full-back Conor Quigley break into the box only for his shot to be saved by the Hammers keeper.
The scholars' defence - which included U16 player Ben Cabango - defended gallantly as West Ham continued to search for third, Joe Rodon diving header blocking a powerful shot on 68 minutes, Alex Lang also punching clear a whipped in corner.
The U18s assault down the flanks continued as Aaron Lewis and Causso Darame fired dangerous crosses into the box.
Substitute Sean Hanbury could have levelled on 90 minutes as the striker beat hit man outside the area only for his shot to be saved by Tim Brown.
And despite that chance going begging Hanbury was on hand minutes later to latch onto the end of a Tom Dyson cross to turn in the box and fire into the roof of the net to secure a 2-2 draw at Landore.
The result is the U18s third draw of the season in Barclays Premier League South.
SWANS U18s: Lewis Thomas (capt) (Alex Lang, 45), Mael Davies, Conor Quigley, Jack Evans, Joe Rodon, Ben Cabango (Mason Jones-Thomas, 77), Aaron Lewis, Tom Dyson, Brandon Griffiths (Sean Hanbury, 85), Jack Watts, Causso Darame
SUBS NOTN USED: Cameron Berry, Tom Price
