Young Swans restore some pride in South Wales

Swansea City overcame spirited resistance from 10-man Cardiff City to edge past their neighbours in the Nathaniel MG Cup third round. Their home victory on penalties restored some pride for the Swans after defeat by the Bluebirds in the recent South Wales derby.

Both were wildcard entries for the competition for Cymru Leagues clubs and had entered under 21 squads in the competition.

With the two clubs also facing Championship action on the night of the game, there were some unfamiliar names for the small crowd to learn, though home captain Filip Lissah and Cameron Congreve were names who had been around the Swansea first team sheet.

The visitors also included one or two youngsters who had been on the edge of the first team squad this season, including skipper Joel Colwill, brother of Welsh international Rubin.

With so many Welsh lads on the park, there was no shortage of passion in the early stages, with Kyle Kenniford putting in a shift in midfield for the Bluebirds.

The hosts played with composure but it was the visitors who almost took the lead as Vontae Daley-Campbell fired a low cross across the wet surface but beyond his young teammates.

It was the Swans who went ahead on 24 minutes though, as Maliq Cadogan ran clear to beat Jake Dennis with ease.

Congreve almost doubled the advantage five minutes later but this time Dennis kept out the well struck free kick. Shouts for a penalty next as Swansea really took the game to the visitors.

Colwill almost restored parity as he stretched to poke a cross beyond the post and Sam Parker shot over the visitors’ bar as the half ended.

Things grew worse for the Bluebirds as Kenniford was shown a second yellow card for an untidy lunge on the impressive Kyrell Wilson during added time.

Cardiff showed more purpose after the break but Cadogan almost added to their woe on 54 minutes. What a handful he had been tonight, ably supported by the lively Congreve. Ben Lloyd should have done better than to dink the ball over from close range as the peroxide-haired Congreve continued to illuminate the dark, damp evening.

Cardiff were struggling to come into the game now as the play become one-way traffic. Cian Ashford worked his socks off for the Bluebirds

But with 20 minutes left, the scores were level! Kieron Evans blasting the ball home to spark celebrations from the tiny band of visiting fans.

It was real blood & thunder stuff now, as Ashford curled a strong effort beyond Evan Watts in the Swansea goal. James Crole ran strongly at the visitors’ defence as the 10 men from the Capital battled away.

With no further goals, we faced penalties as Colwill hobbled off.

Watts saved an early kick to give the home side the edge. Ashford kept the visitors in it but Kristian Fletcher sealed victory with the final kick to send the Swans through after an entertaining clash. Swans had scored all of their penalties and probably deserved to edge their way into the next round.

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