Second half come back from Swansea knocks Rovers Under 18’s out of the FA Youth Cup.
Swansea- 2 (Thomas- 59’, Jones- 66’)Rovers- 1 (Mandeville- 37’)
Wednesday 21st January, 2015
Stebonheath Park, Llanelli
FA Youth Cup, Round 4
Having defeated Norwich City in the third round, Rovers under 18’s faced a tough test against Premier League team Swansea who had recently been on an eight match winning streak.
It looked as though the Welsh side would take the lead just one minute in as Kyle Copp delivered a great free kick into the area. Joe Roden got up to head the ball but saw his effort go narrowly past Jack McLaren’s left post.
Rovers settled and the first 20 minutes saw an even game with possession from both sides.
Swansea put pressure on Paul Stancliffe’s side and McLaren was tested when Stephen Fallon had a free header in the area, but the winger couldn’t find the corner and his effort was straight at the Rovers 'keeper.
Fallon was in the thick of the action again as his cross found Dan James in the area but again his shot was straight at McLaren.
On 37 minutes Rovers took the lead. Matty Davies delivered a great free kick into the area and Liam Mandeville rose above everyone to head the ball past Lewis Thomas.
The home side looked to hit straight back and should have equalised when James put a cross on a plate for Jones, whose first time shot from twelve yards was straight at McLaren.
Half Time Score: Swansea 0-1 Rovers
The Premier League side came out a different team in the second half as they looked to find a way back into the game.
Early pressure was put on Rovers straight away as Owain Jones found himself through on goal after dispossessing the Rovers defence. His shot was heading for the top corner and required a fingertip save from McLaren.
Swansea looked dangerous on the break with pace upfront and James forced a great save from an alert McLaren when he burst into the area before shooting from twelve yards.
On the hour mark the home side drew level through Dylan Thomas. After putting pressure on the Rovers defence the ball fell to Thomas on the edge of the area, his curled shot took a slight deflection and found the top corner.
Six minutes later they took the lead through Owain Jones. A great run from the striker saw him cut inside before releasing a shot into the bottom corner leaving McLaren with no chance.
James almost doubled his tally when he skipped past defenders and shot from range, but his effort went just over the bar.
Rovers searched for an equaliser and it almost came with five minutes to go when Michael Carberry’s ball fell to an unmarked Ben Greasley in the penalty area. Desperately trying to get his shot away and after a scramble in the box, Swansea cleared their lines and denied Rovers.
In injury time Carberry thought he’d sent the sides into extra time as he got on the end of a perfect Paul McKay cross, only to see his header cannon back off the post.
Despite late pressure the home side held on and the referee blew for full time after three minutes of stoppage play and a great effort from Rovers youngsters.
Team Lineups-
Swansea U18’s: L.Thomas, Lewis, Owens, Latham (Maric- 45’), Davies (c) (Gilchrist- 89’), Rodon, Fallon, D.Thomas, O.Jones (Cullen- 78’), Copp, James.
Subs not used: Dyson, Sherman
Cautions: Dan James
Rovers U18’s: McLaren, Greasley, Carberry, Head, P.McKay (c), Mbuti, Davies, J.McKay, Mandeville, Gordon (McCormick- 67’), Linley.
Subs not used: Iveson, Wanless, Barker, Parkin
Attendance- 312