Report: Swansea Men’s 3rd topple USW 3rd

by Dan Cope

University of South Wales Men’s 3rd 6 – 1 Swansea University Men’s 3rd

Date: Wednesday 6^th December 2017

Venue: Sport Park, Treforest

USW Men’s 3^rd continued their string of defeats with a 6-1 loss to an impressive Swansea Men’s 3^rd in a physical game. 

Swansea came into the game with the momentum after a 5-0 away win to then league leaders, Bristol, and started the game strongly with high pressure and pace up front that tested the centre back duo of Dan Harries and Jackson Huxley.

However, it was USW who created the first real chance of the game after clever link up play between Jake Ashley and Iolo Ap Dafydd in midfield, Tom Fouracre found space in the box and went down under the challenge from the Swansea defence by the referee waved away his appeal.

USW continued to look dangerous up front with Mikey Wicherek and Raeon Mignott using their pace and energy to force the Swansea backline into mistakes. But it was Swansea who created the most chances after their free-kick forced Danni Jones into producing a tremendous save for his side.

Finally, Swansea broke the deadlock in the 16^th minute, tremendous play down the left flank led to failed challenges by the USW defence and a deflected shot looped over Danni Jones to give Swansea the lead.

USW improved after going 1-0 down and chances for Mael Evans and Tom Fouracre highlighted their resilience and composed passing in midfield. It was this pressure from Mikey Wicherek that caused a horrible error as the Swansea defender’s back pass lobbed the Swansea keeper and found the back of the net to bring the score to 1-1.

The first-half ended in controversy when a long throw from USW defender Dan Harries forced Swansea into a poor clearance which fell to Jake Ashley who smashed the ball home. However, the referee disallowed the goal because the ball had already crossed the line directly from the throw in without any other player touching it, despite the protestations from the USW players.

Swansea scored their second three minutes into the second half.  A Swansea free-kick was whipped into the box and headed out by Jackson Huxley but the Swansea attacker connected well with the ball to strike it into the bottom corner.  They scored their third in the 53^rd minute after the Swansea striker used his power and pace to squeeze the ball pass Danni Jones in the USW goal.

USW fought back when Mikey Wicherek used his speed to break down the right flank and shot was struck wide. Tom Fouracre also had a goal denied by the referee due to being offside. USW were punished for failing to take their chances by Swansea. In the 75^th minute, Jackson Huxley brought down the Swansea winger for a penalty which was coolly slotted home by Swansea for 4-1.

In the last five minutes of the game, USW began to look tired and Swansea took advantage. They made it 5-1 with a 30-yard screamer from the Swansea midfield. The score was made 6-1 in the 90^th minute thanks to poor defending by Mael Evans who was caught out, the Swansea attack broke away and finished calmly passed Danni Jones to send the visitors home happy as USW continue their losing streak.