by Tom Young
THE University of South Wales came from behind to earn a point on a frustrating evening at Sketty Lane.
There was little to separate the two sides in the early exchanges, Swansea seeing a free kick fly narrowly over the bar whilst a mazy run from Danny Williams drew a comfortable save out of Morgan Pugh in the Swans goal.
The home side took the lead in the 25th minute after some fine work down the right-hand side from their No.9. He cut the ball back to No. 10, his first-time effort from 12 yards cannoned-in off the inside of the post, leaving Ash Morris helpless.
Whilst the Swans enjoyed more of the ball in the latter stages of the first half, they struggled to build on their lead but entered the break a goal to the good.
USW stepped the tempo of the game up a gear in the early stages of the second half and had a great chance to draw level in the 50th minute, striker Louis Gerrard going through on goal, however, his effort was well saved by Pugh. The Swans stopper was in fine form and made another smart save just minutes later, right back Miles John with a clean strike from the edge of the box, but Pugh got down well to his right and palmed the ball away.
USW got a deserved equaliser just after the hour mark. Clayton Green’s initial strike was saved by Pugh but Williams was quickest to react to the loose ball and bundled home from inside the six yard box.
The visitors pushed hard for the winner and thought that they had found it in the 87th minute. Captain Kane Owen got in behind the Swansea defence and finished well. It did not stand though as the linesman ruled the left back to be offside when the ball was played.
The referee’s full-time whistle meant both sides left with a point. It will be seen as two points dropped for Steve Savage’s men as they enter the business end of the season.
