By Leah Bower
USW 2nds dug out a gritty win against Swansea University 2nds, coming from a goal down to prevail 2-1.
Swansea’s Ernest Armoo put the visitors into the lead early on, but strikes from Corey McKeary and Owen Brighton were enough to earn USW the points.
The home side made the stronger start with Andreas Huslet’s shot just wide in the second minute.
Huslet’s cross was then met by McKeary in the 8th minute only for the goal-bound effort to be cleared off the line.
Moments later Armoo put Swansea ahead after a defensive error from the home side allowed him to break through and beat goalkeeper Alfie Tucker.
Swansea might have doubled their lead in the 31st minute as Rhys Morgan blocked USW’s free kick and triggered a counter-attack, with Euan Anderson sending in a cross from the left only for it to be sent over the bar by Rhys Williams.
Got to love the reactions from @GafferBailey @HariboBailey @collett_woody after @OwenBrighton scores the winner!! pic.twitter.com/Aw5ELoJufi
— USW Football 2s (@USWFootball2s) February 1, 2023
USW grabbed an equaliser seven minutes before the interval when McKeary scored from close range after Swansea made a mess of defending a corner.
While the first half ended with tempers flaring between the two teams, the second period began slowly.
But USW gradually wore down their opponents and Brighton fired them ahead in the 68th minute.
USW then defended solidly through Dylan Giblin and Matthew Campbell to deny the visiting side any points in the tie.
USW are now level on points with Swansea in the Aldi Men’s Western Tier 3B, but the Swansea still have five games left to play this season compared to USW’s two.