MATCH REPORT: Swans U21s 2 Sheffield United U21s 2
22nd September
Ryan Hedges came off the bench to earn a point for the Swans Under-21s in a 2-2 draw against Sheffield United at Landore.
United took the lead through Diego de Girolamo's fine finish but the home side levelled when Henry Jones converted Modou Barrow's low cross.
The visitors restored their lead before the break thanks to Julian Banton, but the Swans finished strongly and claimed a point thanks to Hedges' fine finish from 20 yards.
SWANS U21s: Oliver Davies, Liam Shephard, Stephen Kingsley (Raheem Hanley, 65), Scott Tancock (capt), Giancarlo Gallifuoco, Adam King, Henry Jones, Josh Sheehan, Kenji Gorre (James Loveridge, 62), Modou Barrow, Alex Samuel (Ryan Hedges, 85)
SUBS NOT USED: Gregor Zabret, Alex Gogic.
SHEFF UTD U21s: George Willis, Jason Paling, Kyle Scarisbrick, Connor Dimaio, Julian Banton, Sam Berry (capt), Otis Khan, Ben Whiteman, Jamie McDonagh, Diego de Girolamo, Joel Constraini (CJ Hamilton, 72).
SUBS NOT USED: Jake Eastwood, Ioan Evans, Daniel Cockerline.
The Swans started brightly and created a great chance within five minutes.
Following a wonderful crossfield pass from Josh Sheehan that found Liam Shephard in space, his cross was met by Adam King but his effort flew over the bar.
Henry Jones then saw a free kick fly a couple of yards wide of goal before the visitors took the lead against the run of play.
After a swift counter attack from the Blades and a good run and cross from the right, Diego de Girolamo coolly lobbed the ball over the advancing Oliver Davies into an empty net.
However, the lead lasted just four minutes as the hosts responded well.
Following a fine piece of skill from Modou Barrow down the right flank, the winger pulled the ball back for Henry Jones who rifled home from six yards out.
United's goal scorer de Girolamo then twice went close - his first effort drifting wide of the far post before Davies had to be at his best to tip a curling effort past the right-hand upright.
And it was the visitors who went into the break ahead as Ben Whiteman's inswinging free kick from the left was steered home by Julian Banton from six yards out.
Half-time: Swans U21s 1 Sheffield United U21s 2
The visitors started the second half on the front and twice went close early on through Joel Costraini.
First the winger got into the box and saw his low shot shave the far post before he raced in on goal ten minutes later before clipping an effort over the crossbar.
The home side made a change on 64 minutes as James Loveridge replaced Kenji Gorre on the left flank, while Stephen Kingsley took a slight knock and Raheem Hanley was introduced.
Alex Samuel did his best to galvanise the hosts as his strong run resulted in a shooting opportunity, but his effort flew wide of goal.
The striker was then replaced by Ryan Hedges with five minutes to play, and it turned out to be an inspired change as Hedges grabbed the equaliser.
Within a minute of coming on, Henry Jones beat two players before finding the striker on the edge of the box and he planted a firm shot past the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.
And the hosts nearly won it in the final minute as Hedges saw his goal bound shot cleared off the line as the Swans finished strongly.
