Report | Swansea City U21s 2 Cardiff City U21s 2

Josh Thomas netted a late equaliser as Swansea City Under-21s secured a point in their south Wales derby against Cardiff City at Landore on Monday evening.

The Swans had led the Professional Development League fixture thanks to Liam Walsh’s header, but second-half goals from Morgan Wigley and Gavin Whyte gave the visitors the lead.

But Thomas made no mistake when handed the chance to level 10 minutes from time as the spoils were shared.

The Swans had given Walsh more minutes in his return from an Achilles injury, while new signing Liam Smith was handed a debut following his arrival from Manchester City.

Meanwhile, the trio of Ben Lloyd, Thomas and Ruben Davies returned to the matchday squad after being sidelined with injury.  

There were some encouraging signs from the Swans early on, Lincoln Mcfayden having some joy down the left as he picked out Cameron Congreve in the middle, but the midfielder sent his strike wide of the target.

Joe Thomas – fresh from having his contract extended until the summer of 2024 – then got away down the centre from a Kai Ludvigsen pass, before finding Smith in support. However, his delivery just evaded the Swans’ attackers in the area.

But Swansea were soon rewarded for a bright start as Congreve started a move that ended with Walsh nodding home an excellent cross from Smith.  

The visitors had barely threatened but they forced defender Ludvigsen into an important intervention just moments later as he cleared Whyte’s attempt on goal.  

But the chances were all going Swansea’s way. Davies and McFayden linked well but the former was denied by the Cardiff keeper, while the latter saw another effort blocked by Cardiff defender Xavier Benjamin.

Swansea pressed again, Jake Dennis in the Cardiff goal denying McFayden twice in quick succession, with the first a top-quality fingertip stop to keep out a strike from distance.

The Swans were then forced into a substitution just before the break, as Ludvigsen was replaced by Ben Blythe after taking a knock, but the home side retained the lead at the interval.

The Swans started on the front foot following the restart, barely letting the Bluebirds enter their half. Meanwhile, McFayden and Kian Jenkins continued to threaten the Cardiff defence. 

Fresh legs were introduced through Lloyd and Josh Thomas, and they made an immediate impact as Lloyd sent Thomas through on goal after advancing down the left, but the striker couldn't quite finish the move. 

Cardiff began to press men forward heading into the final 20 minutes and Wigley sent a drive just wide of the post after a purposeful run.

And the forward would make no mistake moments later when a Swans attack broke down and the visitors broke for Wigley to fire a low shot beyond Ben Hughes.

The equaliser had sparked renewed energy in the visitors and they capitalised by taking the lead when Whyte sent a low free-kick through the wall and into the bottom corner to give Cardiff the lead.

But the Swans fought back and secured a draw when Thomas flicked the ball home from close range.

Swansea City Under-21s: Ben Hughes, Joe Thomas, Kian Jenkins, Liam Walsh (Sam Leverett 46'), Azeem Abdulai, Kai Ludvigsen (Ben Blythe 43’), Liam Smith, Cameron Congreve, Ruben Davies (Josh Thomas 61'), Joel Cotterill (captain), Lincoln McFayden. 

Unused subs: Remy Mitchell. 

Cardiff City Under-21s: Jake Dennis, Vontae Campbell, Joel Bagan, Aidan Macnamara (Isaac Jefferies 46'), Xavier Benjamin, Cameron Antwi, Will Spiers (Jai Semenyo 49'), Owen Pritchard (Lewys Ware 46'), Chanka Zimba, Gavin Whyte, Rubin Colwill (Morgan Wigley 57'). 

Unused subs: Joe Thomas.