Reserves draw with Bristol City
By David Rees at the GenQuip Stadium
A young Swansea City second string side put in a fine performance against Bristol City but were held to a goalless draw against the Robins at Port Talbot.
It was the first point picked up by Colin Pascoe's side in Group A of the totesportcasino.com Combination Cup, a match watched by the Swans' management duo of Roberto Martinez and Graeme Jones as well as Wales Under-21 coaches Brian Flynn and Alan Curtis.
On loan goalkeeper Artur Krysiak and full-back Matty Collins were the only senior pro's in the starting eleven as wholesale changes were made to the starting eleven that triumphed against Swindon seven days earlier.
The likes of Alan Tate, Albert Serran, Fede Bessone, Kristian O'Leary, Andrea Orlandi and Chad Bond were not in action as they were replaced by a mixture of first and second-year scholars. Young QPR trialist Josh Ford was also given 90 minutes in a Swansea City shirt and was just one of the 13 youngsters that impressed on the night.
It was the home side who started the brighter and with 16 minutes gone, Casey Thomas was clean through on goal only to fire wide of the target. Shortly afterwards, quick thinking by Lee Lucas from a set-piece led to Keiran Howard's angled shot saved impressively by opposition 'keeper, Stephen Henderson.
Bristol City retaliated late in the first-half with a dangerous cross from winger Rob Stambolziev, but striker Mark McGee saw his header float marginally wide of the far post on 34 minutes. As the first period drew to a close, it was the Swans who created the best chance of the half with Keiran Howard the recipient of a delightful pass lofted over the Robins' defence.
The Wales U-19 international struggled to control the ball and saw his shot blocked by several Bristol City defenders desperately scrambling back towards their own goal.
On loan stopper Artur Krysiak was in action early in the second-half as he smothered the ball in his area to deny the menacing opposition strike-force.
The promising midfield trio of Ben Adelsbury, Jazz Richards and Keiran Howard cut through the City defence with a neat passing move later in the half but the latter's shot was confidently blocked by Republic of Ireland U-21 'keeper Henderson.
Josh Ford, the young starlet on trial from QPR, rounded off an impressive performance by Swansea City's young scholars with the final chance of the game. The central defender found himself free in the area with 10 minutes remaining but he could only head over the top of goal.
Wright was replaced in attack by Joe Harris but both sides were unable to capitalise on their late chances to secure their first victory in the Combination Cup.
Swans: Artur Krysiak, Matty Collins (C) (Daniel Sheehan, 46'), Josh Ford, Daniel Alfei, Joe Walsh, Lee Lucas, Ben Adelsbury, Jazz Richards, Keiran Howard, Casey Thomas, Matthew Wright (Joe Harris, 77').
Not Used: Rhys Wilson (GK), Adam Orme.
Bristol City: Stephen Henderson, Darren Hennessey, Chris Williams, Luke Wilkinson (C), George Boon, Joe McLennen (Nathan Livings, 66'), Ashley Kington (Joe Lennox, 89'), Joe Edwards, Rob Stamboliev, Marlon Jackson, Mark McGee.
Not Used: Tom Bradley (GK), Harry Robbins, Jack Neagle.
Referee: Kevin Morgan (Cardiff)
