Match Review: Cambrian and Clydach 0 Swansea City 0 (0-2 AET)
Ten-man Swansea City claimed their eighth consecutive FAW Youth Cup title with an intriguing extra-time win over Cambrian and Clydach Vale at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Causso Darame netted one minute into added time, capitalising on a poor clearance by Cambrian goalkeeper Morgan Davies, before substitute Liam Edwards popped up to seal the win against his old club.
Cameron Keetch came closest for Vale after cannoning an effort off the crossbar early in the second half, and the stage seemed set for an upset when Swansea’s Tom Price was shown a second yellow card.
Carn Thomas should have won it for Cambrian in normal time, but could only divert his 94th-minute header straight at Lewis Thomas.
The result seals a 17th FAW Youth Cup title for the Swans, who claim the trophy this time around having not conceded a single goal.
In contrast, Cambrian manager Lawrence Badman will be delighted by the application shown by his side, who will now turn their attentions to the Welsh Premier Development League Grand Final clash with Bangor City next month.
The RCT outfit were forced to weather an early storm, with Oli Cooper and Darame both going close inside five minutes.
The latter was denied again when Davies got down well to keep out a thunderous low drive, as the Swansea onslaught continued.
A neat one-two with Keiran Evans then allowed Matty Blake to maraud down the left and fire a rasping effort just over the bar shortly before the interval.
A City opener looked inevitable, but they were given an almighty scare when Keetch rattled the bar with a dipping 25-yard strike shortly after the break.
Swansea’s hopes took another unexpected hit on 68 minutes when Price was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Elijah Chilekwa, with Keetch nearly making Cambrian’s numerical advantage count four minutes later by sending a half-volley just wide.
Cambrian should have won it at the death when Thomas got up to meet a teasing corner, only to divert his free header at the keeper.
That miss proved costly, as Cambrian lost their composure during a disastrous extra-time period.
A poor clearance from keeper Davies one minute after the restart was seized on by Darame, who drove home into an empty net from 30 yards.
Substitute Marco Dulca then fired wide following a bizarre defensive mix-up as Swansea searched for a second, which duly arrived in the 113th minute as Edwards skipped past several defenders before applying a cool finish to wrap it up.
Man of the Match: Causso Darame (Swansea City): Was the scourge of Cambrian all afternoon, although he enjoyed a hefty slice of luck for his otherwise deserved extra-time goal.
