Briton Ferry Llansawel 3-0 Swansea University: Reds inflict losing start on Champions
Briton Ferry Llansawel 3-0 Swansea University in the Cymru South at Old Road on the 23rd July 2021. Credit: Geraint Nicholas /YCPD
Briton Ferry Llansawel inflicted a heavy 3-0 opening day defeat onto defending champions Swansea University at Old Road.
Corey Hurford both assisted and scored both goals in the first half to give the Reds a valuable lead.
Luke Bowen opened his account by scoring from a penalty to ensure an emphatic victory for Carl Shaw’s side.
Swansea had the first real chance of the game as a fast-paced attack saw a header go straight at the goalkeeper.
The Students were trying to move the ball out and from the back, a loose header at the back gave Liam McCreesh a chance but his shot was wide, it did, however, offer a warning sign to Swansea to not overcomplicate things.
They started to take more control of the game by utilising wideman Bruno Osario on both flanks, causing some issues for the home defence. His cross from the byline found Tom Johnstone but his shot was blazed over.
More chances came as Will Toms turned well inside the area for Swansea creating a piece of space but as he teed himself up for the shot, Sam Baker made a telling tackle.
For all their attacking intent, Briton Ferry struck at the right time, scoring on the half-hour mark. Corey Hurford curled a shot into the far corner to provide the Ferry with something to hold on to.
A foul from Alex Gammond outside the box gave Swansea a chance to get back on level terms. Adam Orme’s free-kick went just over bar hough. The pressure kept mounting as Baker was forced to clear off the line to preserve Hurford’s opener.
Ferry’s second goal came on the stroke of half-time. Hurford went from scorer to provider as his fine pass found Stephen Davey and the Reds man placed his shot past the advancing Luke Martin.
Swansea started the second half like they did the first and went close early on. Some good passing play found Dan Sheehan free on the right he played the ball across the box but Baker was able to clear.
There were calls for a penalty for handball as Swansea tried every way to get a goal back. Dan Sheehan’s shot had went wide but moments before, a cross came into the box and the green-shirted players surrounded the referee to make their plea.
Swansea continued to look for a way back into the match and put cross after cross into the Briton Ferry box. The home side able to deal with everything Swansea threw at them. Osario forced a decent stop from McFenton after breaking down the inside and shooting.
The game was then firmly in control of Briton Ferry as they earned a penalty. Liam McCreesh was fouled and there was Bowen to step forward to score his first league goal for his new club since moving from Carmarthen Town.
Briton Ferry: Conah McFenton (G), Sam Baker, Warren Hudson, Rory Healy (C), Alex Gammond, Luke Harris, Liam McCreesh, Keiran Williams, Stephan Davey, Luke Bowen (Gareth Bowen 86), Corey Hurford.
Goals: Corey Hurford 29, Stephan Davey 45, Luke Bowen Pen 78.
Yellow Cards: Keiran Williams 55, Rory Healy 65, Warren Hudson 80, Gareth Jones 90+1, Declan Evans 90+3
Swansea University: Luke Martin (G), Dan Sheehan (Jordan Hughes 76). Elliot Jones, Wyn Thomas, Adam Orme (C), Tom Johnstone, Will Toms (Lewis Davies 51), Cam Langan, Nathan Townsend (Jack Jones 67), Harry Huddart, Bruno Osario.
Yellow Cards: Wyn Thomas 77, Bruno Osario 79,
