Swansea University 2-2 Risca United: Nathan Townsend brace salvages point for Students
Swansea, WALES - 11 December, 2021: Nathan Jones of Llantwit Major in action against Nathan Townsend of Swansea University. Swansea University v Llantwit Major in the JD Cymru South at Sketty Lane on the 11th December 2021. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
Swansea University claimed a point as they battled back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Risca United at Sketty Lane in the Cymru South.
Leon Thomas and Ryan Wheeler had given the visitors a half-hour 2-0 lead but Nathan Townsend scored in both halves to get the Students back in the game.
The first chance of the evening came from the hosts. It came from a cross from the right-hand side, the Risca keeper came for the ball but completely missed it, the resulting header from John Roberts just went wide of the post.
The Cuckoo’s then grew themselves back into the game, minutes later there was a tackle by Huddart on the Risca midfielder. From the free kick shortly after, a long-punted ball was pumped into the box, but it couldn’t get a touch of a Risca player, and the ball went out of play, but it was a very good chance for Risca, and they seemed to be getting more confident.
That confidence led to a goal 3 minutes later, there was a cracking ball in from the left-hand side and it it was put in a perfect area and top goal Scorer Leon Thomas couldn’t miss from 4 yards and he secured his sixth league goal of the season.
Moments later, the hosts had a massive chance to get back into the game, they had a free kick, it was delivered in from Elliot Jones, the ball was not cleared, and it fell to Adam Orme, but his shot went wide.
On the 28th minute, Risca doubled their lead with lovely play. It was a fantastic ball across the box, and it was neatly tapped in from Ryan Wheeler.
6 minutes later however the hosts got themselves back into the game, the ball was crossed in by Wyn Thomas, it was cleared out, but it was picked up by Nathan Townsend he put the ball back into the area, but it looped over the keeper’s head and into the net. And the game was now back on.
Risca seen off the onslaught and headed into the break 2-1 up but it was going to be a very interesting second half on a cold night in Swansea.
The hosts started the second half the much better side, there was a foul on Osorio who got subbed on at half time, from the resulting free kick it was floated in from Adam Orme whose ball found Harry Huddart at the back post, but the keeper came to gather it.
11 minutes into the second half, the students found themselves level. They had a corner, but it was cleared by the visitors, Nathan Townsend grabbed the ball just outside the area, he wasn’t pressured enough and had time to look up and hit a fantastic shot into the top corner and bought the host’s level.
Risca then had a massive chance, the hosts had a corner, it was cleared out and it broke to Lewis Ellis who just come off the bench he crossed the ball and it fell to a Risca player but it was a fantastic save by Luke Martin it then fell to Camden Duncan from 5 yards out but somehow it headed it wide and that was a massive chance for the visitors and the game was still level somehow.
Uni then bombarded the Risca goal but couldn’t find a way to score but Risca had a few counter attacks but neither side could find the winner and the scores even come full time Swansea University: Luke Martin (GK), Elliot Jones, Wyn Thomas, Adam Orme (C), Tim Hicks (George Sellick 68’), John Roberts (Ryan Jones 90’), Jordan Hughes, Nathan Townsend (Jack Jones 78’), Harry Huddart, Will Hudson, Jack Rosser (Bruno Osorio 46’).
Substitutions not used: Ben Edwards.
Goals: Nathan Townsend 34’, 56’.
Risca United: Joseph Massaro (GK) (C), Callum Porter, Daniel Spencer (Lewis Ellis 64’), Connor Hanford, Callum Hodges, Thomas Gameson (Sam Palmer 70’), Ryan Wheeler, Morgan Stead (Harvey Selway 64’), Matthew Thomas (Sean Feeley 73’), Camden Duncan, Leon Thomas (Ethan Edwards 64’).
Goals: Leon Thomas 14’, Ryan Wheeler 28’.
