Swansea City managed to beat fierce rivals Cardiff on penalties in the Nathaniel MG Cup third round maintaining their unbeaten season.
Swansea took the lead on the 25th minute thanks to a composed finish from forward Maliq Cadogan. The Bluebirds found themselves down to 10 men after midfielder Kyle Kenniford was shown a red card just before halftime for a second bookable offence.
The away side found a leveller in the 71st minute after some great work from James Crole to create the chance setting up Kieron Evans to smash home from 10 yards. Neither side could manage to find a winner in the 90 minutes as the game was settled on penalties. Swansea substitute Kristian Fletcher stepped up to take the decisive spot kick to send Swansea through to the next round of the cup.
Both sides started nervously giving away some easy possession and forcing passes. The first shot of the game came on the eighth minute from Swansea full-back Sam Parker as both sides looked to maintain control early. Swansea started to gain control of the ball but were wasteful going forward and despite getting a few crosses into the box they failed to get a clear strike on goal.
But the young Bluebirds began to gain more confidence. Kieron Evans picked up the ball just inside his own half before dancing towards the Swans box. He played a ball down the right side towards Vontae Daley-Campbell who’s cross fizzed across the box before being stabbed wide for a corner kick.
But the first goal of the game fell the way of the home side. Ben Lloyd picked up the ball running towards the Bluebirds box before playing through winger Cadogan. He confidently lifted the ball over the keeper to give The Swans the lead on the 23rd minute.
Swansea come close to a second just five minutes later as they had a free kick just outside the area. Cameron Congreve’s low fizzing strike was well tipped wide by Bluebirds keeper Jake Dennis though. Bluebirds midfielder Kyle Kenniford picking up a yellow for the challenge that resulted in the free kick.
Cardiff looked to get themselves back into the game and they come close to an equalizer on the 39th minute. James Crole done well to work a cross down the right-hand side. He found Cian Ashford in the box but he flicked the ball wide on the stretch.
The game continued to flow both ways. Swansea worked a corner brilliantly to find Sam Parker all alone 10 yards out. He struck the ball first time but fired over the crossbar.
Just before half time things started getting worse for the away side. Midfielder Kenniford picked up a second yellow for a mistimed challenge that seen the Bluebirds down to 10 men just before both sides went in for the break.
Cardiff kicked off the second half as they looked to somehow turn the tie around. The first chance of the half fell to Joel Colwill. He managed to force his way in to the area but his weak effort was comfortably held.
The Swans were looking to control the ball and make the extra man count. But the Bluebirds were making them work for it.
Cadogan again found himself in the box, he worked the ball well onto his left foot but his strike was brilliantly blocked by new Cardiff man Malachi Fagan-Walcott. The Swans then struck the post from the resulting corner before the Cardiff defence cleared.
Swansea looked to have created a certain second on the 62nd minute. A great cross from Congreve found Ben Lloyd free but he somehow lifted the ball over. Just a minute later it was Cardiff who come close. Cian Ashford broke through but only managed to drive his shot wide of goal.
Swansea again came close to a second. It was Lloyd again with a headed effort this time, but Dennis done brilliantly to tip the effort over the crossbar. And they came to regret the missed opportunities as the away side levelled the score.
James Crole broke down the right hand side and pulled the ball back to Kieron Evans who was free in the box 10 yards out. The Bluebirds attacker smashed the ball first time past the keeper to level the game on the 71st minute. The goal appeared to give the 10 men confidence that they could go on to win the game.
But both sides were unable to find a winning goal in the 90 minutes so the game was to be decided by a penalty shootout for a place in the Quarter Finals. Cameron Congreve stepped up first for the host and scored before James Crole levelled things up for the Bluebirds.
Sam Parker dispatched the second Swans penalty before Cardiff substitute Zane Myers saw his penalty saved by Evan Watts. Goalscorer Cadogan scored his penalty to give the Swans the advantage.
Cian Ashford, Kian Jenkins and Luey Giles were all successful from the spot leaving Swansea substitute Kristian Fletcher the chance to win it. Fletcher stepped up and confidently side footed the penalty past the keeper to send Swansea through to the next round of the Nathaniel MG Cup.
Swansea City – Evan Watts (GK), Sam Parker, Kian Jenkins, Mitchel Bates, Filip Lissah (C) (Harry Jones 90+3), Kai Ludvisgen, Liam Smith, Cameron Congreve, Kyrell Wilson (Kristian Fletcher 68′), Ben Lloyd (Joe Thomas 68′), Maliq Cadogan
Goals: Maliq Cadogan 23′
Yellow Cards: Sam Parker 74′
Cardiff City – Jake Dennis (GK), Vontae Daley-Campbell, Joshua Beecher (Cody Twose 45′), Luey Giles, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Freddie Cook, Cian Ashford, Kyle Kenniford, James Crole, Joel Colwill (C) (Zane Myers 90+5′), Kieron Evans
Goals: Kieron Evans 71′
Yellow Cards: Kyle Kenniford 28’45 Joel Colwill 90+2′ Jake Dennis 90+6′
Red Cards: Kyle Kenniford 45′
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