Swansea Uni beat off ten-man Canton to keep faint promotion hopes alive
Morgan Weaver of Swansea Uni celebrates scoring his sides first goal. Cardiff Corinthians v Swansea University in the Ardal South League Cup Semi Final at Leckwith Stadium on the 20th March 2024.
Swansea Uni kept their Ardal South West play-off hopes alive by surviving a late scare from Canton in a 3-2 victory.
Swansea had the best of the early chances but were unable to get an early goal. The game’s first big event came 30 minutes in when Canton ‘s Brian Camilleri was shown two quick yellow cards for arguing with the referee leaving the Libs with 10 players.
Swans took advantage of the numbers in first-half stoppage time with Josh Cole opening the scoring.
The Students started the second half quickly with Cole grabbing his second in the opening minute. Cole completed his hat trick in the 59th minute and it seemed the game was put to bed. Canton had other ideas and Abdoulie Tunkara pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute. With eight minutes remaining Lib’s were awarded a penalty which Bo Cordle converted. Swansea Uni held on to the late Canton pressure to pick up the three points.
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Josh Cole had a golden opportunity to put his side ahead after 12 minutes. Swansea played the ball through the Canton defence for Cole but he put his shot wide.
The home side had a good chance to take the lead when captain Bo Cordle found Jordan Carey in the box. Carey hit a shot but Swans keeper Ben Edwards made the save.
On the half-hour mark, Canton’s Brian Camilleri disagreed with the ref and was shown a yellow card for his protests. He then continued and the ref brandished another yellow and then showed him a red.
Into the first half added time and the visitors took the lead. Aaron Rees played the ball across the goal and found Cole at the far post who turned the ball into the net.
Half Time: Canton Libs 0-1 Swansea Uni
Swansea were two up shortly after kick-off as they began the half quickly. Dylan Williams with a good ball across the goal and it was Cole who was on the end again for his second.
The same pair combined again in the 59th minute to make it three. Williams this time with a cross from the left and Cole free in the box headed home.
Aaron Rees could have put Swansea further ahead in the 67th minute. Breaking into the box he fired a shot but Suleimane Susso made a good save to deny him.
Canton got a goal back in the 72nd minute when Abdoulie Tunkara hit a shot which was deflected past Edwards.
Canton pushed for another and got awarded a penalty in the 82nd minute when Chris Dye’s effort was handled in the box. Bo Cordle sent the pen high but it went in off the bar.
It was almost a heroic comeback when Chris Dye sent a diving header toward goal but Edwards pulled off a save for the visitors to hold on to the win.
Canton
Suleimane Susso (G), Chris Dye, Raphael Kingsley (Tommy Goodman 76), Brian Camilleri, Abdoulie Tunkara (76), Saul Tanhai (Dael Saleh 66), Louie Crowe (Ahmed Almansour 66), Andre Phillips (Thierry Otu 50), Jordan Carey, Dafydd Ball, Abraham Cordle (C).
Goals: Abdoulie Tunkara 72, Bo Cordle 82 (Pen).
Yellow Cards: Brian Camilleri 30, Andre Phillips 40.
Red Cards: Brian Camilleri 30.
Swansea Uni
Ben Edwards (G), Noah Osborne (Harry Moreton 64), Dylan Williams, Ryan Jones (Jordan Hughes 60), Will Morrish (Jordan Pike 64), Warren Hudson (C), Harry Huddart (Logan Jenkins 75), Aaron Rees (Will Thomas 75), Ollie Roberts, Joshua Cole, Lee Bevan.
Goals: Joshua Cole 45+2, 46, 59.
Yellow Cards: Harry Huddart 44.
