Teenage German goalkeeper Steven Benda shone for Swansea City in the Welsh Youth Cup final – and now he’s aiming for a trophy double.
Benda, 19, was the matchwinner for the young Swans, saving penalties taken by Trystan Jones and Isaac Davies during a shootout at the Liberty Stadium.
Now Benda, signed from 1860 Munich last year, is hoping to follow Tuesday’s under-19 success by helping Swansea win another trophy when the under-23s face Aston Villa in the Premier League Cup final this Friday.
“It’s been an unbelievable season for me,” said Benda. “Hopefully, I can finish it with another win.”
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Swansea and Cardiff were locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes after Joe Lewis put the hosts ahead and Mark Harris equalised.
There were no goals during extra time and the final was decided in a penalty shootout.
Benda’s double save plus successful spot-kicks from Causso Darame, Matthew Blake and Kees de Boer, left the Swans celebrating a ninth successive FAW Youth Cup triumph.
Craig Bellamy’s young Bluebirds were intent on stopping Swansea’s run of success in the Welsh Youth Cup and they fought hard throughout the 120 minutes, but they were cruelly denied on penalties.
Cameron Coxe cleared off the line when Swansea threatened to score, while de Boer’s cross was converted by Lewis after 22 minutes.
Cardiff hit back, keeping more of the possession and showing signs that they could control the game.
Mark Harris headed the equaliser on the half hour and Cardiff created the better chances, particularly in the second half when Lawrence Wootton’s strike in the 63rd minute was brilliantly saved by Benda.
Sion Spence went for goal from long range, but his shot flew wide.
There was a break when referee Tom Williams was injured and had to be replaced by fourth official Alex McInch.
The score was goalless after 90 minutes and there were no goals in extra time, although Isaak Davies went close when a Sion Spence pass put him clear.
The young Swans went on to retain the trophy, winning the penalty shootout 3-2.
It was a fitting way to end an outstanding season for Swansea’s under-19 team, who finished sixth in Premier League South and achieved their highest ever position since attaining category one status.
“Give Cardiff credit, they stopped us playing the way we normally do,” said Swansea joint coach Jon Grey. “But the boys kept going right to the end.
“To go on and win it the way we did is brilliant.”
“Nine in a row is a fantastic achievement,” said fellow coach Anthony Wright. “There was a little bit of pressure going into the game because we don’t want to be the coaches and players that don’t continue the run.
“But the players have applied themselves in the right way throughout this tournament and it’s pleasing to lift the trophy.”
Penalty shootout:
Swansea: Darame, Blake, de Boer scored, Lewis denied and Cullen hit the bar.
Cardiff: Mark Harris, Coxe scored. Spence, Jones and Isaak Davies denied.
Teams:
Swansea City: Benda, K Evans (Berry 89), Blake, Dulca, Lewis, Cabango, Price, de Boer, Cullen, Cooper (Darame 66), C Evans (Jones-Thomas 46). Subs: Shepperd (gk), Wynter-Coles.
Cardiff City: Ratcliffe, Coxe, Jones, Bodenham, Waite, Patten, C Davies (Reynolds 89), Wootton, (I Davies 66), M. Harris, Spence, Bowen (K Evans 100). Subs: Smith, Margetson.