03/11/2018 11:00 v Arsenal U18

Swansea City Under-18s suffered a 3-1 defeat to league leaders Arsenal in the Premier League South at Landore.

The visitors threatened in the early stages of the game and took the lead inside 15 minutes when Sam Greenwood’s beautifully struck free-kick flew beyond Swans goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd and into the top corner.

The academy Swans fought hard to level the score and did so in first-half stoppage time when Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein’s misplaced clearance fell to Arnor Gudjohnsen and he fired home from an awkward angle.

Arsenal started the second half brightly and retook the lead just minutes after the restart when captain Matt Smith’s fine individual effort wrong-footed Shepperd.

And it was Smith who eventually got Arsenal’s third late in the second half when he found himself on the end of substitute Miguel Azeez’s free-kick and finished well.

The under-18s are next in action when they travel to the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre to face Brighton at the end of the month.

Swans U18s: Nathan Shepperd, Bailey Owen, Jacob Jones, Dan Williams, Cameron Evans, Ben Erickson (capt), Jayden Reid, Tivonge Rushesha, Shaquille Wynter-Coles (Bradley Gibbings, 74), Arnor Gudjohnsen, Marc Walsh (Mason Jones-Thomas, 63).

Subs not used: Scott Reed, Connor Shields, Jake Thomas

Arsenal U18s: Karl Hein, Vontae Daley-Campbell, Joel Lopez (Matthew Dennis, 85), Matt Smith (capt), Mark McGuinness, Bayli Spencer-Adams, Stan Flaherty (Ben Cottrell, 59), Harry Clarke (Miguel Azeez, HT), Fol Balogun, Sam Greenwood, Yunus Musah.

Subs not used: Hubert Graczyk, Josh Martin.