Anthony Wright hails 'top level' first-half performance

31st March
Academy
Anthony Wright

Coach Anthony Wright hails 'top level' first-half showing from Swansea City Under-21s as they saw off Ipswich Town Under-21s with a 5-3 win at Landore Training Ground.

Ruben Davies scored twice within three minutes, before adding two more to the scoresheet ensuring the Swans went into the interval with a handy lead.

However, Ipswich pulled two quick-fire goals back through Osman Foyo and Joe Edwards to half their deficit just past the hour mark.

There were some anxious moments after Harry Barbrook struck a third for the Tractor Boys in the 86th minute, but Corey Hurford was on hand to ensure the three points for the Swans when he hit a fifth in the final moments.

Despite the Swans' five goals and a dominant opening 45 minutes, Wright admits that the group's game management needs much improving after letting the opposition back in during the second period.

"Our first-half performance was top, top level. We scored four goals and probably could have scored even more. It was a great half, and it was everything we expect and work towards as a group and as individuals," said Wright.

"The second half was a totally different game. We allowed the opposition to dictate the game by their press and we didn't quite settle well enough.

"I think individually, and unit based, we could have done a lot better to help protect the ball at times. But, it's something we have to get right as a group of players.

"Game management is something that we really are looking at to see what we can do to make sure that we improve.

"The group that we have are a really good bunch. We're really pleased with where we are, and now it's just about making sure we have that consistency week-in, week-out.

"We have a young group, with some very young individuals and it's all about development at the moment, but I'm more than confident that it will all come together.

"As a group, the fact that the players start games so well and we're scoring a lot of goal, it takes them into half-time being comfortable, then I think they find it hard to carry that momentum within the game into the second-half."