Byron Anthony gutted for ‘magnificent’ U18s

Swansea City Under-18s boss Byron Anthony was left gutted for his players after they were pegged back to a 2-2 draw by Hull City.

On a three-match unbeaten run in the Professional Development League, the young Swans produced a confident performance at Bishop Burton College.

They took a 2-0 lead early in the second half, with 15-year-old striker Iwan Morgan bagging a brace for the visitors.

At the other end, Anthony’s side demonstrated a solid defensive resolve as they sought a second win in four games.

But that resolve was broken via a huge slice of misfortune in the 78th minute, when Billy Leach’s deflected cross clipped the far post before trickling over the line.

And with their tails up, Hull grabbed an equaliser in the dying moments through Glen Sani to snatch two points from the Swans, who had Panashe Makokowe sent off in stoppage-time.

But despite the disappointing end to the contest, Anthony insists there were plenty of positives for his players to focus on as they extended their undefeated streak to four games.

“The players were absolutely magnificent – from minute one right the way through to the very end,” the under-18s coach said.

“They executed the game plan and what we worked on throughout the week.

“They more than matched Hull; they outran them, out-worked them, and Hull didn’t have any answers for 70-odd minutes.

“We were playing on a dry and bobbly pitch, but we still managed to pass the ball around when we could, and played some good stuff in the first half. 

“We asked the players at half-time to give the same performance in terms of their application and desire to out-run and out-work Hull. They did exactly that.

“After Hull’s first goal, they had the wind in their sails. 

“The boys carried on going and did everything they could, but unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough and Hull got their equaliser towards the end.

“I was gutted for the players because they’ve done exactly what’s been asked of them over the past few weeks.”