Jon Beale | It was a young team but they stood up to the challenge

Jon Beale believes Swansea City Under-21s' 1-1 draw with Bristol City Under-21s at the Robins High Performance Centre was an ideal preparation for a young squad ahead of their FA Youth Cup tie with Leeds United next week.

With the Swans keen to give their under-18s valuable competitive minutes before the cup clash at York on Monday, many of Beale’s side were challenged to take on an experienced Robins under-21s' outfit.

The young Swans gave a strong account of themselves throughout the contest, dominating the first half and showing impressive resilience after being reduced to 10 men when Ben Phillips was sent off with just under 40 minutes remaining.

Bristol City took the lead in the 87th minute through Luke Skinner, but Swansea refused to relent and were rewarded in added time. Alfie Jones played through substitute Josh Pescatore, who calmly slotted past goalkeeper Freddie Godden to earn a well-deserved draw.

Beale praised the performance against the older age group, while also highlighting their character, togetherness and determination to keep fighting after the dismissal, when the game could easily have slipped away.

“I’m really pleased with the performance," said the Swans under-18s' boss.

“We wanted the under-18s to take the game, as we needed a competitive fixture ahead of the next round of the FA Youth Cup. 

"For the boys to come up here and perform the way they did - especially in the first half, where I thought we were the dominant side - was really pleasing. Then to react the way we did after going down to 10 men, stay in the game and remain competitive with such a young group says a lot.

“Stepping up as an under-18 group to face a strong under-21s' side meant there were moments where we couldn’t get away with things we might in an under-18s' game. 

"We didn’t get everything right, but our general play, our transitions and the chances we created were excellent. The way the boys stepped up will stand us in good stead going forward.

“I’m really proud of the courage they showed after the sending off. Playing a level up with 10 men, the game could easily have got away from us, but it shows the character of the players and how they stuck together. For me, they got exactly what they deserved, which was at least a point.

“Leeds will be a difficult game next Monday, and that’s why we wanted this fixture. We knew it was never going to be easy, but it’s probably a good reflection of what we’ll face against a Category One club. In that sense, this was almost perfect preparation for us.”