Preview | Reading U18s v Swansea City U18s

Swansea City Under-18s travel to Bearwood Park on Saturday afternoon to take on Reading in the Professional Development League (12pm kick-off).

It's the first meeting between the two sides in more than three years, after Reading's academy set-up were reassigned to Category Two for the 2022-23 season. 

The young Swans bounced back from their defeat at Ipswich Town with an emphatic 4-0 over Bristol City last week, with goals from Iwan Morgan, Geoff Bony (2) and Zane Myers.

The Royals have embarked on a decent run of form, winning four out of their last six fixtures.

Pre-match views

Swansea City Under-18s' coach Darren Davies said: "We'll certainly take the momentum and enthusiasm of the Bristol City win into the week ahead.  

"We'll analyse the previous game as there's always learning moments to be had.

"We haven't played Reading in some time as they haven't been in our division, so it will be a different test. 

"We'll get some really good work into them on the training pitch this week, and we'll look to produce another good performance."

Previous meeting - September 17, 2019

Reading 3 Swansea City 1

Swansea City Under-18s suffered their second consecutive defeat in Premier League South after falling to defeat the last time they travelled to Reading.

The young Swans found themselves 3-0 behind after 65 minutes at Hogwood Park, as Claudio Osorio’s brace followed Josh Hewitt’s early penalty.

That meant that Josh Thomas’ fourth goal of the season was no more than a consolation for the visitors.

The Swans side fell behind after just five minutes in West Berkshire, as Hewitt slotted home from the penalty spot.

Two goals in the space of a minute from Osorio in the second half then left the Swans with a huge mountain to climb.

Thomas reduced arrears four minutes from time but could not prevent a third defeat of the campaign.