Preview | Swansea City U18s v Birmingham City U18s
Swansea City Under-18s are back in Professional Development League (PDL) action on Saturday afternoon as they are set to host Birmingham City at Landore Training Ground. (12pm kick-off).
The Swans will hope to build on their entertaining victory against Watford last week. A Geoff Bony hat-trick and a Iwan Morgan strike were enough to secure the three points for the travelling Swans.
The young Blues have only recorded one league win in 2023, coming against Wigan Athletic in February. Despite losing three of their last four outings, Birmingham fought off Bristol City in the PDL Cup semi-final, and will face Peterborough United in the final of the prestigious competition.
This match will represent the final run-out before the March international break and the Under-18s will see six players representing Wales with Iwan Morgan, Kit Margetson, Sam Parker, Josh Carey and Dan Watts featuring for the Under-17s and Under-18s respectively.
Meanwhile, midfielder Aimar Govea is further afield representing Ecuador, as they prepare for the upcoming South American Under-17 Championship, kicking off March 30, 2023.
Pre-match views
Coach Darren Davies: "We haven't played Birmingham City in the time I have been here, so it'll be a different test that we're looking forward to.
"We'll turn our attention back to the training pitch and do some unit work, individually and as a team and we'll work on our game management which is something we lacked against Watford."
Previous meeting - May 11, 2021
Swansea City 0 Birmingham City 3
Swansea City Under-18s' Professional Development League season ended with defeat by in-form Birmingham City at Landore.
The Blues arrived in South Wales on a five-match unbeaten streak, and they continued their strong run thanks to goals from Kieran Wakefield, Jordan James and Rico Patterson.
But they fell behind after just 14 minutes at Landore when Wakefield raced away from the defence, before sliding a low shot past Evans.
Evans came to the Swans' rescue as the visitors almost doubled their lead within a minute, saving well after a neat one-two saw Harry Manton get in behind the defence.
But the goalkeeper was powerless in the 27th minute when a low cross was turned in by James.
The hosts looked to respond before the break. Cameron Congreve's through ball almost released Moti on goal, while Cian Williams dragged a low shot narrowly wide.
However, they fell further behind seven minutes after the restart as Patterson fired home from the penalty spot after Panashe Makokowe was penalised.
Patterson and Wakefield went close to extending Birmingham's advantage later on while, at the other end, Morgan shot straight at Bradley Mayo.
Swansea City Under-18s: Tyler Evans; Daniel Watts, Panashe Makokowe, Ryan Bassett, Cian Williams; Joel Cotterill, Cameron Congreve (captain), Adnaan Moti (Jada Mawongo, ht); Aaron Hillier, Iwan Morgan (Geoff Bony, 77), Rio Campbell (Sebastian Dabrowski, 77).
Subs not used: Josh Hutchings.