Report | Cardiff City U18s 2 Swansea City U18s 0
Two second-half goals saw Swansea City Under-18s fall to defeat against rivals Cardiff City in their Professional Development League clash.
After a goalless first 45 minutes, a Kyle Kenniford penalty shortly after the hour mark put the Bluebirds ahead before a Cody Twose goal deep into added time sealed all three points for the home side.
The result ended a three-match unbeaten run for the young Swans, as they were left to rue missed chances after creating a number of promising opportunities.
Despite being the away side, coach Darren Davies saw his visitors start positively, Zane Myers set up Sam Parker for a good chance in the opening minute, but the full-back fired his shot over.
Cardiff’s first chance fell to Gabriele Biancheri, who found himself with time in the Swansea box, but pressure from David Roberts forced the forward into a tame final effort.
Swansea responded, Kyrell Wilson using his pace to break clear of the Cardiff defence, but he couldn’t find a way past the goalkeeper.
However, chances kept coming for the young Swans and an impressive move that started all the way back with Ewan Griffiths in the Swansea goal ended with Iwan Morgan lofting a shot over the bar.
Despite a slew of first half chances for the Swans, they would fall behind in the second period as Roberts stepped across Biancheri in the box and was adjudged to have brought him down.
Kenniford stepped up to the spot and found the back of the net, despite keeper Griffiths going the right way.
Josh Carey almost equalised immediately for the Swans as he looked for the top left corner from a free kick, but a good save from Cardiff goalkeeper Jake Dennis kept the hosts lead intact.
The Swans continued to push for an equaliser, but the Bluebirds would make it two late in added time, Twose converting from close range to seal the three points.
There was still time for the visitors to fashion another sight of goal, but Dennis was equal to Sam Parker's strike.
Swansea City Under-18s: Ewan Griffiths, Sam Parker, Seb Dabrowski, Arthur Parker (Richard Faakye 66), David Roberts (Aimar Govea 57), Josh Carey, Dan Watts, Kyrell Wilson (Rohan Davies 85), Geoff Bony, Iwan Morgan, Zane Myers.
Unused subs: Kit Margetson, Jacob Cook.
Cardiff City Under-18s: Jake Dennis, Joe Keeping, Luey Giles, Morgan Lewis, Dylan Lawlor, Dan Barton, Cole Fleming (Cody Twose 46), Kyle Kenniford, Gabriele Biancheri, Isaac Jeffries, Japhet Mpadi (Trey George 90).
Unused subs: Callum Jones, Joe Thomas, Tana Jones.
