Report | Charlton Athletic 1 Swansea City 2

23rd July
First team
Charlton Joel Piroe

Swansea City rounded off their pre-season preparations with a victory as Joel Piroe and Ryan Manning netted at The Valley.

The Swans had trailed to an early Harry Darling own goal in south-east London, but they grew into the game and were rewarded when their Dutch forward coolly finished from around 12 yards for his sixth goal of pre-season.

The visitors had chances to win it, but Michael Obafemi, Matt Grimes and Piroe were all denied by Charlton keeper Joe Wollacott. However, they eventually found a way through as Manning finished from close range with five minutes remaining.

The clash with the League One side completes preparations for the new campaign; the next time Russell Martin’s side are in action will be in their Championship opener at Rotherham next weekend.

The Swans made a far from ideal start when Darling’s back pass to Andy Fisher caught the keeper in the process of moving to provide support and the ball ended up trickling into the unguarded net.

Charlton had threatened moments earlier, with Corey Blackett-Taylor’s pace causing issues as his cross found the side-netting.

Jayden Stockley was then fortunate to only see yellow for a high and late swing on Matty Sorinola, which left the Swansea wide man in a heap.

The Swans began to settle after the early setback, penning their hosts back and enjoying good spells of possession.

Charlton melee

Piroe volleyed over after a clever flick from Jay Fulton, before Blackett-Taylor volleyed over at the far post from Albie Morgan’s pinpoint cross.

The Swans’ best passage of play to date saw them come close to a leveller as Piroe and Jamie Paterson combined to tee up Matt Grimes, but the skipper’s firm strike was deflected onto the roof of the net.

Fisher was soon in action again, saving with his feet to deny Stockley after Blackett-Taylor’s pace had caused more problems.

It was proving an open and entertaining affair, and Piroe nearly slid Obafemi in on goal after nice link work between the two.

Obafemi had the ball in the net in the 35th minute after running on to a lovely pass from Piroe, but the offside flag ensured it did not count, before Jay Fulton saw his strike from distance gratefully gathered in by Charlton keeper Wollacott.

The hosts retained their lead at the break and could have extended their advantage shortly after the resumption had Stockley not snatched at a volley from Miles Leaburn’s knockdown.

Swansea responded, Obafemi just unable to find Paterson in support after getting into space down the left-hand side.

And they levelled in the 53rd minute as a deep corner saw the ball fall to Piroe, and he guided an unerring low volley into the bottom corner.

Charlton Joel Latibeaudiere

The Swans began to press more insistently and enjoy more control of the game. Sorinola could not pick out Joel Latibeaudiere at the far stick after good build-up, while while Piroe could not connect with another volley from a knockdown a few moments later.

Sorinola was proving a threat down the left and he beat his man with ease before flashing a ball across goal that Obafemi just could not reach.

The Swansea striker was then denied by Wollacott after Obafemi’s own pressing work has seen him rob Ryan Inniss and advance on goal.

Piroe then forced a fine save from Wollacott with a rising strike from just outside the area.

The visitors also had penalty appeals waved away despite Nathan Wood clearly having his shirt grabbed as he contested a deep corner.

Addicks’ keeper Wollacott was soon in action again, saving a low Grimes shot after the skipper had picked off a poor pass out of defence from the hosts.

But he was beaten when substitutes Manning and Cameron Congreve combined. The latter tricking his way to the byline and picking out the onrushing Irishman.

Swansea City: Andy Fisher; Nathan Wood, Kyle Naughton, Harry Darling; Joel Latibeaudiere (Ryan Manning 72), Jay Fulton, Matt Grimes (captain), Matty Sorinola (Lincoln Mcfayden 87); Joel Piroe, Jamie Paterson (Olivier Ntcham 72), Michael Obafemi (Cameron Congreve 81).

Unused Substitutes: Steven Benda, Liam Cullen, Ollie Cooper.

Charlton Athletic: Joe Wollacott, Steven Sessegnon (Richard Chin 73), Eoghan O'Connell, Jayden Stockley (captain), Albie Morgan, Conor McGrandles (Jack Payne 46), Scott Fraser, Corey Blackett-Taylor (Daniel Kanu 74), Ryan Inniss, Sean Clare, Miles Leaburn (Aaron Henry 74).

Unused Substitutes: Nathan Harness, Nazir Bakrin, Jeremy Santos, Deji Elerewe, Euan Williams.

Attendance: 3,345 (369 from Swansea)