Report | Charlton Athletic U21s 1 Swansea City U21s 0

Terry Taylor's early strike proved the difference as Swansea City Under-21s were narrowly defeated by Charlton Athletic at Sparrows Lane.

The hosts had the advantage with just three minutes on the clock after Taylor struck a fine shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

The Swans had some promising moments through Cameron Congreve, Ben Lloyd and Maliq Cadogan, but were unable to make them count. 

The visitors had Kit Margetson in goal as he made his first competitive start for the under-21s, coming in for  Nathan Broome following last week’s Premier League Cup fixture against Brighton.

The bench was made-up of a number of players from the younger age group. They included Iestyn Jones, Ewan Griffiths, Jack Fanning, Aimar Govea and Yori Griffith, who had all featured for the under-18s against Charlton at the weekend.

The hosts had a chance to take an early lead when the ball dropped for one of their forwards in the box, but Margetson was equal to that effort.

However, there was nothing he could do just a few moments later when Taylor struck.

The striker intercepted a loose ball on the edge of the Swansea box and the Welshman’s bent his strike round the keeper and into the bottom corner.

The Swans looked to respond and had some moments of promise. Congreve linked with Dan Watts before seeing his shot denied by Harry Isted in the Charlton goal.

The game was proving an open affair with both sides enjoying spells of pressure.

But the hosts were seeing the better of the chances, with Taylor and Micah Mbick sending shots wide of the target when well-placed.

Charlton remained ahead at the break, but Swansea created a pair of half-chances immediately following the restart. Watts pressed well to win the ball before Lloyd put Cadogon through on goal, but Isted raced off his line to collect.

Lloyd and Cadogan then combined again, the former working the ball well down the left before picking out the forward, only for the final effort to go over the bar.

Coach Anthony Wright sent on Jones and Griffith for their under-21s' debuts alongside Govea, who looked threatening on the left flank following his introduction.

The Swans didn't stop fighting in the final stages, and Govea chipped a half-volley wide of the near post from a Cadogan lay-off.

But the development side were left to rue their missed chances as they were defeated in the league for the first time in 2024.

Swansea City Under-21s: Kit Margetson, Harry Jones, Kian Jenkins, Mitchell Bates, Dan Watts (Iestyn Jones 58), Richard Faakye, Ben Lloyd (Yori Griffith 82), Joel Cotterill (captain), Maliq Cadogan, Glory Nzingo (Aimar Gove 66), Cameron Congreve.

Substitutes: Ewan Griffiths, Jack Fanning.