Report | Merthyr Town 2 Swansea City Under-23s 0

Swansea City Under-23s began their pre-season preparations with an encouraging performance in a narrow 2-0 defeat by Southern League side Merthyr Town.

Goals from two former Swans proved to be the difference between the sides, with Kieran Lewis and Lee Lucas both on target before half-time at the Met Coaches Stadium.

Despite the loss, the match provided a good learning experience for the development side who, with several key players away in Spain with the first team, fielded a squad mainly comprising of first and second-year scholars.

Captained by Kees de Boer, the young Swans made a bright start and created a couple of decent opportunities inside the opening 20 minutes.

First, Keiran Evans saw his shot saved by Merthyr keeper Cameron Clarke, who also did well to deny Tivonge Rushesha.

However, the Premier Division South side’s experience began to tell and they went close to taking the lead in the 22nd minute, as a Kerry Morgan header hit the post from Lewis Binns’ cross.

The hosts did break the deadlock six minutes later, though, with Morgan turning provider as his through ball was latched onto and calmly dispatched by Lewis.

Binns and Jamie Veale both saw efforts go narrowly wide of the target for Merthyr before they doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, with Lucas’ superb strike putting them 2-0 to the good.

Gavin Williams’ men went close to adding a third 15 minutes from time, but Josh Gould did well to keep out Ian Traylor.

The under-23s are back on their travels again next Saturday, when they face Chelsea’s development side.