Report | Sheffield United U18s 5 Swansea City U18s 0

Swansea City Under-18s were well beaten by Sheffield United in Professional Development League South on Tuesday.

Antwoine Hackford and Tyrese Bailey-Green combined for three of the hosts’ five goals at the Sheffield United Football Academy, as they extended their unbeaten run to four games.

Anthony Wright named a much-changed side from Saturday’s defeat at Cardiff, making six alterations in total.

There were recalls for Panashe Makokowe, Ryan Bassett and Adnaan Moti, while opportunities were also presented to Jada Mawongo, Ben Lloyd and Geoff Bony.

The visitors fell behind after five minutes in Yorkshire. Hackford, who recently made his senior debut for the Blades in their Premier League clash with Burnley, arrived to turn home Bailey-Green’s cross.

The lead was doubled 16 minutes later when Josh Smith’s strike deflected past Swansea keeper Tyler Evans.

United made it 3-0 less than 20 seconds into the second half as Hackford charged down Evans’ clearance, allowing Bailey-Green to slot home from close range.

The same two players combined for the hosts’ fourth goal in the 68th minute; Bailey-Green firing into the roof of the net from Hackford’s cross.

And skipper Oliver Arblaster completed the scoring five minutes later when he tucked away from the penalty spot.

“It was a young side, but a real harsh learning curve for them,” Wright said.

“As a team, we were outfought in all departments. We didn’t quite cope with the physicality of the opposition and didn’t deal with the conditions very well. 

“We knew it would be a challenging day for the team, but that is part of their development.

“The positive was that we managed to get a number of under-16s on the pitch, and they had a lot of game time. Obviously, they haven’t played any football this season. 

“Collectively, they’ve been in a position where they’ve found things difficult, so it’s now about how we turn a real negative performance into a positive. That’s by showing learning from the experience that they’ve had today.”

Swansea City U18s: Tyler Evans; Panashe Makokowe, Jada Mawongo, Scott Butler (captain), Ryan Bassett; Joel Cotterill, Josh Edwards (Cameron Congreve, 53), Ben Lloyd (Cian Williams, 85); Adnaan Moti (Adrian Akande, 60), Geoff Bony, Rio Campbell.

Subs not used: Josh Hutchings, Kai Ludvigsen.