REPORT: Swans U23s 0 Southampton U23s 1

Swansea City Under-23s narrowly lost their second Group A game in the Premier League Cup against Southampton at Landore on Friday.

The young Swans began the game with intent and almost took the lead in the first minute as winger Daniel James rattled the woodwork after latching onto Aaron Lewis' cross from the right flank.

Despite a promising start, which also saw Alex Samuel test the Saints defence, it was Southampton who took the lead on six minutes as Lloyd Isgrove's cross found winger Tyreke Johnson at the back post with a diving header.

Swans keeper Lewis Thomas denied striker Olufela Olomola's shot at goal before Samuel's fast paced counter attack saw the winger fire his shot into the side netting.

Swansea came close to equalising minutes later as a neat one-two between Daniel James and Samuel saw James' fierce shot blocked for a corner.

The young Swans continued to pass the ball well down the channels but could not find a way through Southampton's strong defence as Thomas comfortably saved Thomas O'Connor's shot at goal minutes before the break.

The home side continued to press in the second half and could have drawn level when Samuel turned well in the area to create space to fire at goal only for the wingers' effort to be denied by the legs of Adam Parkes in the Saints net.

A minute later Joe Rodon's header at goal was blocked on the line by Richard Bakory before the defender narrowly headed wide from another corner on the hour mark.

Substitute George Byers saw his shot from the right flank denied by Parkes as Samuel came close to finding the back of the net on two occasions.

The Saints almost doubled their lead midway through the second period only for Thomas to deny Olomola's close-range headed effort on the line.

Swansea could have equalised in the final minutes as Samuel held off a Saints defender in the box with a pass for Byers only for the midfielder to fire wide before the full time whistle.

SWANS U23s: Lewis Thomas, Aaron Lewis, Tom Plezier, Jack Evans, Tyler Reid, Joe Rodon, Dan James (Liam Cullen, 75), Tom Holland (Ryan Blair, 80), Botti Biabi, Tom Dyson (George Byers, 52), Alex Samuel (Capt).

UNUSED SUBS: Gregor Zabret, Keston Davies.

SOUTHAMPTON U23s: Adam Parkes, Richard Bakory (Jake Flannigan, 60), Jake Vokins, Ben Rowthorn, Ollie Cook, Alfie Jones (Capt), Lloyd Isgrove (Harley Willard, 75), Thomas O'Connor, Olufela Olomola, Callum Slattery, Tyreke Johnson.

UNUSED SUBS: Will Wood, Neal Osbourne, Siph Madlalose.