Report | Swansea City U18s 0 Brentford U18s 2
Swansea City Under-18s suffered a 2-0 defeat to Brentford in the Professional Development League at Landore.
A second-half brace from Brentford striker Jovan Kasujja secured the victory for the Bees, while extending the young Swans’ winless run to four matches.
It was an even first half with little to separate the two sides. Brentford did have the ball in the net through Kasujja, but the effort was ruled out for offside, while Swansea created chances of their own through Harvey Gray and Bobby Lewis.
However, a couple of sloppy moments from the hosts allowed Kasujja to capitalise after the break, with the forward scoring twice in quick succession to hand the west London side a two-goal advantage with 30 minutes to play.
Jon Beale’s side pushed for a way back into the contest, but the Bees held firm to secure all three points.
Brentford created the first chance within seconds as Domeiro Bobb-Semple won the ball high up the pitch before cutting inside and striking towards the near corner, but Tom Wright got down well to make the save.
The Swans enjoyed plenty of possession in the early stages without creating anything clear-cut. Lewis did have a sight of goal after reacting to a Brentford clearance, but the number 10’s effort was well blocked by a Bees defender.
Brentford thought they had taken the lead when Yerime Ouattara played Kasujja through on goal and the striker slotted past Wright, but the assistant referee’s flag was raised for offside.
Chances continued to be limited, but Gray had an opportunity from close range after a delivery from the left found him in the area. However, the forward could not get his feet set and the ball rolled into the arms of Layton Nicholls.
Archie Quick then went close from a Caio Ifans corner, rising highest in the area but unable to keep his header down as it went over the bar.
Lewis had the best chance of the half after a swift counter-attack saw him find space inside the area, but a fantastic block from Jeremiah Oladapo-Gamu denied the forward.
The first chance of the second half also fell to the Swans as Gray slipped Ioan Johnston into the area, but Nicholls got down well to make a smart diving save.
Micaiiah Fanoiki then produced a strong run down the flank, gliding past several Swansea players before finding space to shoot, but his low effort went straight into the hands of Wright.
Brentford broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half when Kasujja collected the ball with the option of playing in Naeem Giscombe, but instead chose to go alone before calmly finishing past Wright.
The Bees doubled their lead just two minutes later when a misplaced goal kick from Wright fell straight to Kasujja, who made no mistake in rolling the ball into the net.
Swansea pushed to respond, with Alex Godfrey delivering a dangerous ball into the area aimed at Ifan Harding, but a vital interception from Oladapo-Gamu prevented the forward from getting a touch.
Brentford almost added a third in the closing stages when Jai Bansoodeb found space for a strike from 20 yards, but Wright saw the effort all the way and produced a good diving save.
Swansea City Under-18s:Tom Wright, Alex Godfrey, Caio Ifans, Alffi Hughes (Rio Hassan 78’), Archie Quick, Dempsey Singer, Bobo Evans, Alfie Jones (C), Harvey Gray, Bobby Lewis, Ioan Johnston.
Substitutes not used: Jakub Nowak.
Brentford Under-18s:
Layton Nicholls, Micaiiah Fanoiki, Reuben Lawal, Aidan Golding (C) (Nathaniel Ogungbemi 70’), Jeremiah Oladapo-Gamu, Christopher Cohalan (Josh Zetter-Plummer 70’), Jai Bansoodeb, Yerime Ouattara, Jovan Kasujja, Jacob Hanson, Domeiro Bobb-Semple (Naeem Giscombe 15’, Archie Trimboli 70’).
Substitutes not used: Felix Lyon.