Report | Swansea City U18s 1 Charlton Athletic U18s 8
Swansea City Under-18s were well beaten by in-form Charlton Athletic in Professional Development League South.
Despite Sebastian Dabrowkski's first goal at this level, the under-18s suffered their second consecutive defeat on a difficult day at Landore.
Mason Burstow and Miles Leaburn scored twice, while Evan Williams, Aaron Henry, Richard Chin and Tyreece Campbell were also on target for the visitors, who recorded their fourth straight win.
Byron Anthony made three changes from last week's defeat at Watford. Jada Mawonga replaced Kai Ludvigsen in the heart of defence, while there were also starts for Iwan Morgan and Aaron Hillier.
Mawonga and Morgan were two of six under-16 players in the starting line-up, along with Dabrowski, Joel Cotterill, Geoff Bony and Ben Lloyd.
Having won their last three and full of momentum, Charlton began brightly in South Wales.
Burstow headed wide early on before they took the lead in the 10th minute, when Williams got in behind and neatly slotted home.
The advantage was doubled 11 minutes later thanks to Burstow's looping header after the Swans failed to deal with a free-kick.
The hosts looked to respond at the other end as the impressive Lloyd embarked on a jinking run before rattling the woodwork with a powerful attempt.
But Charlton made it 3-0 just before half-time.
Josh Hutchings clattered into Chin and left the referee with no choice but to award a penalty, which Henry calmly converted.
The visitors thought they had a fourth eight minutes after the restart, but the offside flag denied Burstow.
The Swans, who were improved upon the resumption, pulled a goal back in the 55th minute when Dabrowski applied the finishing touch after substitute Adnaan Moti drilled a dangerous cross to the far post.
But it proved a false dawn for the hosts. Within 60 seconds, Charlton restored their three-goal advantage when Chin slotted home from a neat cutback.
Anthony's side responded well as Cotterill was denied on the line, while Morgan and Moti also went close.
However, Charlton put the game well and truly beyond the hosts on 63 minutes with Burstow latching onto a long ball and firing past Hutchings.
And the rout was complete courtesy of three goals in the final 10 minutes.
Substitute Leaburn netted twice in the space of four minutes from close range, while Campbell drilled past Hutchings in the dying moments.
“At this time of the season, a lot of players are up with the under-23s. Therefore, some of the younger players are having the opportunity to step up to the under-18s," Anthony said.
“We are going to have games where there are going to be challenges – especially with the older players at Charlton. The majority of them were second-year scholars that have played up with their under-23s, so we always knew we were going to face a battle.
“For 15 and 16-year-olds jumping up to the under-18s environment, it’s always a big jump, so it’s about managing that.
“We must look through a different lens when it comes to younger players and their individual development being at the forefront of our thinking.
“We saw good signs from an improvement and development perspective. It was another game of opportunity for the young players to show they can do – albeit for short spells.
“Although the result wasn’t one we wanted, it’s important we zoom through the magnifying glass and really look at the areas where we can support the bright young talents coming through at this club.”
Swans U18s: Josh Hutchings, Panashe Makokowe, Sebastian Dabrowski, Jacob Edwards (capt), Jada Mawonga, Ryan Bassett, Iwan Morgan, Joel Cotterill, Geoff Bony (Tom Stokes, 78), Ben Lloyd, Aaron Hillier (Adnaan Moti, 54).
Subs not used: Tyler Evans, Luke Salter, Ellis Hibbert.
Charlton U18s: James Beadle, Nathan Asilmwe, Kai Garande, Aaron Henry (Karoy Anderson, 67), Nazir Barker, Charlie Barker (Avodeji Elerewe, 61), Jeremy Santos, Richard Chin (capt), Mason Burstow (Miles Leaburn, 75), Evan Williams, Tyreece Campbell.
Subs not used: Oliver Hobden, Mack Reilly.