Report | Swansea City U18s 1 Colchester United U18s 0

14th April
Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy scored the only goal as Swansea City Under-18s overcame in-form Colchester United to secure their first victory under Byron Anthony.

The attacking midfielder bagged the decisive strike in the 25th minute at Landore.

Latching onto Harry Jones' low cross, Murphy took a touch before sweeping home his third goal of the season.

The young Swans were made to work hard in the latter stages against the visitors, who arrived in South Wales off the back of three consecutive wins.

But they held firm with Murphy's first-half strike enough to seal a first clean sheet of the campaign.

Anthony had made three changes from Friday's defeat at Barnsley.

Josh Hutchings replaced Tyler Evans in goal and Jones took Cian Williams' place in defence, while Ben Lloyd was also recalled in midfield.

Top scorer Cameron Congreve had the hosts' first sight on goal, but the midfielder shot over from distance.

At the other end, Hutchings was called into action with smart reflexes to turn away Tom Stagg's snap shot from outside the box.

But the Swans made the breakthrough in the 25th minute.

Murphy, who also found the net in the reverse fixture between the sides, latched onto Jones' low cross, before his shot was too hot for Colchester keeper Ted Collins to handle.

Fresh from scoring 12 goals in their previous three games, the visitors looked to respond before the break.

One of their trialists tested Hutchings from distance, while Stagg hit the side-netting following a strong run down the left flank.

The Swans went close to doubling their lead seven minutes into the second half, as Lloyd rattled the post with a well-struck first-time effort from Morgan Clarke's cross.

Lloyd also shot just wide on the volley following a good cross by the hardworking Iwan Morgan, while substitute Geoff Bony went close with a neat flick later on.

The hosts remained stubborn in defence with a couple of strong blocks as Colchester sought an equaliser.

But they held out for a hugely impressive victory - their first in eight attempts.

Swans U18s: Josh Hutchings; Harry Jones, Scott Butler (capt), Ryan Bassett, Jacob Edwards (Panashe Makokowe, 77); Joel Cotterill, Cameron Congreve, Michael Murphy; Morgan Clarke, Iwan Morgan (Geoff Bony, 69), Ben Lloyd.

Subs not used: Ewan Griffiths, Daniel Watts, Jada Mawongo.

Colchester U18s: Ted Collins, Lordon Akolbire, Trialist, Gene Kennedy (capt), Trialist (Namory Kane, 82), Frankie Terry, Kai Redgrave (Ellis Sullivan, 56), Kacy Parish, Tom Stagg, Ryan Lowe, Darnell Asare-Williams (Bayan Aman, 56).

Subs not used: Endurance Johnson.