Report | Swansea City U18s 4 Fleetwood Town U18s 0

Swansea City Under-18s kicked-off their Professional Development League campaign with a handsome victory against 10-man Fleetwood Town at the Joma High Performance Centre. 

A second-half brace from Billy Clarke, an own goal and a Harvey Gray strike secured the perfect start to the league campaign for the Swans in Landore.

The Swans controlled long periods of the first half, enjoying several extended periods of possession, but they ran away with things in the second half following a straight red card for Fleetwood’s Mushi Bamba after a late challenge.

The hosts had opened the contest brightly, with Clarke drifting an effort wide of the post after good work by Callum Jones, and skipper Harlan Perry then forced Harry Ascroft into the first save of the game with a free-kick from distance.

But there were few clear-cut chances over the remainder of the half, although Fleetwood had a good chance early in the second period when Lucas Taylor prodded the ball over the bar from close range.

But the Swans took the lead a minute later, Caio Ifans produced a dangerous ball across the face of goal and Gray was on hand to convert from close range.

Taylor had a chance to level for the visitors shortly after, but again could not find the target as he fired over the crossbar again.

And, when Bamba was given his marching orders, the game moved decisively in Swansea’s favour.

An own goal from a corner extended the hosts’ advantage, with Clarke soon adding a third when he cut in from the right to fire a low shot into the bottom corner of the net, via the inside of the post.

And the scoring was rounded off five minutes from time when substitute Bobby Lewis played in Clarke to slot home his second goal of the contest.

Swansea City U18s: Jakub Nowak, Kaven Bloniarczyk, Caio Ifans, Harlan Perry (Milo Robinson 66’), Brogan Popham, Carter Heywood (Abdulwahab Ojetoro 70’), Billy Clarke, Bobo Evans, Harvey Gray (Milo Robinson 70’), Alfie Jones, Callum Jones (Elis Thomas 75’). 

Unused substitutes: Thomas Wright.

Fleetwood Town U18s: Harry Ascroft, Alessio Ruocco, Ellis Dunne, Harrison Buckley, Kai Cherry (Fawaz Junaid 70’), Mushi, Calum Warbrick, Matthew English(Jensen Stanfield 53’), David Animasaun (Zac Scrivens 75’), Lucas Taylor (Bobby Quinn 75’), Leo Thompson. 

Unused substitutes: Giovanni Minopoli.