Swansea City Under-18s

30th April

Swansea City Under-18s topped their Barclays Premier League Tier 3 merit division with a 2-1 win over Newcastle at Landore on Saturday.
Goals from Liam Cullen and Aaron Lewis helped the scholars end the season unbeaten with four wins and three draws.
Early pressure from the young Swans threatened the Magpies back line with a number of early chances in front of goal.
It did not take long before Swansea took the lead as striker Cullen beat two defenders inside the area before slotting past Nathan Harker on eight minutes.
Cullen could have doubled the lead after 15 minutes only for his shot to hit the side netting before midfielder Tom Dyson volleyed his powerful effort inches over the bar.
Newcastle started to carve out chances but Swans defender Mael Davies cut out Sean Longstaff's effort before Jamie Holmes fired over the bar.
Despite Swansea having the better of the first half chances Newcastle hit back to draw level after 35 minutes with Holmes' powerful strike finding the net.
Cullen went close to retaking the lead soon after only for his ball to flash across the face of goal.

HALF-TIME: Swans U18s 1 Newcastle U18s 1



The young Swans raced out of the blocks to retake the lead two minutes into the second half. Winger Daniel James stole possession before leading a blistering run down the left flank, and when his cross into the box found Aaron Lewis the full-back fired home inside the area.
The scholars had the opportunity to extend the lead when James played in substitute Causso Darame, but his effort was saved by Harker.
In the last quarter of an hour a superb 25-yard free-kick from Lewis forced a one-handed stop from the Magpies keeper to prevent a third Swans goal.
Newcastle continued to push for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Swans captain Lewis Thomas made a vital save to keep out Longstaff's strike from close range.
And despite one last effort from the Magpies, that was again saved by Thomas, the Swans held on to take all three points at Landore.

SWANS U18s: Lewis Thomas (capt), Mael Davies, Ilias Chatzitheodoridis, Joe Rodon, Dan Jefferies, Aaron Lewis, Tom Dyson (Jordan Jones, 67), Liam Cullen, Keiran Evans (Causso Darame, 46), Dan James.
SUBS NOT USED: Marco Dulca, Ross Treacy, Liam Edwards.

NEWCASTLE U18s: Nathan Harker, Stefan Broccoli (Craig Spooner, 70), Ben Kitchen, Jack Hinter, Owen Bailey, Gideon Adu-Peprah, Callum Smith, Sean Longstaff, Luke Charman, Jamie Holmes (Ollie Long, 70), Mackenzie Heaney (Dan Lowther, 70).
SUBS NOT USED: Keaton Marrs.